As cities and infrastructure evolve, sustainability efforts in the built environment sector become paramount. This month, we dive deeper into the progress, hurdles, and milestones of the race to zero in the built environment.
The BuiltEnvironment team continues to track Race to Zero participants, focusing on ‘key’ businesses across four key sectoral stakeholder groups:
- architect/engineer: 48% of major companies based on revenue
- construction company: 19% of major companies based on sales
- real estate investment company: 19% of major companies based on revenue
- real estate asset manager: 34% of major companies based on sales
new member
Race to Zero has seen a surge in new members this month. Notable companies include UK-based architecture firm Grimshaw and US real estate giant Equinix. Other major participants include EPP NV of the Netherlands, First Capital REIT of Canada, Esh Group and Morrison Hershfield Group Inc. of the United Kingdom, and Gopalan Enterprises (India) Pvt. Ltd. Ltd., Give Steel A/S of Denmark, and SOHO China Limited.
Looking back at the global inventory
A key highlight for us this month was the thought leadership article we wrote for the BuildingToCOP coalition. This article highlights the key messages of the Global Stocktake (GST) for non-party stakeholders in the sector. Among the messages of GST was that buildings and cities remain critical both directly to mitigation and tackling climate change, and as enablers of the energy transition.
“The share of emissions from cities is estimated to be between 67 and 72 percent of global emissions…”
“By ambitiously introducing measures to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, we can reduce emissions while reducing costs and delivering co-benefits.”
“Mitigation actions by non-Party parties will be a key element in successfully achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Main report
Another important achievement was the launch of the 2023 Breakthrough Agenda report, which included, inter alia, the Buildings Chapter co-authored by the Built Environment Climate Champions team. This chapter will help shape collaboration priorities in the upcoming Building Breakthrough Initiative, which is scheduled to be launched at COP28.
event
September is a busy month, with October hosting both MENA and LAC Climate Week.
- 11 September: FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference with keynote speech by Dr. Mahmoud Mohiruddin.
- September 12: World Green Architecture Week featuring His Excellency Razan Al Mubarak.
- 14 September: The BuildingtoCOP forum featured a presentation by Will Wilde, Built Environment Lead for the Climate Change Champions Team.
- 27 September: Emirates Net Zero Forum, Alida Saleh, Senior Advisor, Built Environment and Climate Change, participates in a panel discussion.
Here are the events to expect during MENA Climate Week:
- GlobalABC Track Event: Forging a Pathway to Decarbonize and Build Resilience in MENA, Pre-recorded opening speech by His Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, High-Level Climate Change Champion of COP28;
- GlobalABC Track Event: Forging a Pathway to Decarbonize and Build Resilience in MENA, Alida Saleh, Senior Advisor, Built Environment and Climate Change Champion Team, participating in the panel discussion
- UAE Blueprint Side Event: Alida Saleh, Senior Advisor to the Built Environment and Climate Change Champion Team, gives the opening remarks and participates in the panel discussion.
- Building net-zero carbon cities: paving the way for sustainable urban development in MENA, Alida Saleh, Senior Advisor, Built Environment and Climate Change Champion Team, participating in the panel discussion
Learn more about MENA Climate Week here
Learn more about the built environment at COP28
For the latest information on how the sector is participating in COP, please join us at the BuildingToCOP 28 forum event on October 12th. Led by BuildingToCOP, these forums are designed to highlight opportunities and key moments for the built environment sector in the run-up to COP28.