Getting to Zero in Latin America: Decarbonizing the Building Sector by 2050

Abstract

Looking forward, the decarbonization of the building sector will be particularly important to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. In Latin America, operational carbon from buildings, which results from the energy needed to operate systems and appliances, accounts for 21 percent of total carbon emissions. Embodied carbon, which results from all the emissions associated with building materials and construction processes, accounts for 11 percent of total carbon emissions. Thus, achieving net-zero carbon emissions in buildings will require a range of actions, policies, and technologies that reduce both operational and embodied carbon. In Latin America, the IDB is uniquely suited to support countries formulate national and local climate plans—and deploy projects related to the building sector—that are consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This report aims to inform the IDB on a range of strategies inside and outside the building sector that could achieve significant reductions in buildings' operational and embodied carbon.