Sustainable cityscapes transformed through global building renovation by 2070, showcasing green environments and reduced carbon emissions.

Building a Better Future: How Global Renovation Can Combat Climate Change by 2070

Jordan Keane in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the untapped potential of building renovations worldwide, projecting significant reductions in carbon emissions and a sustainable path forward."

The relentless march of climate change demands innovative and comprehensive solutions. While renewable energy and sustainable transportation often dominate headlines, a less-discussed but equally critical area lies within the buildings that surround us. Buildings account for a staggering one-third of global carbon emissions, making the need for sustainable building practices more urgent than ever.

A groundbreaking study highlights the transformative potential of global building renovations in combating climate change. Researchers forecast that by strategically renovating existing building stocks, we can unlock significant environmental benefits, paving the way for a more sustainable future. This approach not only addresses carbon emissions but also reshapes our understanding of construction and energy consumption on a global scale.

This article delves into the key findings of this research, exploring how prioritizing renovations over new construction can dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. By focusing on renovations, we can unlock hidden potential within our existing infrastructure, contributing to a greener, more sustainable world for generations to come.

Unlocking Renovation Potential: The GLOBUS Model

Sustainable cityscapes transformed through global building renovation by 2070, showcasing green environments and reduced carbon emissions.

At the heart of this study is the GLOBUS model, a global building stock model designed to incorporate the dynamics of building turnover and renovation. This model examines various scenarios, including non-renovation (NR), business-as-usual (BAU), and techno-economic potential (TEP), to forecast building stock trends across 14 major economies from 2000 to 2070.

The GLOBUS model's projections reveal the significant impact of renovation on global building stocks. Without renovation (NR scenario), building floorspace is expected to increase steadily. However, when renovation is factored in (BAU and TEP scenarios), the outcomes differ drastically, especially in rapidly developing economies like India and Africa.

Reduced Carbon Emissions: Prioritizing renovations significantly lowers the embodied and operational carbon emissions associated with buildings.
Resource Conservation: Renovation preserves existing habitable floorspace, reducing the demand for new construction and demolition.
Economic Benefits: Strategic renovation can stimulate economic growth by creating jobs and fostering innovation in sustainable building technologies.

The research underscores the importance of integrating renovation strategies into climate action plans. By embracing renovation, we can optimize resource use, minimize environmental impact, and create more resilient and sustainable communities.

A Blueprint for a Sustainable Future

The GLOBUS model offers a compelling vision for a sustainable future, highlighting the crucial role of building renovation in achieving global climate goals. By embracing strategic renovation practices, we can significantly reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, and foster resilient communities. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also unlocks economic opportunities and promotes social well-being. As we move towards 2070, prioritizing building renovation will be essential in building a better, more sustainable world for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2406.04074,

Title: Estimation Of Global Building Stocks By 2070: Unlocking Renovation Potential

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Shufan Zhang, Minda Ma, Nan Zhou, Jinyue Yan, Wei Feng, Ran Yan, Kairui You, Jingjing Zhang, Jing Ke

Published: 06-06-2024

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary focus for combating climate change as highlighted in the research?

The research emphasizes the crucial role of building renovations in combating climate change. It suggests that strategically renovating existing buildings can significantly reduce carbon emissions and reshape our approach to construction and energy consumption. It highlights the potential of building renovation to achieve global climate goals.

How does the GLOBUS model work, and what are its key applications?

The GLOBUS model is a global building stock model designed to incorporate the dynamics of building turnover and renovation. It examines various scenarios, including non-renovation (NR), business-as-usual (BAU), and techno-economic potential (TEP), to forecast building stock trends across 14 major economies from 2000 to 2070. The model's projections reveal the significant impact of renovation on global building stocks and its influence on reducing carbon emissions and promoting resource conservation.

What are the key benefits of prioritizing building renovations?

Prioritizing building renovations offers several key benefits. It significantly reduces both the embodied and operational carbon emissions associated with buildings. It conserves existing habitable floorspace, which reduces the demand for new construction and demolition, thereby conserving resources. Strategic renovation also stimulates economic growth by creating jobs and fostering innovation in sustainable building technologies.

How does the GLOBUS model's projection differ between renovation and non-renovation scenarios?

The GLOBUS model highlights the stark difference between renovation and non-renovation scenarios. Without renovation (NR scenario), building floorspace is expected to increase steadily. However, when renovation is factored in (BAU and TEP scenarios), the outcomes differ drastically, especially in rapidly developing economies like India and Africa. The renovation scenarios show a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a more sustainable path for the future.

Beyond environmental impact, what other advantages does building renovation offer?

Besides the positive environmental impact, building renovation offers several advantages. It can stimulate economic growth by creating jobs in the sustainable building sector. It promotes innovation in sustainable building technologies, leading to advancements in construction and energy efficiency. Furthermore, it optimizes resource use and contributes to the creation of more resilient and sustainable communities, enhancing social well-being.