ABSTRACT
Global energy consumption is a function of three factors: the number of consumers, their demand for services and the efficiency with which the services are provided. Buildings account for around 40% of global energy consumption and will therefore have to be a major part of the energy solution. The radiative forcing of the climate system, which causes global warming, is dominated by increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, primarily due to carbon dioxide from human activities. While the scientific understanding of this is well-established, the global warming and cooling effects due to other factors, including black carbon, cloud albedo and aerosols is less well understood. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to buildings, manufacturing and transportation requires a reduction in energy consumption and an increase in alternative energy sources. Energy consumption in buildings globally is predicted to double.
