It has been well documented that buildings make a considerable contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and are accountable for a significant percentage of overall energy consumption. Indeed, they are said to account for 30% of all carbon emissions and 40% of energy use worldwide. Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that the world is “way off track” in terms of meeting targets to limit global warming as the signs of a climate emergency grow more damaging. Certainly, the agency has warned urgent and far-reaching climate action is needed if the World is to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 °C, as required under the international Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Progressive Climate change targets (up to 2050) have been set, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy, as well as improvements in energy efficiency – all pertinent to the built environment. Consequently, the design and construction industries face extraordinary sustainability challenges in order to achieve much needed energy savings while minimising environmental impacts. Addressing the complex and multifaceted challenges of sustainable development will require a robust framework, supported by everyone involved in design and construction, including their extensive supply chains. In this Special Issue, we would like to encourage original contributions regarding recent developments in and approaches to environmental and sustainable decision making for reducing energy consumption in the built environment, including innovative responses to energy reduction policies; measures being put in place to support adaption to low/zero carbon built environments; as well as strategies for embedding climate change resilience in both new-build and in the reimagining of existing buildings.
Keywords: Active buildings; Building energy systems; Climate change adaption; Climate change resilience; District heating/cooling; Energy reduction; Energy capture and storage; Environmental buildings; Integrated systems; Low carbon; Near-zero carbon; Passive design; Renewable energies; Sustainable technologies; Zero carbon.