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Spotlight on climate action

Photo: Unsplash/Markus Spiske

The climate emergency is a direct consequence of carbon-heavy land-use and agriculture, transport, buildings and industrial processes and polluting energy sources. Without profound changes to these sectors and a drastic cut to carbon footprints, there is little hope of protecting the planet from the devastating effects of a warmer world.

Below are climate-related news and events from the United Nations and partners.

12 Mar 2024 17:14

Show me the money: 1.8 billion dollars in climate investments

Selective focus photo of orange and white bus surrounded with trees
Photo: Unsplash/CHUTTERSNAP

More than 1.8 billion dollars have been invested in climate technology in projects informed by the global Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) project.

The funding figures show that TNAs and Technology Action Plans have a strong potential to provide an effective and solid basis for countries to both scale-up and implement action on technologies for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Since 2009, UNEP and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre have led the implementation of the global TNA project, funded by the Global Environment Facility.

Projects informed by the TNA project cover a broad range of countries and technologies including Bus Rapid Transport in Pakistan, the Aimags and Soums Green Regional Development Investment Program in Mongolia and more across the globe.

With the country-driven approach, the TNA project helps identify the best suited technologies for each country, integrates into national planning and strategies such as the Nationally Determined Contributions and guides countries towards implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Read the full article.

08 Mar 2024 21:45

The Buildings and Climate Forum ends with renewed optimism

Grass on a buildings
Photo: Pixabay / Beesmurf

The Ministerial Declaration from the Buildings and Climate Global Forum, which ended earlier today, outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the decarbonization and climate resilience of buildings. The declaration, endorsed by ministerial representatives from various governments, is organized into seven parts.

It outlines the importance of aligning the building sector with the long-term goals of international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, and outlines objectives related to planning, construction, and retrofitting. It calls for the implementation of regulatory measures, financial incentives, and collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable, resilient, and low-emission buildings globally. 

Read the full declaration.

08 Mar 2024 17:34

International Women’s Day at the Buildings and Climate Forum

A group of women pose for a photo at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction highlights the fact that the global construction sector has long been male-dominated, with women representing only a small percentage of workers. There are plenty of women participating in the Buildings and Climate Forum who came together to celebrate International Women’s Day earlier today. 

In India, two women architects are preserving India’s ancient heritage of mud construction by emphasizing the material’s sustainable properties, which make it an ideal way to combat the modern problem of high-carbon construction. Read more here.

08 Mar 2024 15:06

Insights from the Local Leaders Roundtable

A group photo taken at the Local Leaders Roundtable in Paris
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

Local leaders gathered in Paris today to deliver the Outcome Document of the Local Leaders Roundtable on Decarbonizing Buildings. This document serves as a pivotal contribution to the ongoing forum and outlines crucial outcomes and recommendations from the Local Governments Roundtable.

The outcome document highlights:

  1. Recognition of Responsibility: Acknowledgment of the buildings sector's fast-growing responsibility in global CO2 emissions and the need for decarbonization aligned with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable urban development;
  2. Leadership of Local Governments: Recognizing the pivotal role of local governments in fighting climate change, implementing on-the-ground climate action, and adapting to local contexts and vulnerabilities;
  3. Endorsement of Buildings Breakthrough: Recognizing the commitment of 28 countries to the Buildings Breakthrough initiative, pledging to make near-zero emission and resilient buildings the norm by 2030;
  4. Global Awareness and Inclusion: Welcoming multilateral agreements, international events, and initiatives supporting local governments' engagement in the Paris Agreement implementation;
  5. Encouragement for Multilevel Climate Action: Encouraging national governments to involve local and subnational governments in dialogues, ensuring policy coherence, and accelerating climate finance deployment;
  6. Call for Innovation: Encouraging decision-makers to invest in innovation, technologies, and sustainable construction to accelerate building decarbonization;
  7. Continuity of Global Efforts: Emphasizing the importance of these outcomes as inputs for the Ministerial plenary on March 8, 2024, and as part of ongoing global efforts towards buildings decarbonization.

As the Forum progresses, the outcomes from the Local Governments Roundtable will contribute to the final agreement. 

08 Mar 2024 08:34

Ministerial Dialogue Day at Buildings and Climate Forum

A man looking at an object at an exhibition
Photo: Manuel Bouquet 

The second day of the Buildings and Climate Global Forum takes place today in Paris with delegates hoping yesterday’s momentum will continue, with the importance of decarbonizing the building sector has never been more urgent.

Today sees a range of discussions, events and Ministerial Dialogue Day. Here's a glimpse of what's to come:

Day 2 Agenda - March 8, 2024:

09:00–10:30: Déclaration de Chaillot: Together for Implementation

  • A session to discuss and finalize a common framework to enhance global efforts in decarbonization and resilience in the buildings sector.

13:30–16:00: Parallel Sessions on Key Themes:

  • Theme 1: Acting on Buildings to Achieve National Decarbonization Goals
  • Theme 2: Scaling up Climate Finance for Buildings
  • Theme 3: Ensuring a just transition in the built environment
  • Theme 4: Accelerating collective action for building decarbonization and resilience
  • Theme 5: Buildings Breakthrough - the way forward

16:30–17:15: Closing Plenary - Build Our Future: From Paris to Bélem

  • A crucial moment to reflect on the insights gained during the forum and chart the course forward, emphasizing global collaboration to shape a sustainable future for the built environment.
07 Mar 2024 19:04

UN Assistant SG: Solutions here to reduce climate impact of buildings and construction industry

Ligia Noronha speaking at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

The world must act on reducing the climate impact of the buildings and construction sector, said Ligia Noronha, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General at the launch of the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris. 

Noronha highlighted the fact that we need to “shave 28 per cent off emissions by 2030 for 2°C, and 42 per cent for 1.5°C.” With around 21 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions linked to the sector, its vital action is taken both by governments and the private sector. 

Noronha highlighted some of these, including:  introducing circularity into the sector, reducing or avoiding the extraction or production of new raw materials; move to ethically produced bio-based construction materials and improve building materials and processes.

Read the full speech

07 Mar 2024 18:09

Nature Meets Architecture at the Buildings and Climate Forum

An exhibition of sustainable, material efficient and nature-inspired building design
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

UNEP’s Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction launched today and highlights the rising influence of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and biophilic design in shaping sustainable urban landscapes. The report revealed that leveraging ecosystem functions – such as climate regulation, water purification, and habitat creation – Nature-based Solutions contribute to improved air and water quality, support biodiversity, and mitigate the urban heat island effect. 

At the Buildings and Climate Forum taking place in Paris, organisations worldwide are highlighting sustainable building projects and solutions. The booths of UNEP-hosted GlobalABC and Cool Coalition underscore the role of zero-emission and resilient buildings and passive cooling solutions.

07 Mar 2024 17:43

Not yet built for purpose: UNEP launches 2023 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction

The buildings and construction sector is not on track to decarbonise by 2050, according to a new report from UNEP and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction.

The report - Beyond Foundations - Mainstreaming sustainable solutions to cut emissions from the buildings sector - reviews the status of policies, finance, technologies, and solutions to monitor whether the building sector is aligned with the Paris Agreement goals. 

“There is no credible path to address climate change without a fundamental shift in the building and construction sector. Now is the time for governments and industries to deliver real-world emission reductions through a true buildings breakthrough,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

The report outlines what is required:

Card on the findings of the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction

07 Mar 2024 11:15

Buildings and Climate Forum starts today in Paris, highlighting steps needed to decarbonize sector

People in a panel discussion at the 2024 Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

The Buildings and Climate Global Forum starts today in Paris, aiming to drive building sector decarbonisation to limit warming to 1.5°C. The buildings and construction sector was responsible for 21 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, so it’s vital that the industry works towards decarbonisation and energy efficiency. 

The two-day event—organised by France and UNEP—will include CEO and ministerial roundtables, exhibitions, and pitches and provide participants with the opportunity to discuss building decarbonisation and resilience. Governments will also be invited to endorse a framework for global efforts to achieve decarbonisation and climate change resilience in the building sector.

Follow the live feed for updates from Paris throughout the event.

06 Mar 2024 17:55

UNEP Chief's remarks ahead of the Buidlings and Climate Global Forum in Paris

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