Combining vernacular building techniques and international standards The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and the United Nations Environment Programme are aligned with these practices. They recommend that all countries have mandatory building codes that are based on local construction methods, while still incorporating the strictest international standards. Building codes are essential for reducing emissions from the sector and providing clear guidance across all components. They can be a fundamental driver for improving energy performance. As of September 2022, 40% of countries had mandatory or voluntary regulations or codes for the energy performance of buildings1. This need to strengthen regulatory requirements is also recognized by the representatives of the Global South in the responses to the first edition of the Saint-Gobain Sustainable Construction Observatory. The Observatory identified regulatory requirements as the second largest driver, at 43% (behind the price of materials), for accelerating sustainable construction (find out more about the Saint-Gobain Sustainable Construction Observatory, page 78). And even though these codes remain only at draft stage in many countries of the Global South (only five African countries have implemented them), they are complete in India. The country now has an energy code that specifies the minimum performance standards of the building envelope to limit heat gain or loss. The energy code also specifies standards for adequate ventilation and natural lighting. South-South and North-South collaboration Sustainable construction solutions developed in the countries of the Global South are increasingly shared with neighboring nations facing similar challenges. Colombia and Brazil are examples, with both countries having social housing programs that incorporate green building principles. In addition, with globalization, ideas from the North reach the South very quickly with the positive consequences of inspiring innovation and even a reinterpretation of technological solutions from the North using local resources. This is the case, for example, with 3D printing, a construction method that can be much more durable than traditional construction. Tvasta is a young company founded in Madras, India, that designs 3D concrete printing technologies and applies them to traditional Indian architectural techniques. In early 2022, Tvasta even entered into a national strategic collaboration agreement with Indian Cements to develop an environmentally friendly cement formula. 1. UN-Habitat, World Cities Report 2022: Envisaging the Future of Cities, 2022. By 2050, there will be eight megacities in the Global South that are each home to more than 25 million people. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 42 SAINT-GOBAIN
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