A policy and roadmap review for building sector decarbonisation - insights from Australia and New Zealand

The building and construction industry contributes to 37% of global annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In comparison to year 2020, global building operations related carbon emissions showed an increment of 5%. In 2015, the Paris Agreement was put in action, with global leaders pledging to limit global temperature increase below 1.5°C. To achieve these set targets, countries have established Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Net Zero Carbon (NZC) targets, pathways and roadmaps towards building sector decarbonisation. However, while some countries are in the forefront, making significant progress, the others are lagging. Australia's Climate Change Act aims to reduce net GHG emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by year 2023, and to zero by 2050. New Zealand has committed to NZC emissions by 2050, through the Climate Change Response Amendment Act in 2019. Formulation of successful building sector decarbonization targets and pathways are context dependent due to varying climatic, economic, cultural and regulatory aspects. This study evaluates, compares and summarizes the decarbonization targets, roadmaps, policies, practices and initiatives in Australia and New Zealand. It presents an understanding of the building sector decarbonization status of Australia and New Zealand, while providing implications for research, practice and society towards achieving building sector decarbonization.