In November 2020, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) joined nine international organisations to sign a letter to COP26 President, Alok Sharma, requesting a Built Environment Day at the climate summit in November 2021.

On Christmas Eve, we received our gift — a positive response.

As of January 2021, WorldGBC will be working with the COP26 High Level Climate Champions team, the UK government, a group of international built environment NGOs and our Green Building Councils to set the agenda for an official ‘Cities, Regions and Built Environment Day’ at COP26.

In his letter, Alok Sharma writes:

“I agree that action to decarbonise the buildings and construction sector is critical to meeting our Paris Agreement goals. I would be pleased to draw a spotlight on the sector to champion progress and highlight green recovery solutions in the sector. The UK Presidency would be happy to work with you on a day focused on cities and buildings.”

This is radical collaboration in action.

For the first time since COP21 in Paris, this theme will be included in the UK’s official agenda thanks to our network’s collective leadership.

We look forward to the year ahead, and the progress that will be made to give the built environment the platform it deserves as a solution to climate change.