If the planet's atmospheric CO2eq concentration is to be limited to 450 ppm by the middle of this century, what limitation does this place on the size of dwellings and residential buildings energy consumption? This paper aims to answer and discuss these questions. In the analysis, the world is subdivided into different regions according to climate and socioeconomic characteristics. We have collected demographic statistics regarding housing and residential building energy consumption in 31 countries and 14 provinces/municipalities. Scenarios analyses include energy availability, dwelling size development and technology expansion. The results indicate that: 1) there is a limitation on dwelling space and energy consumption within the 450 ppm CO2eq constraint 2) There is a trade-off on consumptions between dwelling size and energy. Most regions have a potential to increase dwelling space in the future, if residents can reduce the residential energy consumption. 3) Zero energy building technology is essential to reducing residential building energy consumption, especially in the USA, Japan and the emerging economics. 4) The requirement of zero energy buildings is more urgent in the emerging economies, especially China and Middle East than the OECD. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.