Technological efficiency limitations to climate mitigation: why sufficiency is necessary

A key global challenge of the United Nations’ 2015 Paris Agreement is to constrain warming 1.5°C. This critique ‘Buildings Breakthrough’ agenda draws on existing literature and asks whether a technological approach limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from built environment adequate meet Agreement’s objectives. Efforts reduce within this sector have focused upon clean technology (cleantech), e.g. energy, efficiency circularity. Could sufficiency policies with demand-side perspective significant role? Although Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change (IPCC) emphasised that aggressive immediate introduction was necessary attain Agreement, importance in constraining growth building stock (per capita) floor area not yet part policy mix. Such are urgently needed complement cleantech approaches, which form focus so-called ‘Breakthrough Agenda’. The implication for construction Global North shift away new build toward long-term stewardship adaptation environment. For South, accommodate population urbanisation, but requires an emphasising space, services accessibility. Policy relevance direction taken by will critical implications buildings, infrastructure construction, sector’s contribution climate mitigation other challenges. Policies based technologies resource alone likely fall short stated ambitions limit GHG because gains often offset built-up land. Therefore, additional measures material-driven consumption carbon, at forefront. synthesis paper illustrates how principle avoiding reducing demand materials land, hitherto largely overlooked settings, may be applied various scales, ranging urban precincts, buildings.