Image Source: Social

The inaugural Buildings and Climate Global Forum, hosted by the French Government and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), concluded yesterday with the adoption of the Chaillot Declaration by representatives from 70 countries. 

This landmark document signifies a pivotal step in international collaboration aimed at advancing a swift, equitable, and effective transition of the building sector.

Convening in Paris, the Forum gathered over 1,400 participants and focused on decarbonizing buildings and enhancing their climate resilience. According to the latest Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, jointly released by UNEP and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the building sector accounts for more than 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022 alone, it contributed 37% of global operational energy and process-related CO2 emissions.

The Chaillot Declaration underscores the urgency posed by accelerating climate change, which increasingly exposes buildings to climate-related risks, particularly in developing countries and urban areas where 68% of the world's population is projected to reside by 2050. The declaration highlights the insufficient pace of renovations and sustainable construction, emphasizing the gap between current practices and the Paris Agreement's imperative to limit global warming to below 1.5°C by 2100. It condemns continued investments in carbon-intensive systems and building practices that deplete natural resources, contributing to biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

Recognizing the critical need for swift action in the face of climate emergencies, ministers committed to several key actions:

• Implementing roadmaps, regulatory frameworks, and mandatory building and energy codes to transition towards carbon-neutral buildings.

• Establishing financial frameworks, fiscal incentives, and regulatory tools to increase the adoption of resilient, low-emission, and affordable buildings.

• Promoting the use of labels, standards, and certifications.

• Leading by example through ambitious policies on public procurement.

• Advancing the production, development, and utilization of low-carbon, durable construction materials.

• Fostering collaborative value chains and investing in research and development of innovative solutions.

• Enhancing local capacities and skills in mitigation and adaptation strategies.

• Developing multi-level governance and participatory approaches for coordinated implementation.

• Creating tools and regulatory frameworks for data collection and sharing best practices.

To ensure these commitments are upheld, ministers pledged to utilize international forums such as the G7, G20, G77, and climate COPs to advocate for building and construction sector issues. They also announced the formation of an "Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate" under the coordination of GlobalABC to facilitate and monitor the Declaration's implementation.