Sustainable building strategies to combat climate change in Africa

Abstract

pollution, and economic growth are fuelling climate change. Our actions impact the planet, which in turn impacts us. In a recent review article, Michael Santos and João Lanzinha (University of Beira Interior, Portugal) and Ana Vaz Ferreira (Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Portugal) share that the residential sector contributes 40% to global energy consumption as people strive for thermal comfort (that is, achieving an ideal indoor environment through heating or cooling) in their homes and business buildings. These processes require significant energy inputs, contributing more than 30% to the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. However, there could be a way to harness sustainable development designs to reduce energy consumption.