'Mega trends' driving a major transformation in building industry: Andrew Burgess, AkzoNobel
There are huge opportunities for the suppliers - cement maker, glazing company, paints company, etc. - to construction industry as it embraces mega trends. Population growth, climate change, urbanization and resource scarcity are driving major transformations in the buildings and infrastructure sector. It is estimated that by 2030, 70 percent of the world's population will live in mega-cities. At the same time, we are using natural resources 1.5 times faster than the world can replenish itself.
Meanwhile, environmental legislation is increasing. In the EU, 2020 targets of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions versus 1990 levels have been set and are being implemented through binding legislation. Furthermore, voluntary green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, GRIHA, DGNB and others are helping to increase the acceptance, use and development of new technologies designed to help meet these new green standards. However it is important to recognise that these changes are manifesting themselves differently across the world.