We have joined together with our global network of Green Building Councils, Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment signatories, partners and other supporters to present an Open Letter to political leaders and policymakers at COP28. Through this joint action, we aim to demonstrate the critical role of the built environment in tackling global heating, champion the activity being implemented by our network, and provide a call to action for policymakers to step up and deliver the regulatory change the world needs.
Read our policy briefing paper on how to work with governments to support the implementation of a decarbonised, circular and resilient society.
The UN’s 28th annual climate change conference (COP28) will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November – 12 December 2023.
As the world’s first Global Stocktake will be concluded at COP28, this COP provides a critical moment to curb extreme weather events and transition to a sustainable and resilient future.
The Global Stocktake takes place every five years, and evaluates the world’s progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and where there are gaps to accelerate climate action.
The two-week COP28 Action Agenda is designed for a diverse range of stakeholders around specific solutions that must be urgently scaled to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees, build resilience, and mobilise finance.
Our global network of Green Building Councils can make the COP28 Action Agenda a reality. Not only can we, but we already are. How? Through driving an energy efficient, regenerative and just transition in the building and construction sector.
Governments can have confidence that Green Building Councils are ready to support you to deliver ambitious building policy; and confidence that industry is already demonstrating that the market can deliver the transformation that ambitious policy is asking for. It is feasible because our business leaders are already doing it, so let our network support you.
Industry leaders need confidence that sustainability actually improves their bottom line, and continue to showcase leadership action by decarbonising their buildings and their businesses. Together we can send a demand signal to policymakers that the building and construction sector has the ambition to implement sustainable solutions at scale.
Those who own or are investing in fossil fuel based, or buildings prone to climate change impacts, will eventually be owners of stranded assets, and therefore are exposed to the risk of early economic obsolescence. In order to address the physical and financial risks climate change poses, as well to meet future energy efficiency standards and market expectations as part of a sustainable transition, Green Building Councils are working alongside national finance sectors to ensure sustainable finance policies are fit for purpose and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The Buildings Breakthrough is an initiative led by France and the Kingdom of Morocco and endorsed by 20+ countries. This will improve the enabling environment for climate action activities of Green Building Councils to continue delivering the goals of the breakthrough at speed and scale.
In fact three of WorldGBC’s key climate action programmes – BuildingLife, the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment and Advancing Net Zero are recognised as key initiatives that support the delivery of the Buildings Breakthrough.
The collective work of our network is already implementing sustainability solutions that can be scaled. Visit our case study library to see practical examples from Green Building Councils and industry leaders around the world.
Together, we are a united network of partners and companies committed to achieving a shared goal of total decarbonisation of the built environment. Supporters of our Open Letter include:
