Buildings contribute 37% of global energy-related emissions, driven by rapid construction growth. To meet global climate goals, the UN estimates a 30% improvement in building energy efficiency is needed by 2030. While advanced energy codes can cut building energy use by 70%, their adoption is slow and uneven. 

The World Bank's new dataset highlights gaps in energy code prevalence and enforcement, showing significant variation in stringency and compliance globally. With the majority of future construction expected in developing economies, standardised, robust regulations are essential.

Decarbonising buildings requires passive design, strong enforcement, and incremental regulatory tightening to achieve net-zero emissions, yielding significant environmental and economic benefits.