While global emissions from buildings have stopped rising for the first time since 2020, experts warn that reliance on certifications instead of smart energy tech risks stalling progress.
The UN Environment Programme¹ and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction² have released a new report titled “Not Just Another Brick in The Wall: The Solutions Exist.”
It gives hope to reach decarbonisation goals, as emissions from the building sector have stopped rising for the first time since 2020.
However, energy experts caution that while progress is tangible, the building sector is not using its full decarbonisation potential–smart energy solutions exist but remain underutilised.
“It’s encouraging to see emissions plateau, but this isn’t enough,” says Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio, a company that implements AI-based energy efficiency tools in commercial buildings. “Novel AI-based tools that optimise energy are available, but the real issue is adoption. We have to ask ourselves if we are truly moving towards net-zero in buildings, or are we just issuing more certificates that supposedly show that the building is energy efficient?”
According to the UN report, green building certifications are gaining momentum. A 20% increase in newly certified commercial buildings in OECD countries is noted, and global certification programs like EDGE, BREEAM, and LEED continue to expand, together with regional green labels.
Karčiauskas is keen to state that there is a catch with green certifications.
He says, “They don’t always reflect actual greenhouse gas reductions. Certifications focus on how a building is designed but not how it performs in the long run. Furthermore, if companies rely too much on carbon offsets instead of reducing actual emissions, pollution still happens where the business operates. We need to integrate smart solutions on-site to retain the progress.”
The report confirms that many technologies remain underutilised, and only a small percentage of builders and countries have adopted them.
Automated controls or digital tracking tools are far from mainstream, with only a few countries incorporating them so far. This shows there’s still a lot of untapped potential when it comes to making buildings truly future-ready.
“Too many buildings receive ‘green’ status based on initial design rather than real-world performance,” explains Karčiauskas. “What matters is how efficiently a building operates over time. Real-time energy tracking and AI-driven optimisation are the only ways to ensure that a building is contributing to emission reductions and doesn’t just create a facade of sustainability.”
Certain smart energy technologies are on the rise. Tools like demand response systems and energy management software help optimise consumption and lower peak demand, and report claims that digital tools are becoming popular too–40% of large construction firms are now using building information modelling to enhance energy efficiency during the design phase.
Despite that, the transition has some challenges. Heat pump installations, for instance, declined by 3% compared to previous years because both businesses and governments started searching for other heating alternatives.
As the report notes, stricter building energy codes are one critical lever for achieving energy efficiency in new buildings. They would better reflect real energy operations in buildings when they start operating, not before that.
To achieve that, smart features that allow buildings to interact more effectively with the grid are important. Updated codes should also cover minimum standards for insulation, system efficiency, and overall energy performance.
However, according to Karčiauskas, setting the right standards is one thing and meeting them in the real world is another. That’s where implementation through technology becomes essential.
Exergio proved that AI can help bring both new and existing buildings to the standards of sustainability targets. The company showcased that wireless CO2 sensors can also optimise indoor air quality, and enable efficient airflow and temperature adjustments.
For the Vilnius shopping mall “Ozas” in Lithuania, these upgrades helped reduce electricity consumption by 29% and heat usage for HVAC systems by 36%, translating to around €1 million in cost savings.
“The solution for unsustainable buildings is real-time optimisation. AI-based tools can make those buildings efficient by continuously analysing data from sensors, occupancy levels, and weather forecasts to adjust heating, cooling, and lighting systems automatically.
“These systems can detect anomalies like equipment inefficiencies or energy leaks and quickly intervene to prevent waste. Moving from static certifications and embracing adaptive energy management can accelerate progress toward net zero,” concluded Karčiauskas.
According to the International Energy Agency, the building sector remains the top contributor to the climate crisis, consuming 30% of global energy and accounting for 26% of global CO2 emissions.
References:
¹ https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/47214
² https://globalabc.org/
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