The New Zealand government unveiled plans for a program which aims to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in the building and construction sector, and potentially futureproofs the built environment against the impacts of climate change.

Initially, the Building for Climate Change program will focus on the expansion of “insulation and glazing requirements in new homes” with the aim of boosting buildings’ warmth, dryness and ventilation. These initiatives are slated for consultation at the start of next year.

In a statement issued Friday, Jenny Salesa, the country’s minister for building and construction, said the scheme would “reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the construction of buildings, and while we are living and working in them.”

In addition, Salesa said it would prepare buildings for what she described as “the ongoing effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures and increased rainfall.”

“It means changing the way we think about building and construction,” she added. “Energy efficiency and carbon emissions will become core considerations when building — just as important as cost and aesthetics.”

While the program will start out by looking at new builds, the government added that it was “likely that changes will also need to be made to existing buildings.”

From office blocks to housing, the structures people live and work in have quite a significant impact on the environment.

According to a recent report from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, International Energy Agency and the UN Environment Programme, building construction and operations were, globally, responsible for 36% of final energy use in 2018.

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