How developing countries meet their rising building needs will be pivotal to the worlds climate future. The good news is that the projected emissions growth in construction value chains can be reduced significantly with the application of existing technologies, new financing instruments, and the implementation of appropriate policies. Even as emerging economies meet the rising demand for residential and commercial buildings, it is possible to reduce total emissions from the sector below todays level by 2035. To avoid perpetuating the status quo, decisive action is needed by policy makers, developers, construction material producers, financiers, and international development institutions. IFC is launching this report to guide international efforts to decarbonize construction value chains. Building Green: Sustainable Construction in Emerging Markets was prepared through close collaboration between IFC economists, investment officers, and building and constructionsector specialists. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges of reducing carbon emissions from construction value chains in developing countries, but also the considerable opportunities that willcome from mobilizing the estimated $1.5 trillion of investment required for this transition.