subjectEmissions Drivers
These graphs show the changes in Buildings emissions drivers in China, the EU, and the US
United States
Contribution of key drivers to increase or decrease of annual buildings emissions
Growth in population and floor space per person were the largest drivers of buildings emissions. In the late 2000's, energy efficiency gains caught up with slowing floor space growth.
European Union
Impacts of drivers on residential emissions
Population increase and smaller households- which led to more buildings and total floorspace —increased residential emissions. However, these factors were more than offset by increases in energy efficiency and renewable energy and a shift to electricity from other fuel sources.
Particularly in urban residences, electronics and appliances became a significant end use, more than offsetting efficiency improvements in heating. Appliance use contributed to the increase in share of electricity in energy, as did the shift away from coal use.
Urban residential growth was the primary driver of growth in energy usage, which in turn was the primary cause of increasing emissions, with commercial building energy use contributing a small increase.