Towards Green Building Value Chains: China and Beyond

Buildings account for 37% of global CO2 emissions, necessitating a holistic value-chain approach to decarbonization. The report proposes a vision for 'buildings of tomorrow' characterized by being net zero, nature positive, resilient, and well-being oriented. It identifies 11 priority levers—including green energy supply and the decarbonization of traditional materials—that could offer 80% abatement potential and create a $1.8 trillion global market by 2030. China is highlighted as a critical actor, producing over 50% of the world's steel and concrete. To overcome barriers such as high cost premiums and inconsistent standards, the report recommends aligning global measurements, identifying flagship projects, implementing supportive policies, and engaging start-up communities for technological breakthroughs.

• Buildings are a primary driver of global environmental degradation, contributing 37% of global carbon dioxide emissions and causing habitat loss for 34% of the earth's species due to urban development.
• China holds a dominant position in the global building value chain, accounting for 50% of the world's new construction annually and producing more than 50% of global steel and concrete.
• The report identifies 11 high-priority levers for greening buildings that collectively offer approximately 80% abatement potential and could generate a global market value of $1.8 trillion by 2030, with $0.4 trillion of that in China.
• A holistic vision for future buildings must integrate four key characteristics: net zero (minimizing life-cycle emissions), nature positive (integrating natural elements), resilient (withstanding climate volatility), and well-being oriented (promoting physical and mental health).
• Significant barriers hinder the transition, including a lack of comprehensive global standards, a shortage of flagship projects to mobilize supply chains, and high cost premiums for low-carbon technologies; for 60% of emissions in the value chain, abatement costs exceed $45 per ton of CO2.
• To accelerate the transition, the report advocates for four enabling actions: aligning global standards and measurements, identifying flagship projects, developing policies and incentives to offset cost disadvantages, and engaging start-ups for technological breakthroughs.

APA

World Economic Forum (2024). Towards Green Building Value Chains: China and Beyond. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Towards_Green_Building_Value_Chains_2024.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Towards Green Building Value Chains: China and Beyond. 2024. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Towards_Green_Building_Value_Chains_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Towards Green Building Value Chains: China and Beyond |date=June 2024 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Towards_Green_Building_Value_Chains_2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2024towards, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Towards Green Building Value Chains: China and Beyond}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2024}, month = jun, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Towards_Green_Building_Value_Chains_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }