By Nidhi DhullReviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Aug 29 2024A recent article published by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has highlighted the key role that it will be playing in the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 1, which was initially launched at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow back in 2021. The Breakthrough Agenda focuses on standards and certification for near-zero emissions and resilient buildings.
Study: World Green Building Council to lead Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 1. Image Credit: Fahroni/Shutterstock.com
Breakthrough Agenda
At COP26 in November 2021, leaders from 45 countries, representing over 70 % of global GDP, launched the Breakthrough Agenda. This initiative aims to enhance international cooperation on decarbonizing key carbon-intensive sectors, including transport, hydrogen, power, agriculture, and steel. The goal is to make clean technologies and sustainable solutions more affordable, accessible, and appealing globally by 2030.
The leaders agreed to conduct an annual review of progress and assess the key international actions needed to advance the Breakthroughs. This review process is supported by an independent expert report prepared annually by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the UN High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC). The first Breakthrough Agenda Report was published in September 2022.
Buildings Breakthrough
At the Bonn Climate Change Conference in June 2022, Mr. Stéphane Crouzat, the French Climate Change Ambassador, announced that France and the Kingdom of Morocco would co-lead the Buildings Breakthrough Target, with support from other cooperating governments. This co-leadership was reaffirmed by the governments of France and Morocco at both the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial and 7th Mission Innovation (CEM13/MI7) during the 2022 UN General Assembly, as well as at the COP27 Breakthrough Agenda Ministerial in November 2022.
During the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), France and the Kingdom of Morocco, along with the United Kingdom's High-Level Climate Champion (HLCC), the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and several high-level representatives, called on all nations to join the Buildings Breakthrough. This appeal was made during an event titled "A Call for a Buildings Breakthrough as a Rallying Point," which aimed to accelerate the global transition to sustainable buildings.
The Buildings Breakthrough was officially launched at the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and received endorsement from 27 countries and the European Commission. Its goal was articulated as achieving "Near-zero emission and resilient buildings as the new normal by 2030." The initiative aims to foster international cooperation between governments and the industry to reach this ambitious goal.
The Buildings Breakthrough Target
The Buildings Breakthrough initiative encompasses both new constructions and deep renovations, emphasizing the importance of achieving "near-zero emission buildings" and "resilient buildings." "Near-zero emission buildings" are characterized by their high energy efficiency and minimal carbon footprint throughout their entire life cycle. These buildings utilize low-GHG (greenhouse gas) energy sources and are constructed with low-GHG materials and tools.
On the other hand, "resilient buildings" are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained with future climate conditions in mind, ensuring their durability and adaptability over time. The goal is to make these concepts—integrating near-zero emissions and resilience—standard practice in both formal and semi-formal building engineering, effectively establishing a "new normal" in the industry.
WorldGBC’s Role in Buildings Breakthrough
Simon Sharpe, Director of Economics for the Climate Champions Team, announced the World Green Building Council's (WorldGBC) central role in Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 1 during the Global Solutions Forum in June 2024, a flagship event hosted by WorldGBC as part of the Leadership Summit 2024.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC) serve as the Breakthrough Agenda secretariat, while the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), acts as the facilitator for the Buildings Breakthrough. In this role, WorldGBC will collaborate closely with GlobalABC to organize a working group that includes national Green Building Councils (GBCs), major international organizations, and countries. The primary aim of this group is to establish and build consensus on the common defining principles necessary for achieving "near-zero emission and resilient buildings."
Cristina Gamboa, the Chief Executive Officer of WorldGBC, views the Buildings Breakthrough as an exceptional platform for uniting the public and private sectors to collaborate and accelerate progress towards WorldGBC’s goals. WorldGBC intends to leverage the collective expertise of global GBCs to build consensus and expedite the realization of the Buildings Breakthrough. This collaboration is expected to bolster international climate change efforts, contributing to the achievement of the Paris Agreement’s goals and delivering significant outcomes by COP29, COP30, and beyond.
Journal Reference
World Green Building Council to lead Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 1. (July 2024). World Green Building Council. https://worldgbc.org/article/buildings-breakthrough-priority1gsf/
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