The Czech Green Building Council (CZGBC) is the latest addition to the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) network. Rejoining WorldGBC as Established members, they bring the Czech Republic’s building sector experience and perspective to the Europe Regional Network (ERN) which is a community of over 20 national GBCs, 8 Regional Partners, and close to 5,000 members across Europe. Green Building Councils (GBCs) in the ERN are from both EU and non-EU countries.

The CZGBC brings together companies from across the whole value chain of the sustainable building sector. Founded in 2009, all its activities are aimed at meeting the “Vision Zero” objectives – that buildings have zero negative impact on the environment throughout their whole life cycle. Their mission is that sustainable building will become standard in the Czech Republic.

WorldGBC defines Established GBC status as a fully developed and operational organisation that is running impactful green building programmes of work – delivering change on a national level, and embracing best practice governance, accountability, and transparency.

Stephen Richardson, Director of the Europe Regional Network, WorldGBC, said:

“CZGBC has a brilliant track record of impactful programmes and advocacy and it’s really great to welcome them back to the WorldGBC family. They bring strong leadership and expertise to the network and we have already hit the ground running by collaborating on our advocacy towards the Czech presidency of the Council of the European Union, which runs until the end of the year.

“We are at a pivotal time in Europe, with only a few years’ worth of carbon budget remaining to avert the worst effects of climate change and facing an unprecedented energy crisis this winter. Industry and political leaders must step up and ensure that the built environment is at the forefront of the efforts to make Europe the first climate neutral continent. The ERN’s mission is to put a sustainable built environment at the heart of Europe’s future and in this we are strengthened further by the cooperation with CZGBC.”

Simona Kalvoda, CEO of the Czech Green Building Council, said:

“We are excited to rejoin the WorldGBC global network. This partnership is crucial for us and our members, as we see the WorldGBC not only as an inspiration, but also as a platform where we can bring our own expertise and local knowledge. This can in many ways be an accelerator of beneficial changes in the field of sustainable activities within a wide range of buildings.

“The Czech Green Building Council has long been engaged in activities focused on a high potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in buildings, which is currently particularly important for achieving energy and material security and independence. Especially today, as we face new challenges – such as the decarbonisation of the building sector, taxonomy, ESG and increasingly stringent energy efficiency legislation – we find it particularly beneficial to be able to monitor and adapt to these changes as a member of a global organisation. We look forward to having the opportunity to use a broader overview of these challenges in the European context, to participate in commenting on the process of European legislation already at the stages of its creation and to cooperate with all colleagues from the WorldGBC, and particularly the ERN.”

Czech GBC joins WorldGBC’s European Regional Network of 20 Green Building Councils.