Paths to carbon neutrality in China’s building sector

The building sector is one of the three major sectors of energy consumption (industry, transportation and building), and one of the main areas of responsibility for direct and indirect carbon emissions. Strive to achieve carbon emission peaks by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, this is a clear goal and timetable set by Chinese government on low carbon development. Carbon neutrality in building sector means zero emissions, which means that the carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions caused by activities in building sector equal to zero. Analyses the direct emissions of building operation phase, indirect emissions of building operation phase, indirect emissions of building construction and maintenance phase and non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions of building operation phase in China. Points out the current status, main sources and key issues of building sector’s emission, and finally provides paths and key technologies to achieve zero carbon in China’s building sector. Emphasizes that “the development concept of ecological civilization is the basis for achieving carbon neutrality”, and indicates four major tasks for China to achieve carbon neutrality in the building sector: eliminate direct carbon emissions, contribute to reduce indirect emission from electricity and heat supply, reduce emission from construction material production and transportation, and prevent refrigerant leakage from building cooling systems. The revolutionary changes in these four fields and the application of key low-carbon technologies should be promoted, and the technological progress and leapfrog development of China’s construction industry should be promoted through the realization of the carbon neutrality goal.