Deploying Established Climate Technologies and Solutions for Buildings and Infrastructure

Buildings and infrastructure account for nearly 40% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. For developing countries, especially SIDS and LDCs, the urgency to transform these sectors is most apparent in their vulnerabilities to climate risks such as extreme heat, flooding, and resource scarcity. Addressing these challenges requires a dual focus on mitigation—reducing operational and embodied carbon—and adaptation—enhancing resilience to climate extremes.

Despite their potential, the adoption of climate technologies faces significant barriers. High upfront costs deter investments, especially in resource-constrained economies. Inadequate policy frameworks and non-existent or outdated building codes fail to incentivise or enforce sustainable practices.

This policy brief is intended for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and development organisations. Policymakers create incentives and ensure equity; industry stakeholders implement sustainable, cost-effective solutions; and development organisations provide expertise, funding, and capacity building to support decarbonization and resilience.