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Zero-Carbon Buildings: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) calls for whole life-cycle integration in urban policy
Publication
Zero-Carbon Buildings: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) calls for whole life-cycle integration in urban policy
The OECD places whole life-cycle carbon at the heart of the urban climate agenda with its new report on zero-carbon buildings. The publication reinforces the role of local governments in the transition towards a more sustainable built environment, offering concrete strategies and best practices.
Editorial Team
The report 'Zero-Carbon Buildings in cities: A whole life-cycle approach' highlights the urgent need to address carbon emissions across the entire life cycle of buildings, encompassing both operational and embodied carbon, the latter generated before buildings are even in use.
Based on a global survey of 18 countries and cities, the study identifies effective strategies, best practices, and concrete recommendations for policymakers at all levels, aiming to close a critical gap in sustainable building policies.
By focusing on integrated and scalable approaches, the report provides tools to accelerate the shift towards zero-carbon buildings. It also underscores the importance of international cooperation and knowledge exchange as catalysts for change, particularly in a context where many countries still lack quantifiable targets and dedicated monitoring mechanisms for the sector.
Aligning local action with global climate neutrality commitments, the publication issues a clear call to embed whole life-cycle carbon into both urban and national climate policies.
