Towards zero carbon buildings: issues and challenges in the New Zealand construction sector

Abstract

The New Zealand Government has pledged to tackle the impacts of climate change by reducing all greenhouse gases (except biogenic methane) to zero by 2050. The construction sector, which contributes approximately 20% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, needs to reduce its emissions if New Zealand is to meet the net-zero carbon target by 2050. However, critical questions about the feasibility of achieving net-zero carbon targets for the entire building stock remain unanswered. We undertake an exploratory study using seventeen semi-structured interviews with New Zealand’s construction experts to examine the challenges and issues in the construction sector towards Zero Carbon Buildings (ZCBs) in New Zealand. The results illustrate significant challenges to ZCBs, including financial problems, the shortage of knowledge, capacity and capability, the insufficiency of legislation, and cultural barriers. The most crucial concern is the ability of New Zealand’s construction sector to deliver ZCBs across the value chain. The study sheds new insight into barriers to ZCBs globally by identifying comprehensive challenges related to whole-of-life building carbon reduction. We suggest the government and construction sectors must prioritise knowledge development and exchange as critical support mechanisms to enable a future towards ZCBs.