Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] Or whether reparation will begin at home as Africa addresses the wealth siphoned by corrupt leaders - much of which still lines the pockets of their families. Global Voices
• [New] Up to 20,000 homes in Brisbane, a city largely built on a river floodplain, could experience some level of flooding. ABC News
• [New] By tapping into home decor export trends, handicraft exporters can tailor their product offerings to meet UK consumers' expectations and increase sales potential. ShipGlobal.in
• [New] The world needs to create 96,000 affordable homes every day to accommodate the three billion people who will need access to adequate housing by 2030. Monocle
• [New] By 2030, EVs could contribute up to 4% of Europe's annual power supply, equating to 114 TWh - enough to power 30 million homes. MIT OpenCourseWare
• [New] The family segment could reward drivers with 15% (€1,200) annual savings in France, rising to 23% in Germany. MIT OpenCourseWare
• [New] The combination of higher prices, recessionary pressures from retaliatory measures, and supply chain disruptions would deliver a significant blow to the majority of U.S. households. ZME Science
• [New] The UK with its Innovator Founder Visa secures an opportunity score of 70% when it comes to providing strategic advantage to its citizens and residents, and the UAE, which has numerous categories of beneficiaries for its Golden Residence visa, earns 67%. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Stacking tariffs on household goods will also raise costs on American families, millions of whom have struggled through the worst bout of inflation in forty years. Orange County Register
• [New] Residents of the 200-year-old city said they are worried that tariffs on Mexico and Canada will raise prices for goods sold in the U.S. Yahoo News
• [New] The National Retail Federation, meanwhile, warned that as long as tariffs on Canada and Mexico are in place, Americans will be forced to pay higher prices on household goods. Vanguard News
• [New] The Physics Building is the first solar project to begin in 2025 and is expected to generate 95000 KWH of clean energy per year (equivalent to providing energy to over 20 domestic households) and save 20 tonnes of CO2 per year. University of Exeter
• [New] Octopus Energy aims to deliver 100,000 'Zero Bills' homes by 2030, and has already rolled out the initiative in Germany and New Zealand, alongside the UK. Transport + Energy
• [New] Hydrogen is predicted to bring significant benefits to the UK's energy system: heating homes and businesses, powering vehicles, and balancing intermittent renewables. Eventbrite
• [New] The construction industry is expected to recover from 2025 onwards by recording an annual average growth rate of 3.6% from 2025 to 2028, supported by investments in the development of country's transport infrastructure, housing, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. Yahoo Finance
• [New] We will see higher gasoline prices as a function of energy, higher electricity prices from hydroelectricity from Canada, higher home heating prices associated with natural gas that comes from Canada and higher automobile prices. Alphastox
• [New] Trump's return to the White House has made China's economic future more unpredictable, which means that Beijing could set more conservative targets in the next five-year plan. Yahoo News
• [New] In 2025, demand for rental housing is expected to rise due to high home prices and economic uncertainty. Whatnetworth
• [New] Smart homes, equipped with technologies that allow for better energy management, increased security, and enhanced convenience, will become more common in Sharjah's real estate developments. HomeCubes
• [New] The availability of affordable housing options will likely attract more residents to Sharjah, especially as it becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to Dubai. HomeCubes
• UK households could face meat shortages, higher taxes and a mandate to install a heat pump in their homes. Carbon Brief
• Inheritance tax changes for non-UK domiciled residents: Non-UK domiciled UK residents are expected to become subject to UK inheritance tax on their worldwide assets within a shorter timeframe than under the current rules. Greenwoods Legal LLP
• Energy efficiency in buildings: by 2040, almost all homes will have taken some steps to improve their energy efficiency (for example draught-proofing or lagging hot water cylinders) in the Balanced Pathway. Climate Change Committee

Last updated: 08 March 2025