GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Building Industry Statistics

Building sector emissions reduce through green, sustainable materials and energy efficiency.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The building sector accounts for approximately 39% of CO2 emissions globally

Statistic 2

Green buildings can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%

Statistic 3

About 40% of global energy consumption is used in buildings

Statistic 4

Implementing energy-efficient lighting in buildings can decrease electricity use by up to 50%

Statistic 5

LEED-certified buildings use 25% less energy than conventional buildings

Statistic 6

Urban green roofs can reduce building cooling costs by up to 25%

Statistic 7

Retrofitting old buildings can lead to an energy reduction of up to 40%

Statistic 8

Water efficiency measures can reduce building water use by up to 40-50%

Statistic 9

Smart building technologies can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%

Statistic 10

The use of low-emissivity (Low-E) glass in windows can cut heat transfer by approximately 50%

Statistic 11

Building insulation improvements can reduce heating and cooling energy use by approximately 35%

Statistic 12

Sustainable buildings have been linked to a 10-15% increase in employee productivity and well-being

Statistic 13

The adoption of high-performance windows can decrease HVAC energy use by roughly 20%

Statistic 14

Use of LED lighting in buildings has increased by over 70% in the last decade, significantly reducing energy consumption

Statistic 15

Solar energy for buildings can reduce dependence on fossil fuels by up to 80%, significantly lowering carbon footprints

Statistic 16

The integration of energy storage solutions in sustainable buildings can improve energy efficiency by up to 25%

Statistic 17

Sustainable building projects have seen a 30% reduction in lifecycle costs compared to conventional construction

Statistic 18

Implementing passive solar design can cut heating and cooling energy needs by up to 40%

Statistic 19

Geothermal heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by up to 50%, contributing to sustainable building operations

Statistic 20

Approximately 60% of new construction projects are aiming for sustainability certifications like LEED or BREEAM

Statistic 21

Vertical green walls can improve air quality and reduce urban heat island effects by significant margins

Statistic 22

Integrating urban forests into building design can increase property values by an average of 15-20%, while providing environmental benefits

Statistic 23

Biophilic design in buildings can reduce stress levels and improve health outcomes for occupants

Statistic 24

Sustainable urban transportation integration can reduce citywide emissions by up to 20%, complementing green building efforts

Statistic 25

The use of drone technology in construction can improve planning and reduce waste by up to 20%, aiding sustainability goals

Statistic 26

Nearly 75% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built

Statistic 27

Net-zero carbon buildings are projected to reduce emissions by 1.2 gigatons by 2030

Statistic 28

The global green building materials market is expected to reach USD 506.4 billion by 2027

Statistic 29

The construction industry is responsible for over 11% of global GDP, highlighting its economic importance in sustainability efforts

Statistic 30

Solar photovoltaic systems on buildings can generate up to 20% of their energy needs

Statistic 31

The global market for sustainable urban planning is expected to grow substantially, with estimates of over USD 2 trillion by 2030

Statistic 32

Green certification programs like BREEAM and WELL are increasingly adopted worldwide, with over 50,000 projects certified globally

Statistic 33

The global renovation market is projected to reach USD 4.3 trillion by 2027, emphasizing the importance of sustainable retrofitting

Statistic 34

Around 35% of all new buildings globally are designed with sustainability features, indicating rapid growth in eco-friendly construction

Statistic 35

The global market for green building automation systems is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11% through 2028

Statistic 36

The use of rainwater harvesting systems in buildings can reduce freshwater use by up to 50%, supporting water conservation efforts

Statistic 37

The global biodegradable construction materials market is expected to reach USD 12 billion by 2025, indicating growth in eco-friendly options

Statistic 38

Over 60% of new residential buildings in some countries incorporate sustainability features, indicating a market shift

Statistic 39

Using sustainable building materials can cut embodied carbon by up to 30%

Statistic 40

The use of recycled steel in construction can reduce embodied energy by up to 60%

Statistic 41

Approximately 80% of the waste generated from construction and demolition activities is recyclable

Statistic 42

Adoption of circular economy principles in construction can reduce waste by up to 80%

Statistic 43

The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can lead to 25% material savings and 20% reduction in project costs, supporting sustainable construction

Statistic 44

Embodied energy of building materials accounts for approximately 11-14% of total global energy use, highlighting the importance of sustainable sourcing

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Key Highlights

  • The building sector accounts for approximately 39% of CO2 emissions globally
  • Green buildings can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%
  • About 40% of global energy consumption is used in buildings
  • Nearly 75% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built
  • Using sustainable building materials can cut embodied carbon by up to 30%
  • Net-zero carbon buildings are projected to reduce emissions by 1.2 gigatons by 2030
  • The global green building materials market is expected to reach USD 506.4 billion by 2027
  • Implementing energy-efficient lighting in buildings can decrease electricity use by up to 50%
  • LEED-certified buildings use 25% less energy than conventional buildings
  • Approximately 60% of new construction projects are aiming for sustainability certifications like LEED or BREEAM
  • Urban green roofs can reduce building cooling costs by up to 25%
  • Retrofitting old buildings can lead to an energy reduction of up to 40%
  • The construction industry is responsible for over 11% of global GDP, highlighting its economic importance in sustainability efforts

As the building industry accounts for nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions, transforming our construction practices with sustainable materials, innovative technology, and green certification efforts is not just necessary—it’s imperative for a healthier planet and a smarter future.

Energy Efficiency and Building Performance

  • The building sector accounts for approximately 39% of CO2 emissions globally
  • Green buildings can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%
  • About 40% of global energy consumption is used in buildings
  • Implementing energy-efficient lighting in buildings can decrease electricity use by up to 50%
  • LEED-certified buildings use 25% less energy than conventional buildings
  • Urban green roofs can reduce building cooling costs by up to 25%
  • Retrofitting old buildings can lead to an energy reduction of up to 40%
  • Water efficiency measures can reduce building water use by up to 40-50%
  • Smart building technologies can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%
  • The use of low-emissivity (Low-E) glass in windows can cut heat transfer by approximately 50%
  • Building insulation improvements can reduce heating and cooling energy use by approximately 35%
  • Sustainable buildings have been linked to a 10-15% increase in employee productivity and well-being
  • The adoption of high-performance windows can decrease HVAC energy use by roughly 20%
  • Use of LED lighting in buildings has increased by over 70% in the last decade, significantly reducing energy consumption
  • Solar energy for buildings can reduce dependence on fossil fuels by up to 80%, significantly lowering carbon footprints
  • The integration of energy storage solutions in sustainable buildings can improve energy efficiency by up to 25%
  • Sustainable building projects have seen a 30% reduction in lifecycle costs compared to conventional construction
  • Implementing passive solar design can cut heating and cooling energy needs by up to 40%
  • Geothermal heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by up to 50%, contributing to sustainable building operations

Energy Efficiency and Building Performance Interpretation

With nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions stemming from buildings, embracing green design, smart technologies, and retrofitting measures not only cuts energy use by up to 50%, but also acts as the blueprint for a future where sustainability and productivity go hand in hand—proof that building smarter saves the planet and enhances our well-being.

Green Certifications and Urban Greening

  • Approximately 60% of new construction projects are aiming for sustainability certifications like LEED or BREEAM
  • Vertical green walls can improve air quality and reduce urban heat island effects by significant margins
  • Integrating urban forests into building design can increase property values by an average of 15-20%, while providing environmental benefits

Green Certifications and Urban Greening Interpretation

As the building industry shifts toward sustainability—with nearly 60% of projects seeking certifications, green walls combating urban heat, and urban forests boosting property values—it's clear that going green is not just an eco-friendly choice but a smart investment in our urban future.

Innovative Technologies and Design Strategies

  • Biophilic design in buildings can reduce stress levels and improve health outcomes for occupants
  • Sustainable urban transportation integration can reduce citywide emissions by up to 20%, complementing green building efforts
  • The use of drone technology in construction can improve planning and reduce waste by up to 20%, aiding sustainability goals

Innovative Technologies and Design Strategies Interpretation

Embracing biophilic design, smart transportation, and drone technology, the building industry is not only constructing structures but cultivating a healthier, greener, and more efficient future—proof that sustainability isn't just a goal but a tangible blueprint for progress.

Market Trends and Industry Growth

  • Nearly 75% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built
  • Net-zero carbon buildings are projected to reduce emissions by 1.2 gigatons by 2030
  • The global green building materials market is expected to reach USD 506.4 billion by 2027
  • The construction industry is responsible for over 11% of global GDP, highlighting its economic importance in sustainability efforts
  • Solar photovoltaic systems on buildings can generate up to 20% of their energy needs
  • The global market for sustainable urban planning is expected to grow substantially, with estimates of over USD 2 trillion by 2030
  • Green certification programs like BREEAM and WELL are increasingly adopted worldwide, with over 50,000 projects certified globally
  • The global renovation market is projected to reach USD 4.3 trillion by 2027, emphasizing the importance of sustainable retrofitting
  • Around 35% of all new buildings globally are designed with sustainability features, indicating rapid growth in eco-friendly construction
  • The global market for green building automation systems is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11% through 2028
  • The use of rainwater harvesting systems in buildings can reduce freshwater use by up to 50%, supporting water conservation efforts
  • The global biodegradable construction materials market is expected to reach USD 12 billion by 2025, indicating growth in eco-friendly options
  • Over 60% of new residential buildings in some countries incorporate sustainability features, indicating a market shift

Market Trends and Industry Growth Interpretation

With nearly 75% of 2050's buildings already standing—yet sustainable innovations like net-zero designs projected to cut emissions by 1.2 gigatons and the green building market expected to hit half a trillion dollars by 2027—it's clear that the construction industry is not only vital to our economy, responsible for over 11% of global GDP, but also a pivotal player in steering us toward an eco-friendly future, with solar, rainwater harvesting, biodegradable materials, and green certifications paving the way for a more sustainable urban landscape.

Sustainable Materials and Construction Practices

  • Using sustainable building materials can cut embodied carbon by up to 30%
  • The use of recycled steel in construction can reduce embodied energy by up to 60%
  • Approximately 80% of the waste generated from construction and demolition activities is recyclable
  • Adoption of circular economy principles in construction can reduce waste by up to 80%
  • The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can lead to 25% material savings and 20% reduction in project costs, supporting sustainable construction
  • Embodied energy of building materials accounts for approximately 11-14% of total global energy use, highlighting the importance of sustainable sourcing

Sustainable Materials and Construction Practices Interpretation

Harnessing sustainable materials, recycling aggressively, and leveraging innovative tools like BIM isn’t just eco-friendly—they’re the blueprint for slashing construction’s carbon footprint and waste, proving that smart building is green building.

Sources & References