What is the 2030 target for new buildings regarding carbon lifecycle?

The target for new buildings set for 2030 aims for them to be 100% carbon-lifecycle neutral. This goal is rooted in a broader commitment to combat climate change and promote sustainability in the built environment. Achieving carbon-lifecycle neutrality means that the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building over its entire lifecycle, from construction through operation to eventual decommissioning, must be balanced out by equivalent removals or offsets of carbon from the atmosphere.

This ambition reflects an increasing recognition in policies and standards that the construction sector is a significant contributor to global emissions, making it critical to ensure that new buildings not only reduce their operational carbon footprint but also address emissions occurring during material production, transportation, and construction processes. Thus, setting a target of 100% carbon-lifecycle neutral symbolizes a significant and necessary step toward sustainable development, indicting a commitment from policymakers, builders, and stakeholders to strive for the highest standard in reducing environmental impact.