Since the early 2000s, it has been widely reported that the construction industry accounts for nearly 40% of the planet’s CO2 emissions. The role of interiors in that percentage has been historically underestimated, with common statistics suggesting that a project’s furniture, fixtures and equipment are only responsible for about 7 to 10% of its overall carbon footprint. However, new research notably indicates the contrary: in a building’s average life span, the carbon footprint of its interiors will equal – if not exceed – that of the structure and envelope. Interior design, to the surprise of many, has actually been doing great harm.
Tackling the climate crisis has thus become a transcendental issue not only in large-scale, traditional construction, but also in the design of decorative elements and furnishings. As a result, hand in hand with comfort, aesthetics and functionality, furniture designers and manufacturers have placed sustainability as a top priority – whether it be through a climate-smart fabrication, the use of recycled materials or high-quality products with a durable lifespan. This has been in an effort to generate a positive environmental impact and, at the same time, respond to an increasingly conscious audience that seeks to consume responsibly.
