With the building and construction industry responsible for almost 40% of global CO2 emissions, it is imperative that the efforts to meet the Paris Agreement engage the industry adequately. There is immense opportunity in mitigating the projected emissions from buildings and urban infrastructure as 70% of the infrastructure needs anticipated for 2050 are not yet constructed. GGGI emphasises the scaled transition of buildings and urban infrastructure towards lower carbon, less carbon intensive forms as a priority in the 2030 Strategy.

Global warming is expected to reduce industrial productivity significanlty by 2030. The ILO predicts that by 2030 global warming will significantly decrease work productivity resulting in a 2.2%. Industrial workers in hotter regions with large numbers of low wage workers will be hit worst with as much as 5% of all working hours to be lost in South Asia for example. Greening industrial buildings is critical to reduce the impact of heat stress in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation. There are a range of active and passive measures which will allow factories to reduce costs to maintain safe, acceptable working conditions for the most vulnerable in the global workforce.