Buildings and the energy transition with Lord Adair Turner

From heating and cooling to construction materials and power demand, buildings are responsible for up to a third of global emissions—but rarely get the political or media attention they deserve. This week Felicia talks to Lord Adair Turner, chair of the Energy Transitions Commissions, to explore why that needs to change now.

We dig into why electrification is the only real path to decarbonising the built environment, and why heat pumps, not hydrogen, are the smarter, more efficient bet for home heating. We explore how better insulation can drive down energy costs and we discuss the urgent need to upgrade transmission and distribution networks, despite the costs and complexity, because without them, electrification can’t deliver.

We also look at the opportunity for the Global South to leapfrog outdated systems and build smarter from the ground up, designing cities and buildings that are efficient by default, not by retrofit.

Turner makes it clear: there’s no single solution. We need a range of solutions and systemic shifts, tailored to place and purpose, including smarter design, reuse of excess heat, and flexible demand systems that reduce pressure on the grid.

If we’re serious about climate action, we can’t keep ignoring the buildings we live and work in. The transition won’t succeed without them, and done right, it could mean lower energy bills, healthier homes, and a more resilient future. This is not about net zero targets but about what we build today, and how we power it tomorrow.

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