As the building and construction sector has a significant impact, both in positive and negative terms, on society and environment, UNEP considers it as a key sector for sustainable development. This sector represents over 111 million people directly employed worldwide and at the time responsible for the built environment contribution to global environmental issues such as water use (20%), energy use (25-40%), solid waste generation (30-40%), global greenhouse gas emission (30-40%) in each country.

The situation in the areas of key concern, like production of construction materials, use and recycling, consumption of hazardous materials, integration of buildings with other infrastructure and social systems, has not passed unnoticed. The building and construction sector is increasingly under pressure from authorities and the public to address environmental and social issues. In response to these demands UNEP is working on the development of baselines for the sector to contribute to developing a common and well-understood approach, through the implementation of the pilot projects and interactions with other stakeholders (public, governmental, financial and international). SBC Forum 2002-2004.

EU Asia Pro Eco Project on SBC