Almost all of the conversation on the impact of buildings on the environment is about building energy efficiency – how much energy the house consumes during its use phase. But that leaves out other just as significant parts – energy embodied in the materials and their reuse/recyclability. According to the 2019 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, almost 40 percent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions are from the buildings and construction sector. So it makes sense for an environmentally aware home buyer or builder to weigh in the environmental impact besides the financial costs of the project.
According to head of United Nations Environment Programme Cities Unit, Martina Otto: