The road to Paris

The Canada Green Building Council is heading to Paris to participate in the Buildings and Climate Global Forum. The event is a follow up to the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), bringing together ministers and high-level representatives from the companies and organizations  working to advance resiliency and decarbonization in the building sector.

Hosted by France and co-organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the forum has the support of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). Over 800 participants are expected to participate in a series of CEO and ministerial roundtables and plenary meetings, which they hope will result in a global framework to make near-zero-emission and resilient buildings the new normal by 2030.

Globally, the buildings and construction sector accounts for  21 percent of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In Canada, buildings are the third highest emitting sector, accounting for up to 28 percent of GHG emissions when operations, materials, and construction processes are factored in.

The Forum will take place on  March 7-8, 2024, in Paris, France. It follows the launch of the Buildings Breakthrough at COP28, which is supported by 28 governments, including Canada. Canada also co-sponsored the Cement Breakthrough at COP28 and has an opportunity to play a significant role in advancing carbon reductions in the built environment.

CAGBC appreciates the opportunity to participate in the Forum. Global meetings inform and enhance our advocacy efforts, providing an opportunity exchange ideas and approaches with peers from around the world and across the building sector value chain. While attending the Forum, the CAGBC team will pay close attention to sessions focused on accelerating decarbonization, retrofits, affordable housing, resilience, whole life carbon, sustainable financing, low-carbon materials, and capacity building.

Read more about CAGBC at COP28.