The time is now – WorldGBC launches WGBW23

During 11–15 September 2023, the world’s largest campaign to accelerate sustainable built environments for everyone, everywhere – World Green Building Week – will unite the global green building community in a call for systematic transformation of the building and construction sector — #BuildingTheTransition. 

Led by World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) global network of over 75 Green Building Councils (GBCs) and their 46,000 members, the #BuildingTheTransition campaign is calling on the global building and construction sector to accelerate the transition to sustainable green buildings.

Now in its 15th year, the week-long event will show how systems change thinking, and how local solutions can advance key priorities – In Canada, improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and ensuring resiliency in Canada’s built environment. These issues are high on the political agenda; amidst a tipping point in climate change and economic uncertainties, the transition to a sustainable built environment must escalate now if we are to secure a sustainable future for all. 

Against the backdrop of the world’s first Global Stocktake, global attention is shifting to the solutions that must be scaled to keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal within reach. There is no question that the transition to a low-carbon future will see systemic transformation across all sectors. As the largest contributing sector to global energy-related carbon emissions (37% globally), and the third largest in Canada, the built environment is a key enabler of change in the transition to a decarbonized, sustainable and resilient society. 

At the UN Climate Summit COP28 taking place in Dubai, UAE, (30 November–12 December 2023), the world’s first Global Stocktake will result in a review of the collective goals agreed upon under the Paris Agreement, highlighting areas of progress and identifying key gaps before countries submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2024. This is a pivotal moment for change as political and private sector leaders across the world ask “how far have we come?”, and importantly, “how far do we still have to go?” in order to tackle the worst impacts of global heating. 

Throughout World Green Building Week (#WGBW23), WorldGBC’s network will host events across the world and share examples of #BuildingTheTransition. In Canada, there are events that people can participate in:  

• September 12: World Green Building Week: Building the Transition
• September 13: Accelerating to Zero Online: Grid Friendly Electrification
• September 14: Retrofit Resilient Buildings With Dynamic Glass

This year’s campaign will also lead into the UN’s 2023 SDG Summit (18–19 September) and therefore pinpoint 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are essential to catalyze a sustainable built environment.

“World Green Building Week reminds us of the urgent need to collectively do more, faster when it comes decarbonizing buildings. Canada’s building sector has a crucial role to play in achieving the nation’s climate ambitions and realize the economic opportunities this transition presents.

The effort needed to decarbonize Canada’s buildings by 2050 is enormous. However, it is also an investment in Canada’s future prosperity when we prioritize the transition to clean energy, make improvements in energy efficiency for every new building or retrofit, and progress toward resilient cities and neighbourhoods. This is a path that Canada’s green building leaders are already on but we need to lift the entire sector which requires sharing and collaboration. Through our membership in the World Green Building Council we are part of a global movement that strengthens our collective voice and impact on the industry.” 

Thomas Mueller, President and CEO, Canada Green Building Council

“The time for change is now. From 11–15 September, our network is unified in leveraging localized solutions from across the built environment to accelerate a global transition to a decarbonized, sustainable and resilient society. The built environment is the largest contributing sector to global energy-related carbon emissions – and therefore it is key to leveraging solutions to secure a sustainable future for all.

To succeed, these solutions must be scaled up, and that’s why political and industry ambition is crucial. With COP28 in Dubai, UAE, and the world’s first Global Stocktake taking place this year, we are reminded always that 1.5ºC is a limit, not a target. That’s why, during this World Green Building Week, our #WGBW23 and #BuildingTheTransition campaign is inviting our global community, and leaders around the world, to take urgent action to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals and transition to energy efficient, regenerative and just built environments for everyone, everywhere.”

Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council:

Find out more and join the social media campaign at @CAGBC, @WorldGBC, #BuildingTheTransition and #WGBW23.

About World Green Building Week

World Green Building Week is the world’s largest campaign to accelerate sustainable built environments

for everyone, everywhere. Organized by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), it is led by our global network of over 75 Green Building Councils and their 46,000 members. Join us from the 11th-15th of September 2023 to find out how to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals and transition to energy efficient, regenerative and just built environments for everyone, everywhere.

World Green Building Council

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is the largest and most influential local-regional-global action network, leading the transformation to sustainable and decarbonized built environments for everyone, everywhere. Together, with 75+ Green Building Councils and industry partners from all around the world, we are driving systemic changes to:

• Address whole life carbon emissions of existing and new buildings
• Enable resilient, healthy, equitable and inclusive places
• Secure regenerative, resource efficient and waste-free built environments

We work with businesses, organisations and governments to deliver on the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). Find out more www.worldgbc.org

Canada Green Building Council

The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) supports and champions Canada’s green building sector. CAGBC training, services and products such as LEED and the Zero Carbon Building standards help the building sector construct and operate buildings that eliminate environmental impacts, increase asset value and improve human health. By working collaboratively with our members, industry, and government stakeholders, we are building our way forward to a sustainable and low-carbon future. Learn more at cagbc.org.