According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the construction industry is one of the main drivers of climate change.
In Argentina, the situation is similar: the sector accounts for 40% of energy consumption, with a large part being used for heating and cooling. Traditional materials such as cement, steel, concrete, and aluminum generate 15% of global emissions, especially during their production.
Dry construction and green building: sustainable alternatives in the industry
In the country, the use of conventional methods still predominates, but there is an increase in dry construction, which reduces fuel consumption by 60% and CO₂ emissions by 22.5%, according to the Argentine Chamber of Construction.
Experiences like that of La Serranita (Córdoba) demonstrate that self-construction with natural materials —such as wooden frames, straw, and earth— can provide thermal comfort and low environmental impact.
Green building: tradition, sustainability, and lack of regulation
Construction with earth adapts to diverse climates, but still lacks a national legal framework.
Experts like Leonardo Nucci and María Rosa Mandrini point out that green building is a culturally rooted and environmentally efficient technique, but lacks national regulation.
Since 2021, the Argentine Proearth Network has been promoting local ordinances to standardize practices. So far, 15 provinces have approved municipal regulations and three have enacted provincial laws, demonstrating its versatility in seismic and climatically diverse areas.
Social housing and energy efficiency: a structural debt
More than four million families face housing deficits and high energy costs.
Argentina is experiencing a critical housing deficit, with 1.6 million families without housing and over two million in precarious conditions.
According to Salvador Gil, a sustainability specialist, many families self-build without technical design or thermal insulation, which increases energy consumption and forces the use of expensive and polluting sources such as firewood or bottled gas.
“Energy efficiency not only reduces emissions but also fights poverty,” says Gil in an interview with Pagina 12.
Regulations and energy labeling: progress and challenges
The National Housing Labeling Program aims to measure annual energy consumption.
Since 2023, the PRONEV, promoted by the Ministry of Energy, allows evaluating the energy requirement of homes. Although its application is voluntary in much of the country, provinces like Santa Fe already require it at the time of property transfer.
So far, 1,357 labels have been issued, and 3,738 homes have been analyzed, considering factors such as climate, materials, openings, and ventilation.
Towards sustainable construction: the role of the State and society
IRAM standards, LEED certification, and citizen participation as pillars of transformation.
Argentina has IRAM 11600 standards for thermal insulation and energy efficiency, but their voluntary nature limits their impact. Experts like Carolina Ganem and Carolina Sfeir agree that mandatory implementation by climatic region and social involvement are key to progress.
Internationally, Brazil and Mexico lead the LEED ranking, while Argentina ranks fifth in Latin America, with sustained growth and potential to consolidate a more environmentally friendly construction industry.
