Technology

Major new ETC report presents complete picture of global buildings sector emissions and pathways to decarbonisation

Published

1 year ago

February 4, 2025

LONDON, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The latest report from the Energy Transitions Commission, Achieving Zero-Carbon Buildings: Electric, Efficient and Flexible, draws a complete picture of the buildings sector’s emissions and energy use and describes how a combination of electric, efficient and flexible solutions can decarbonise buildings, improve standards of living, and reduce energy bills if supported by ambitious policy.

The global buildings sector currently contributes a third of greenhouse gas emissions (12.3 GtCO2 in 2022).[1] This comes from the use of fossil fuels for heating, cooling, cooking, lighting, powering appliances, and constructing residential and commercial buildings.

There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for decarbonisation, as different solutions work for different building types, countries, and climates, but three key priorities stand out for creating a zero-carbon dioxide emissions buildings sector:

Electrification replacing fossil fuels: Decarbonising heating and cooking is essential. Currently, gas and oil heating accounts for 8% of global emissions, or 3 GtCO2. Switching from fossil-based heating and cooking to cost-effective electric and efficient technologies, such as heat pumps and electric hobs, is crucial and must be accompanied by the continued decarbonisation of electricity generation. By 2050, 80% of the energy used in buildings could be electricity; this would bring annual emissions from building use close to zero if electricity supply is decarbonised by then.Dramatically improving energy efficiency: Rising use of air conditioners and the electrification of heating and cooking would result in electricity demand for buildings almost tripling, from 12,800 TWh to around 35,000 TWh by 2050 if energy efficiency is not simultaneously increased. But this could be reduced to around 18,500 TWh via a combination of:
– Improvements in the technical efficiency of heat pumps, air conditioners, and other appliances.
– Improvements in the energy efficiency of both new and existing buildings, considering a range of so-called “passive heating and cooling” building design techniques, such as insulation and painting roofs white in hot countries.
– Smart building management systems and consumer choices which avoid wasteful use of heating or cooling.

These improvements, together with the deployment of building-level batteries and other energy storage, smart building control systems, and rooftop solar generation are particularly important for reducing the growth of peak electricity demand, which is a crucial driver of electricity system costs.Constructing efficient and low-carbon buildings: Constructing new buildings accounts for 7% of global emissions a year, or 2.5 GtCO2. Global floor area (area covered by buildings) is set to expand by 55% by 2050 (or 140 billion m2, which is almost 150 times the size of Hong Kong), predominantly in Asia, Africa and South America. If the average carbon intensity of construction remains unchanged, this expansion would result in a cumulative 75 GtCO2 emissions between now and 2050.[2] These cumulative emissions could be reduced to around 30 GtCO2 via a combination of:
– Decarbonising the production of steel, cement, concrete, and other building materials.
– Using fewer materials in building construction via lightweight design and modular construction or using less carbon-intensive materials such as timber.
– Better utilising existing buildings via extended building lifetimes and shared working spaces.

“Decarbonising the buildings sector is a story of many transitions. It’s vital for our climate goals and it’s an opportunity to improve living standards and reduce energy costs. Electric heating and cooking technologies will significantly improve air quality and have lower running costs than gas heating and traditional use of biomass. Cooling is essential to quality of life, especially as global warming intensifies due to man-made emissions. It is possible to achieve zero-emissions, efficient, and flexible homes with low-carbon building design techniques and technology that runs on clean electricity.” said Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission.

However, implementing some of the decarbonisation options for buildings poses more complex challenges than faced in other sectors of the economy, for instance:

For existing buildings, residential and commercial building owners can choose from many different low-carbon technologies and options to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, some of which can be disruptive and involve high upfront costs (e.g., roof or wall insulation, new windows, higher-efficiency heating and ventilation systems). The availability and cost of finance vary greatly between low and high-income households and across countries. Government policies must therefore combine clear targets to ban the sale of fossil-fuel boilers and cookers, with financial support for low-income families, as well as external finance (e.g., from multilateral development banks) to lower-income countries. For new construction, specific optimal solutions vary by country, regional climate, and building type, and there are sometimes trade-offs to be struck between designing to minimise construction emissions versus in-use operational emissions. In addition, construction sectors often entail complex value chains of subcontracting and a large role for small and medium enterprises. Careful design and implementation of building design and construction codes, learning from international experience but tailored to specific circumstances is therefore vital.

“Unless we can radically decarbonise buildings we will fail to keep global warming under 1.5°C outlined in the Paris Accord. To do that we need to make changes all the way through the design, delivery and operation of buildings – from electrification of heating and passive cooling, to reducing embodied carbon emissions for new buildings and refurbishments.” said Stephen Hill, Sustainability and Building Performance Expert at Arup. “This will require collaboration right across sector, between governments, industry bodies and private companies. We need to be ambitious, but if we get it right we can cut carbon, generate value for our economy and improve people’s quality of life through action like improving living conditions and reducing fuel poverty.”

Given the complexity of the buildings sector decarbonisation challenge, the report sets out a detailed analysis of 7 different, though overlapping, challenges. Summaries of the nature of the problem, clean technologies, and actions required can be accessed via the links below:

Topic

Key audience

The heating decarbonisation challenge (focus on Northern latitude countries)
How electric heating and cost-effective insulation can displace fossil fuels.

Policymakers, residential households, energy and technology companies,
financial institutions

Increasing access to affordable cooling Managing rising demand in a warming
climate with a combination of passive cooling and efficient air conditioning

Policymakers, residential and commercial building owners

Improving access to clean cooking Eliminating the traditional use of biomass in
low-income countries and shifting to electric cooking solutions globally.

Policymakers, residential homeowners

Efficient lighting and appliances Improving the energy efficiency of lighting and
appliances in residential and commercial buildings.

Commercial building owners, technology companies

Decarbonising commercial buildings Creating strong market demand signals
for low-carbon, efficient, and flexible buildings.

Policymakers, financial institutions, building owners, commercial
businesses

Buildings within a clean energy system Managing total and peak electricity
demand from buildings via efficiency and flexibility.

Policymakers, energy companies and network operators

The new build opportunity Decarbonising steel and cement, combined with
better building techniques

Policymakers, developers, construction companies, financial institutions

“Buildings are responsible for one-third of the world’s carbon emissions. Harnessing the power of electrification, on-site generation, digital controls, IoT, big data and digital twins can make a net zero-carbon future in our built environment possible. Incorporating these technologies into new constructions or retrofitting existing buildings benefits the planet as well as the safety, resilience, and comfort of our buildings.” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman of Schneider Electric.

“WorldGBC mobilises a global network towards the just transition of the built environment for people and planet. We are proud to support this ETC report. It is a timely reminder of the connection between buildings and the energy system. The two are intrinsically linked – we cannot decarbonise one without the other.” said Cristina Gamboa, CEO of World Green Building Council (WorldGBC).

“A comprehensive, informative and crucial contribution to advance climate action, this ETC report on building decarbonization provides a holistic and pragmatic view of how the building sector can transition to a low-carbon future. A must-read for policymakers and industry leaders alike, the report’s regional approach ensures tailored solutions and valuable insights from best practice to turn ambition into action.” said Roxanna Slavcheva, Global Lead for Built Environment at World Resources Institute (WRI).

Achieving Zero-Carbon Buildings: Electric, Efficient and Flexible has been developed in collaboration with ETC members from across industry, financial institutions, and civil society. The ETC is a global coalition of leaders from across the energy landscape committed to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century whose members include Arup, bp, HSBC, Iberdrola, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Petronas, Saint Gobain, Schneider Electric, Shell, SSE, Rabobank, Vattenfall, We Mean Business, and World Resources Institute. This report constitutes a collective view of the ETC, however, it should not be taken as members agreeing with every finding or recommendation.

Download the report: https://www.energy-transitions.org/publications/achieving-zero-carbon-buildings

For further information on the ETC please visit: https://www.energy-transitions.org

[1] IEA (2023), Buildings, available at www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings.
[2] Forster et al. (2024), Indicators of Global Climate Change 2023: annual update of key indicators of the state of the climate system and human influence.

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Technology

AI-Powered Connectivity: APAC Charts a Path to a Smarter Digital Future

Published

10 minutes ago

July 18, 2026

Asia-Pacific’s first Broadband Development Summit brings regulators and operators to Bangkok to set the agenda

BANGKOK, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Government officials, standards bodies and telecom operators gathered in Bangkok on 14 July for the inaugural Broadband Development Summit APAC 2026, convened by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) to build consensus on AI-era networks.

Participants included the ITU, Thailand’s National Board of the Digital Economy and Society, WBBA, IAB, FNCAP, WAA, NIDA and the IPv6 Council, alongside operators Telkomsel, XLSmart, Surge, Globe, AIS, CMI and HKT and Huawei.

Denny Deng, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Carrier Business, envisions a “faster, smarter, greener” Asia-Pacific.

VOICES FROM THE SUMMIT

“To seize the opportunities of the AI era, we call on the industry to accelerate broadband evolution, advance computing-network synergy, and strengthen the cross-border connectivity. Together, let us build faster, smarter, and greener digital infrastructure for Asia-Pacific.”
— Denny Deng, President of Asia Pacific Carrier Business, Huawei

“High-speed broadband is no longer just about ‘getting online’ — it is the vital infrastructure upon which the entire AI revolution is being built. We view AI not merely as a tool, but as a primary engine for national competitiveness and a catalyst for improving the quality of life for all.”
— Wetang Phuangsup, Ph.D., Secretary-General, the National Board of the Digital Economy and Society, Thailand

“Three initiatives define the road to 2030. We must close the quality divide so the value of broadband reaches everyone. We must build AI-ready networks — 10G access, 800GE cores, intelligence end to end. And we must do it together, through shared standards.”
— Martin Creaner, Director General of WBBA

“Moving towards next-generation networks, network architectures must continue to evolve to deliver broader connectivity, superior quality, enhanced security, and greater intelligence. This evolution is essential for Net5.5G, positioning the network not simply as infrastructure, but as the foundation that enables AI, strengthens resilience and efficiency, and supports digital transformation across industries.”
— Dhruv Dhody, Industry Standardization Expert at Huawei, Chair of the IAB, IETF

“Across Asia-Pacific, fibre is extending beyond homes and offices into rooms, devices, and machines. By working together, we can accelerate fibre innovation and adoption to build truly AI-ready infrastructure.”
— Ilham Nandana, Chair of the Market Intelligence Committee, Fiber Network Council APAC (FNCAP)

“We fixed it before you feel it! AIS is redefining premium home broadband by combining ultra-fast connectivity with AI-driven network intelligence and smart home ecosystem — delivering proactive, invisible service excellence that transforms connectivity into differentiated customer value and sustainable ARPU growth.”
— Thanit Chaiyaboonthanit, Head of Technology Department, Broadband Business, AIS

“Connecting the Unconnected: Affordable Broadband at Scale. Create equal access to global information and empower Indonesia’s digital society.”
— Shannedy Ong, CTO of Surge Indonesia

“Beyond Connectivity: Telkomsel is transforming into a true value creator. By leveraging our FBB market-leading footprint, we power growth through service excellence, customer loyalty, and a next-generation home ecosystem.”
— Stanislaus Susatyo, Director of Sales, Telkomsel Indonesia

“We stopped treating AI as an add-on feature. Instead, our approach at Globe starts with architecture, embedding intelligence into the very core of how we build, how we sell, and how we operate.
AI continuously monitors network health, customer behavior and service quality. Rather than waiting for failures, the system predicts degradation and initiates corrective actions. By maintaining minute-level awareness of network health, our systems automatically resolve 30% of all Wi-Fi issues without any human intervention.”
— Danny Theseira, Head of Broadband Business Group at Globe Telecom

“Huawei is driving the Optics-AI Synergy to foster their collaborative growth. Through AI-ON, operators could build an AI-centric all-optical target network and establish 1-5-20ms latency circles across the Asia Pacific region. AI-ON also supports efficient computing access and usage while delivering an ultimate network experience through gigabit/ultra-gigabit home broadband, accelerating the widespread adoption of AI services.”
— Kim Jin, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Optical Business Product Line, Huawei

“Connectivity is not just about technology. It is a lifeline, a platform for opportunity, and a driver of sustainable development. I believe the intersection of connectivity and artificial intelligence will shape the future of smarter, more resilient networks.”
— Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU

“Performance and user experience are the essential path to the next-generation WLAN. Based on standards and AI-driven innovation, let’s jointly explore the path to the future autonomous WLAN with all the stakeholders.”
— Dr. Crane H. Yang, Secretary-General, World WLAN Application Alliance (WAA)

“At the summit, NIDA and WBBA signed an MOU to accelerate next-generation network evolution and establish pioneering smart city benchmarks through the co-development of industry standards, the harmonization of global regulations, and the sharing of vertical industry insights.
NIDA focuses on advancing network architecture standards, while WBBA drives global consensus on broadband evolution. This natural strategic complementarity creates vast opportunities for future collaboration.”
— Joey Deng, Secretary-General of NIDA

“ION-2030 develops the global standard for next generation optical networks in the AI era. It provides exceptional AI application and service experience. The WBBA and ITU will jointly accelerate its development, and this is a unique opportunity for Asia-Pacific stakeholders to actively influence the future of optical broadband networks.”
— Dr. Marcus Brunner, Chief Expert Standardization, WBBA WG1 Chair and Vice-Chair of ETSI ISG F5G

“The transition into the AI era demands a high-quality, deterministic digital foundation. By releasing Net5.5G policy guidelines, Malaysia is accelerating the evolution of next-generation network standards based on IPv6, establishing an innovative infrastructure to unleash AI’s value and drive a prosperous digital economy for 2030.”
— Prof. Sureswaran Ramadass, Chair of APAC at IPv6 Council, Industry Partner of WBBA

“The digital economy is thriving across the Asia-Pacific region, with AI emerging as a core catalyst for intelligent transformation. China Mobile International (CMI) is driving regional growth by integrating China’s advanced AI capabilities with comprehensive communications, computing, and AI services. Moving forward, CMI will collaborate closely with industry partners to foster a shared, AI-driven future for the region.”
— Paul Lin, Managing Director of Commercial and Technology, Asia Pacific, China Mobile International

“Next-generation network infrastructure is the oxygen of the intelligent economy. By integrating cutting-edge 800G connectivity with quantum-safe security, HKT is laying the essential foundations to keep Hong Kong’s enterprises highly competitive, secure, and ready for the computing paradigm shifts of tomorrow.”
— Wilson Cheung, Vice President, Broadband Design & Cyber Security, HKT

“The evolution toward Net5.5G AI WAN is an important step in strengthening XLSMART’s transport network for the future. By progressively adopting AI-assisted operations, SRv6, SDN, service differentiation, and higher-capacity transport infrastructure, we are enhancing network intelligence, operational efficiency, and service resilience while supporting long-term sustainability. This transformation is a continuous journey that aligns with the industry’s vision of AI-native broadband networks. Through collaboration with our technology partners and the broader ecosystem, we will continue to develop capabilities that deliver better network performance and support Indonesia’s growing digital connectivity needs.”
— Regie Ginanjar, Head of Transport Autonomy & Orchestration, Transport Network Transformation, XLSMART

“For the AI era, Huawei upgrades the IP bearer network via security resilience, multi-dimensional awareness, and network autonomy. This empowers carriers to guarantee service experience, accelerate monetization, and enhance efficiency, ushering in a new chapter of intelligent connectivity.”
— Arthur Wang, Vice President of Data Communication Product Line, Huawei

A CONVERGING VIEW

Speakers agreed AI is shifting networks from connectivity to intelligent connectivity, as broadband, IP, computing and cross-border infrastructure converge to support innovation and coordination.

WBBA launched the AI-Net Certification, a global benchmark for national policy, industrial ecosystems and network intelligence. XLSmart was named first AI-Net Champion, and Indonesia was among the first with a certified operator, backed by its Net5.5G roadmap.

In another high-profile segment, WBBA Director General Martin Creaner presented the Gigacity Certification to KOMDIGI, SURGE, Telkomsel, AIS, TRUE, HKT and Globe, recognizing regional broadband pioneers.

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SOURCE HUAWEI

Technology

Laifen Expands U.S. Retail Footprint with Costco Launch of Best-Selling SE Hair Dryer

Published

1 hour ago

July 18, 2026

Starting July 18, Costco Members Can Shop Laifen’s Award-Winning Hair Dryer in Select Warehouse Locations Across the U.S.

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Laifen, ranked the world’s No.1 high-speed hair dryer brand, today announced the launch of its best-selling SE High-Speed Hair Dryer at select Costco warehouse locations, marking the brand’s largest U.S. retail expansion to date and bringing its award-winning haircare technology to Costco members across select U.S. markets.

The launch brings Laifen’s award-winning haircare technology to Costco, making it easier for consumers to experience the brand through one of the nation’s leading membership retailers. Laifen joins Costco’s growing portfolio of premium beauty and personal care brands. The initial rollout includes select Costco warehouse locations across the United States, with a strong presence across the Western U.S., including California, the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest.

Costco’s reputation for quality and its highly selective merchandising approach make this partnership especially meaningful. The Costco launch reflects Laifen’s continued expansion beyond direct-to-consumer channels as the brand accelerates its U.S. omnichannel retail strategy. “Costco represents an important milestone in our U.S. retail strategy,” said Romeo, General Manager of International Business of Laifen. “As more consumers seek salon-quality performance at an accessible price, we’re excited to make Laifen available through one of America’s most trusted retailers.”

Engineered to deliver professional-level performance in a sleek, lightweight design, the Laifen SE is powered by the brand’s proprietary high-speed brushless motor, delivering fast drying, reduced heat damage and smoother styling. An intelligent temperature control system continuously monitors airflow to help minimize frizz while protecting hair from excessive heat.

The Costco launch represents the next phase of Laifen’s U.S. retail expansion as the brand continues to grow beyond its direct-to-consumer and online channels. By expanding into one of the nation’s most trusted retailers, Laifen aims to broaden access to its category-disrupting haircare solutions while advancing its mission to bring more thoughtful design and everyday excellence into more homes.

The Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer in White will be available at select Costco locations, while Costco.com shoppers will have access to additional color options including Purple and Pink, alongside the White model.

For more information on Laifen, please visit LaifenTech.com.

About Laifen:

Founded in 2019, Laifen is a global personal care technology brand combining high-performance engineering with modern design across hair care, oral care, and grooming categories. Ranked the world’s No. 1 high-speed hair dryer brand by Euromonitor International, Laifen first gained recognition for its self-developed 110,000 RPM high-speed brushless motor, the proprietary technology behind its award-winning hair dryers.

Building on this innovation, Laifen has expanded its portfolio to include electric toothbrushes and shavers, delivering premium technology and elevated everyday experiences to consumers worldwide. Today, Laifen products and accessories are used by over 22 million households across more than 60 countries, supported by more than 600 patents and recognized with over 50 international design and innovation awards. Driven by continuous technological breakthroughs, Laifen is committed to making cutting-edge personal care technology more accessible to consumers around the world.

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SOURCE Laifen

Technology

Pillsbury Notice of Data Breach

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2026

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (“Pillsbury”) was among many law firms targeted by sophisticated social engineering attempts in an incident last year. While the firm quickly detected and blocked the activity, an unauthorized actor was able to access some of the firm’s documents during a short window of time. Pillsbury notified any impacted clients last year and undertook a detailed process to review the accessed documents for personal information. Pillsbury then began notifying individuals whose personal information was affected. That process is now complete, and today, Pillsbury is publishing substitute notice as a final step.

For more information, please visit the substitute notice on our website at https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/breach-notice.html.

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SOURCE Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP