Page number 10
Foreword Advancing Net Zero Partners Contents Advancing Net Zero: Accelerating Towards Critical Mass World Map Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment: Delivering at Scale List of Commitment Signatories Advancing Net Zero: Accelerating Towards Critical Mass We are at a crucial junction in a key decade of climate action. The building and construction sector accounts for 37% of global energy related emissions. Whilst many actors and stakeholders are now aware of the impact that buildings and infrastructure have in terms of the climate emergency, we are collectively not taking action at a scale or pace fast enough to curb the impacts of our sector. We are not on track. The sector’s energy use emissions have reached an all time high, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Emission reductions from improvements in energy and carbon intensity have been outpaced by emissions increases from rising global activity levels in industry, including the building sector. As highlighted by a multitude of reports, including the most recent IPCC warning, all industries must act now to keep the world on track for a 1.5°C Paris Agreement aligned future. We know the building and construction sector has a key role to play and we have the solutions today. Across our network, we are advancing net zero and accelerating action on built environment decarbonisation. Since the last Status Report, we’ve seen further implementation of action towards achieving our Whole Life Carbon Vision. Green Building Councils (GBCs) are leading the charge. GBCs such as GBCSA and USGBC are updating certification tools to reflect action on whole life carbon. Additional whole life carbon roadmaps have been published by DGNB, GBC Italia and Croatia GBC, providing critical national industry targets and goals. Others are producing innovative tools such as the Jenga Green Library by KenyaGBS, or industry leading guidance such as electrification guides for both new and existing buildings from GBCA. This year has seen promising private sector action showcasing signals of change. A new report from WBCSD and Arup, ‘Net-zero buildings: Halving construction emissions today ’, shows it is possible to at least halve embodied carbon emissions immediately by using what is already available; seven years in advance of the 2030 targets in WorldGBC’s Whole Life Carbon Vision for the entire sector. The Low Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) has produced detailed case studies highlighting embodied carbon reductions to showcase best practice and provide further transparency with reporting. The Science Based Targets Initiative has consulted on and will soon release building sector specific guidance on both operational and embodied carbon targets aligned to a 1.5°C scenario, giving businesses a clear pathway to net zero. Throughout this report we also show how Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment signatories are delivering decarbonisation at scale, and how our programme partners are building resilience across the value chain towards decarbonisation. The global GBC the built environ communities an continue to eng to accelerate ac through unprec breakthrough m to achieve critic Check out oth our network, decarbonisat Glob Built Clim Built The 10 WorldGBC Advancing Net Zero Status Report 2023
Page number 11
COP28: A Breakthrough for the Sector In Focus: GBC Leadership Action Building Resilience Across the Value Chain Towards Decarbonisation We Invite You to Join Us C network stands ready to show that nment can create more resilient nd be a critical climate solution. We will gage, elevate and empower stakeholders ction on sector transformation. Together, cedented collaboration, we can deliver the moment for the built environment needed cal mass towards our shared goals. ther outputs from WorldGBC and helping to accelerate tion action: bal Policy Principles for a Sustainable t Environment mate Change Resilience in the t Environment Guide Circular Built Environment Playbook Reaching wider audiences WorldGBC collaborated with ULI Europe, WBCSD, and IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change) to deliver the first ever Road to Zero stage at MIPIM in Cannes, France, 14-17 March 2023 to deliver a dedicated programme of content and inspire attendees of the world’s leading international real estate event to accelerate action towards market transformation. We also reached diverse new stakeholders through participating in events for proptech, climate tech, students and industry bodies across other sectors. “The first ever Road to Zero stage at MIPIM brought pragmatic solutions to an audience of investors, decision makers and practitioners, to reinforce that net zero makes business sense, and is achievable today.” Hugh Garnett Senior Programme Manager - Real Estate, Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change 11
