What It Takes to Go Net Zero: Why Aren’t We There Yet?

GANEM, CAROLINA; BAREA, GUSTAVO; ANDREONI, SOLEDAD

Towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions in the Building Industry, Innovative Renewable Energy

Springer

Año: 2023; p. 1 - 19

Carbon neutrality in the built environment can be achieved by lowering energy consumption with energy efficiency measures in the entire life cycle of a building and, at the same time, by generating energy from renewable sources to cover the baseline energy demand. This chapter discusses four key challenges to achieve net zero in the building industry: (1) the global challenge referred to climate change and future climates according to the 6th IPCC report, (2) the technical challenge related mainly to the achievement of net zero energy parameters in new and existing buildings and the difficulties to certify energy efficiency in a massive attempt. (3) The social challenge contending with the human angle of net zero perception and commitment (different net zero configurations imply different system and lifestyle changes and strongly depend on people supporting and adopting these changes) (4) the future challenge in the next transition from the building itself to a low carbon community and energy-positive buildings. The final discussion addresses the issue of how dealing with lowering carbon and energy must link us all together: Real progress is frozen until a solution is found that works for (almost) everyone at (almost) the same time