GOAL 1: Provide a common platform for the stakeholders: Provide a global platform for dialogue and collective action from buildings sector stakeholders to address sustainability issues of global significance, especially climate change.

Objective 1:  Outreach through partnership activities to raise awareness of the significant opportunities for engaging the building sector in tackling climate change and increasing participation in UNEP-SBCI.

This objective is carried out through the Advocacy Committee. In addition, the UNEP-SBCI Secretariat organizes symposia and workshops to raise awareness- and build networks, and UNEP-SBCI Partners represent the Initiative at regional and international conferences.

UNEP-SBCI is also intricately involved in the UNFCCC process, contributing to negotiations, communicating with delegates, and organizing side-events. Finally, the UNEP-SBCI provides communication and outreach materials to raise awareness, and translates materials and publications into UN languages for greater impact. For more information, visit the Advocacy page

GOAL 2: Develop tools and strategies for achieving a greater acceptance and adoption of sustainable building practices throughout the world;

Objective 2a: Contribute to UNFCCC Negotiations by providing direct advice and support to policy-makers at all levels on mitigating building-related GHG emissions.

UNEP-SBCI will continue to participate in the UNFCCC process and negotiations leading to a post-Kyoto agreement. The initiative has submitted Briefings on NAMAs for the building sector to the UNFCCC, and participated in the UNFCCC meetings and side-events. Partners also continue to engage country delegates in consultations to raise awareness of the potential of buildings in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Objective 2b:  Support Policy Development relating to sustainable buildings through funding research that provides policy scenarios for achieving very high-efficiency and low-greenhouse gas emission buildings, with a focus on developing countries.

UNEP-SBCI, in coordination with the SPOD and SUSHI projects continues to support policy development. Partners of the Initiative are also involved in a number reports on building baseline emissions and reduction potentials, as well the continued development of the Common Carbon Metric.

GOAL 3: Establish baselines, which are globally recognized and based on a life cycle approach. Focus has initially been concentrated on establishing baselines for energy efficiency and emissions, but is now expanding to account for additional indicators such as materials and water.

Objective 3:  Frame a Common Language for performance assessment of energy efficient & low carbon buildings, as a basis for consistent global reporting of building related GHG emissions.

The Sustainable Buildings Index Steering Committee is focused on developing Sustainable Buildings Reporting Protocol.

The Energy & GHG Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is assisting the Sustainable Buildings Index Steering Committee address the first issue of concern, energy and GHG emissions.

GOAL 4: Demonstrate through pilot projects and inform policy developments of the important role buildings have to play in mitigation and adaptation to climate change at local, national and/or global levels.

Objective 4: Facilitate piloting of tools at city, portfolio and individual building levels to build baselines of performance by building type and climate region.

In 2010 and 2011 the UNEP-SBCI has conducted two pilot tests of the Common Carbon Metric (CCM).The CCM is a mechanism for measuring energy use and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from building operations. Specifically, it will establish baselines; enable measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) reporting; and, help unlock the potential for significant reduction in GHG emissions in the building sector.