Circular economy in the construction industry pays off
Cologny GE - Forschende des Weltwirtschaftsforums und von McKinsey & Company haben errechnet, dass eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für die bebaute Umwelt 13 Prozent CO2 im Jahr 2030 und 75 Prozent im Jahr 2050 einsparen könnten. Bis 2050 könnte sie Nettogewinne in Höhe von 360 Milliarden Dollar einbringen.
Incorporating the circular economy into building construction and urban planning could significantly reduce carbon emissions, according to a new white paper entitled Building circular: Maximising CO2 abatement and business opportunities: Maximising CO2 abatement and business opportunities). It was published jointly by the World Economic Forum and the consulting firm McKinsey & Company and presented at the annual meeting in Davos.
The built environment currently accounts for around 26 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. The white paper emphasises that by 2030, more sustainable circular approaches to consumption and production could save 13 percent of carbon emissions from the built environment. By 2050, this could be 75 per cent.
This could result in annual net gains of 46 billion dollars by 2030 and 360 billion dollars by 2050. The calculations are based on an analysis of the CO2 footprint of six building materials: Aluminium, cement, glass, plaster, plastic and steel.
“Newly conceived design, technology and innovative business models can significantly reduce waste, conserve resources and unlock economic value,” according to a McKinsey press release. It describes the white paper as a “call to action for leaders in the public and private sectors”. Lighthouses” or pilot projects that demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of circular economy models could also be crucial to the spread of better green building practices.