Did you know that the buildings around us impact our planet’s health more than we think?
Just using electricity inside the building ¬– from lighting and air conditioning to heating systems – accounts for more than a quarter of annual carbon dioxide emissions globally. And if you add new construction, the figure climbs even higher.

In 2024, global energy-related CO₂ emissions surged to a record high of 37.8 gigatonnes. Building operations alone were responsible for 27% of those emissions, rising by another 6% when new construction is included. The good news is that change is possible – by rethinking how we design, build and use our buildings in more sustainable ways.

Experts gather to discuss climate-smart building solutions for Thailand’s cities

In May 2025, leading Thai and international experts in sustainable construction and climate resilience joined a knowledge-sharing forum entitled ‘Building the Future: Innovative Materials and Climate-Resilient Building Design for Net Zero Cities’. The event was organised by GIZ Thailand though the Urban-Act project in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT) and took place at the DPT on Rama VI Road. The discussion focused on advancing sustainable building development while preparing for climate change impacts.

Dr Thanit Jaisaard, Director of the Building Control and Inspection Division, DPT, mentioned the purpose of this knowledge session: “As the lead agency for promoting sustainable urban development, the DPT recognises that advancing knowledge in innovative building materials and climate-resilient design is a vital step toward achieving net-zero cities. These efforts are essential to improving building standards and urban planning in alignment with national climate policies and sustainable development goals.”

Tobias Sautter, a senior researcher at Germany’s Öko-Institut, highlighted the urgent need to adopt green building practices, noting that the construction industry consumes massive amounts of materials – particularly cement. In 2021 alone, cement production was responsible for over 7% of global carbon emissions (nearly 2.9 billion tons). While the figures are alarming, solutions exist. Constructive green building design, combining efficient technologies and renewable energy integration, can reduce energy by 40-80% compared to conventional construction.

Professor Atch Sreshthaputra, PhD, Head of the Department of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University and President of the Thai Green Building Institute (TGBI), presented pathways for achieving net-zero carbon buildings in Thailand. A case study using the Faculty of Architecture building demonstrated that replacing glass as a material could significantly reduce carbon emissions. However, wastewater management and government support through tools like ‘environment taxonomy’ and green loans drive progress toward net-zero goals.

Ankit Bhalla from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India, introduced the GRIHA building rating system, which focuses on three main aspects: reducing water and electricity consumption, applying passive design to suit the surrounding environment and context, and incorporating sustainable technologies and materials through active design, combined with renewable energy integration. This approach enables buildings to adapt to changing environmental conditions while conserving energy.

Mr Bhalla also presented case studies showcasing techniques of master planning and materials choices that effectively reduce carbon emissions – both embodied and operational carbon.

ReBuilt Annual Meeting 2024 in Bali, Indonesia (Photo courtesy of Bauhaus Earth)

Diana Barrera-Salazar and Tino Imsirovic from the ReBuilt project, through Bauhaus Earth, Germany, shared approaches to building in Bhutan and Indonesia that integrate traditional building practices with modern sustainability principles. These include nature-based solutions and initiatives that support local ecosystems.

Mitchell Gilles-Schouchana from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), through the Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) ASEAN Programme, and Rio Jon Piter Silitonga from the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) presented an overview of regional efforts to promote net-zero carbon building standards in Southeast Asia. Their work supports the exchange of best practices, the development of climate-resilient buildings and the alignment of policies among ASEAN member states to accelerate sustainable buildings across the region.

Green buildings offer lasting value despite higher upfront costs

Although green buildings typically incur 2-8% higher upfront costs compared to conventional construction, they offer long-term benefits and value. Research by Mr Sautter revealed that sustainable buildings can increase asset values by 7-18%, for example, by generating higher rental rates, while also reducing energy and maintenance costs. He emphasised that rather than focusing on upfront costs, it is crucial to consider the long-term benefits of a building over a 30-60-year lifespan, which far outweigh the initial investment.

Global policy models drive market shifts toward sustainable building practices

Illustration of a Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB), showcasing key energy-efficient features such as roof insulation, solar panels, smart thermostats and high-performance appliances – part of the EU’s strategy to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector

The discussion also heightened successful policy approaches from around the world, such as the Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) standards in Europe, Germany’s mandatory building codes for new construction, and mandatory Energy Performance Certificates in the European Union, which enables buyers and tenants to access transparent information about a building’s energy use.

These policies demonstrate how governments can drive the market toward sustainable construction. At the same time, green public procurement policies can raise standards for government buildings and stimulate demand for environmentally responsible construction.

Solutions exist – what’s needed is coordinated action

The knowledge session concluded with discussions on the next steps to apply these approaches in Thailand. The lessons learned serve as a roadmap for building cities that can adapt to climate change while remaining environmentally friendly in the long term. Green building construction not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates new economic opportunities for Thailand’s construction sector.