South Africa’s buildings and construction sector, which includes the operation of residential and commercial buildings, in addition to construction, accounts for about 7% of South Africa’s direct emissions. To achieve net zero, the sector will need to decarbonise. However, the sector also faces the dual challenges of ensuring physical resilience, as South Africa is forecasted to be one of the region’s most severely impacted by the effects of climate change; and addressing severe housing inequality, with a shortfall of about 2.1-million homes and unequal access to public infrastructure such as water and sanitation. Engineering News, 23 August 2023.
