Putting a Different Construct On It?

Steel and cement production release massive amounts of climate-altering 'greenhouse gas'. These materials are, of course, much used by the construction industries. The construction industry actually accounts for circa 37% of global 'greenhouse gas' emissions. Simon Jenkins is intrigued, however, that it seems to largely escape censure or even a focus (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/19/construction-world-biggest-carbon-emitter-labour). Jenkins agrees the UK needs new homes for its burgeoning population. He regards, however, the 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) on the refurbishment of old buildings as essentially a 'subsidy for pollution'. That's because there's no VAT on new constructions. Jenkins also isn't enthusiastic about the creation of new 'garden cities' on green land in the SE. He notes their new-builds would generate massive amounts of 'greenhouse gases'. It would also leave their new inhabitats very car-dependent. Jenkins believes this would even further exacerbate the current 'North-South prosperity divide'. He thinks much more could be done, throughout the UK, to utilise empty or under-utilised buildings. Improving their environmental efficiencies would, he says, be more effective and less climate-damaging, than 'green' new-builds.