The IPCC report warns of the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, with extreme heatwaves, droughts and severe flooding all becoming increasingly more likely if the crisis is not acted upon.

It is estimated that buildings generate nearly 40 per cent of annual greenhouse gas emissions, but the BCIA believes this figure can be reduced by increasing the rate at which we renovate our existing building stock to make better use of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS).

Graeme Rees, vice president of the BCIA, said: “The number of unoccupied buildings with lights still blazing during lockdown was an obvious example of where we can significantly improve our energy efficiency. Energy conservation and CO2 reduction are the long-term objectives of building controls but there are actions we can take now to improve the level of control we have in our buildings. The ability to manage and adapt our buildings is important at any time, not just in situations like we have found ourselves in the past year or two. It is clear many have not prioritised improvement to their building stock for too long, this is a subject that can no longer be ignored – the time for action is now.”