WorldGBC report on advancing net zero buildings

• A global movement being driven by 35 GBCs, with initiatives designed to deliver greater awareness around the urgency and achievability of net zero buildings

• All five regional networks of WorldGBC are collaborating on Advancing Net Zero related projects to equip industry with resources to accelerate uptake

• 22 national Whole Life Carbon (WLC) decarbonization roadmaps published or in development by GBCs, with more being produced externally

• The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment (the “Commitment”) now has 175 signatories (including businesses, organizations, cities, states and regions), with 140 business signatories that are responsible for around $400 billion annual turnover, holding nearly 20,000 assets collectively across 75 countries, taking action at scale to decarbonize their portfolios and beyond

• Built environment will be established as a critical climate sector at the UN Climate Summit COP28 in Dubai, UAE, with this WorldGBC report reflecting the thematic agenda “Multi-level Action, Urbanization and Built Environment/Transport” on 6 December 2023

• Nine global program partners are accelerating industry action and overcoming barriers to net zero through innovative business activities.

Accelerating a breakthrough in decarbonizing the built environment

The WorldGBC Advancing Net Zero global program, in collaboration with our GBCs, partners and Commitment signatories, is accelerating action at a local, regional and global level towards achieving the breakthrough moment to decarbonize the built environment. In July, the UN High Level Climate Champions announced that a critical tipping point had been reached as 20% of key actors from the building and construction sector had joined the Race to Zero.

The WorldGBC Advancing Net Zero global program, in collaboration with our GBCs, partners and Commitment signatories, is accelerating action at a local, regional and global level towards achieving the breakthrough moment to decarbonize the built environment. In July, the UN High Level Climate Champions announced that a critical tipping point had been reached as 20% of key actors from the building and construction sector had joined the Race to Zero.

At the UN Climate Summit COP27 held last year, WorldGBC (represented by 9 women), our network and the BuildingToCOP Coalition showcased actions and solutions from the sector, with 19 built environment initiatives launched. Looking ahead, COP28 in Dubai (30 November-12 December 2023) will once again feature the built environment as a key thematic topic, further solidifying our efforts to establish buildings and the built environment as a critical climate solution.

GBCs continue to spearhead change in their local markets. The ANZ program is now engaging more GBCs than ever with 35 GBCs participating, and the entire network involved in regional ANZ activities. All five WorldGBC regional networks now have Advancing Net Zero projects aimed at localizing solutions and guidance for uptake at scale, including Net Zero Readiness Frameworks being developed in MENA and Americas.

Each GBC is also engaging their members and beyond to accelerate the transformation of the sector. Examples from across the network are featured in the Status Report, from the GBC Action Timeline to deep dives into the leadership action of Kenya Green Building Society, Chile Green Building Council and India Green Building Council.

Commitment signatories continue to showcase industry leadership, and in the report we detail examples of signatories delivering decarbonization action across their portfolios. The front cover of the report features AMP Capital’s Quay Quarter Tower, a repurposed building of a 1970s skyscraper in Sydney, Australia. Two-thirds of the old structure and 95% of the building’s core were salvaged, saving around 12,000 tonnes of carbon and an estimated US $102 million. Commitment signatories Arup and Multiplex were also involved in this ambitious project, with Dexus and Deloitte as anchor tenants.

Advancing Net Zero’s global program partners represent key industry players, actively working to decarbonize the sector. We profile in this report Cemex, Kingspan and Mott MacDonald on how they are engaging with their value chains both upstream and downstream to facilitate change and build resilience towards sustainable, resilient, equitable built environments for everyone, everywhere.

However, the industry still faces challenges in scaling up solutions, and ensuring all buildings are fit for purpose, while minimizing their impact on our planet. We draw attention to the work, resources, and case studies that are helping to overcome challenges such as access to finance, electrification, offsets, existing buildings, embodied carbon, benchmarks and more.

WorldGBC’s Advancing Net Zero program is making critical steps towards total sector decarbonization. This report once again highlights the game changing achievements from the leading work of our GBCs, program partners and Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment signatories, who are driving solutions and demonstrating that industry is ready for bolder ambition.

In the run up to the UN Climate Summit COP28 in Dubai, UAE, the world’s first Global Stocktake year should serve as a reminder for governments to reflect on how their actions and policies will help them achieve the goals they signed up to under the Paris Agreement.

We know that the solutions exist for a decarbonized future; and our network is ready to support industry and government to ensure that pledges, commitments and promises are turned into action that is delivering the change at scale that our world demands.

Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council: