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The sustainable transition depends on scaling positive change now! WorldGBC announces #BuildingTheTransition for World Green Building Week

The sustainable transition depends on scaling positive change now! WorldGBC announces #BuildingTheTransition for World Green Building Week

BDC News Team June 5, 2023

On World Environment Day (5 June), the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) announces its 14th annual World Green Building Week, taking place 11–15 September 2023.  As the largest contributing sector to global energy-related carbon emissions (37% globally), the built environment is a key agent of change to deliver on the

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WorldGBC spotlights female leader driving Asia Pacific’s sustainable building movement

Kenneth Booth December 3, 2020

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) ‘Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards’, showcases the businesses and innovators breaking ground for sustainable buildings. One of this year’s categories, Women in Green Building Leadership Award, celebrates the inspiring female leaders from the movement. Other awards categories include: The Business Leadership in

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BDC 319 : Aug 2024

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The sustainable transition depends on scaling positive change now! WorldGBC announces #BuildingTheTransition for World Green Building Week

The sustainable transition depends on scaling positive change now! WorldGBC announces #BuildingTheTransition for World Green Building Week

BDC News Team June 5, 2023

On World Environment Day (5 June), the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) announces its 14th annual World Green Building Week, taking place 11–15 September 2023.  As the largest contributing sector to global energy-related carbon emissions (37% globally), the built environment is a key agent of change to deliver on the systemic transition needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.  This World Green Building Week — #BuildingTheTransition — calls on the global building and construction sector to accelerate the transition to secure an energy efficient, regenerative and just future for all. Led by a network of over 75 national Green Building Councils (GBCs) and their 46,000 members, the week-long event will show how through systems change thinking, and leveraging local solutions, we can transition to sustainable built environments.  This year, all eyes are on the world’s first Global Stocktake, expected to show the status of our efforts in implementing the Paris Agreement. Political and private sector leaders across the world are asking “how far have we come?”, and importantly, “how far do we still have to go?” in order to tackle the worst impacts of global warming, humanitarian challenges and economic uncertainties.  There is no question that the world must undergo a transition to ensure better outcomes for nature and people. But this transition won’t happen on its own. It requires systemic transformation across all sectors, including buildings and construction. An urgent understanding of what the transition entails, and a profound shift in how all stakeholders think and act on any given choice is imperative to secure an equitable and just future for all. Throughout World Green Building Week, WorldGBC’s network will host events across the world and share examples of #BuildingTheTransition across three themes: the energy transition, regenerative transition and just transition. 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 catalyse a sustainable built environment. #BuildingTheTransition’s three themes highlight how the built environment can support the Paris Agreement and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: The Energy Transition The energy transition is about more than switching to renewable energy. We’re talking about a complete systemic change. Accelerating the uptake of built environments that reduce energy demand, store and share clean energy, and produce more energy than they use. It’s investing in clean technologies and driving economies of scale. And it’s deep retrofitting existing buildings to be exceptionally energy efficient. The Regenerative Transition How do we advance regenerative principles in the built environment from niche to normal? Our planet’s resources give us life, but they are not infinite. Humans and the built environment must exist together within a cycle of natural systems. That means not just protecting biodiversity but prioritising its restoration, embracing nature-based solutions, and creating a thriving circular economy across the entire building value chain. The Just Transition We cannot achieve climate justice without social justice. The people who have contributed the least to environmental degradation are suffering the biggest consequences. Equality is not the same as equity. Advancing a just transition in the built environment means committed solidarity to protect human rights from financial flows, to supply chains, to geopolitics.  Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council: “A final reminder. That’s what we have from this year’s Sixth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A final reminder before we are evicted by an uninhabitable planet.  In the run up to COP28 in Dubai, UAE, and in the world’s first Global Stocktake year, we must remember that 1.5ºC is a limit, not a target. Our aim cannot be to only avoid the worst-case scenario when we are capable of so much more. The building and construction sector has the ability to mobilise and scale available solutions now to deliver a future that is energy efficient, regenerative and just. Scaling these solutions requires political will and industry ambition. As the largest contributing sector to carbon emissions, the built environment is at a historical juncture to deliver on the required transitions in a decisive decade. That’s why this World Green Building Week our #BuildingTheTransition campaign is leveraging localised solutions from the built environment to accelerate a global transition to a decarbonised, sustainable and resilient society. Between 11–15 September, we’re inviting our global community to take urgent action to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals and transition to energy efficient, regenerative and just built environments for everyone, everywhere.” Find out more and join the social media campaign at @WorldGBC, #BuildingTheTransition and #WGBW23. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Ahead of COP26, green business leaders around the world call for government and industry action on buildings and infrastructure

Kenneth Booth October 21, 2021

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has published a new report, with the support of Dar Group and its member firms Integral Group, T.Y. Lin, Perkins&Will and Currie & Brown, to identify opportunities for how an integrated approach to the whole built environment is essential to deliver change commensurate with the commitments of the Paris Agreement. The report ‘Beyond Buildings: Why an integrated approach to buildings and infrastructure is essential for climate action and sustainability’argues for  systemic and integrated infrastructure solutions to improve sustainability outcomes.  Business leaders recognise that the built environment – buildings and infrastructure – must be on a clear path to decarbonise at the latest by 2050 and have made significant progress by 2030. The WorldGBC network calls on the built environment industries for collaboration and alignment in ambition for all asset types, in all places to accelerate the transition of the infrastructure sector. The urban built environment alone is responsible for 75% of annual global GHG emissions, with buildings accounting on its own for 37%. Members of the media are welcome to join our #BuildingToCOP26, hosted by WorldGBC, GlobalABC & UKGBC, on 21 October 2021 at 4pm GMT for the launch and discussion forum of the Beyond Buildings report. Register free here.  This new report is a call to action for the built environment industry and policy makers to respond to the climate crisis with both the building and infrastructure sectors acting together.  In Beyond Buildings, the WorldGBC presents the interconnection between buildings and infrastructure, and argues that systemic and integrated solutions will unlock improved sustainability outcomes. They will also accelerate the change in trajectory of GHG emissions from the built environment.   Through presenting the roles that both the private and public sectors must play in terms of investment, policy and procurement, WorldGBC’s work identifies that a global framework of principles is necessary to accelerate sustainability performance across infrastructure. If we are to succeed in this critical decade, united action across all sub-sectors of the built environment industry is essential as the purpose of much of our built infrastructure is to create and support places for people.  WorldGBC calls for collaboration amongst all actors in the development of a framework of principles. These principles should be adapted and verified at a local level in order to align with the 1.5° emissions trajectory and the United Nations´ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and be applicable to all asset types, to be co-created, agreed, and universally pursued. This report sets us on the path of that journey.  Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champion for COP26, said: “How our towns, cities and countries continue to grow really matters to the global climate crisis. We have to realise that what worked in the built environment and infrastructure sectors in the past will not work in the future.  “The world faces crisis on multiple fronts, which is why we’re putting collaboration in infrastructure and built environment – a sector that contributes 75% of annual global GHG emissions – at the heart of everything we do. “Only by forging new partnerships and all-party agreements can we overcome the challenges facing our planet and society today.” Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council, said:  “In the lead up to the Cities, Regions and Built Environment day at COP26, the importance of considering all aspects of the built environment – both the buildings we live in, and the infrastructure that supports them – is critical for taking a holistic and systemic approach to climate action and sustainable development. If we’re to build a better, brighter future, the infrastructure sector needs to de-link its growth from emissions by embracing a systemic approach which delivers sustainable built environments for everyone, everywhere.  “The Beyond Buildings report sets out a path forward to support the rapid adoption of best practice sustainability outcomes across the building, construction and infrastructure space. It identifies critical next steps for the deep transformation needed to meet 2030 reduction goals. “Our green building network, its partners, members and other organisations advancing sustainable infrastructure and buildings are ready to accelerate this massive transition and ensure a zero carbon, resilient, healthy and sustainable future.” Richard Palmer, Director of Global Sustainability, Integral Group, said: “The built environment is such an important part of addressing both the causes and impacts of climate change. This report highlights the opportunities between buildings and infrastructure to accelerate climate action at the scale and speed demanded by science.” Ref 1: UN Environment. ‘2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction’ [2021] Find out more at worldgbc.org

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WorldGBC spotlights female leader driving Asia Pacific’s sustainable building movement

Kenneth Booth December 3, 2020

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) ‘Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards’, showcases the businesses and innovators breaking ground for sustainable buildings. One of this year’s categories, Women in Green Building Leadership Award, celebrates the inspiring female leaders from the movement. Other awards categories include: The Business Leadership in Sustainability Award presented to Cundall, and The Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award presented to CoEvolve Northern Star by CoEvolve Estates, Chai Wan Campus for the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong by Ronald Lu & Partners, Paramit Factory in the Forest by Paramit Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and Special Recognition to Arthaland Century Pacific Tower by Arthaland Corporation. Women in Green Building Leadership Award In a traditionally male-dominated industry, the Women in Green Building Leadership Award represents a significant step to encourage women and diversity in leadership. WorldGBC recognises the increasingly important role that women have to play as sustainability champions and is proud that almost half of the CEOs from its 40 Established Green Building Councils are women. This award was designed with the support of WorldGBC’s regional partner, AkzoNobel. Ye Qing, winner of the Women in Green Building Leadership Award, is a renowned green building leader from China. She is acknowledged for her 20 years’ service as an ardent advocate for sustainability in the built environment. As President at the Shenzhen Institute of Building Research (IBR), Ye Qing has driven the design of over 60 million square metres of green buildings, and the planning of 6,000 square kilometres of green cities in China. In 2005, Ye Qing initiated Shared Design, a methodology to bring the project owner and design team together to ensure a balance between people, nature, buildings and cities. Shared Design has now been incorporated into national standards, following its proven impact. In 2019 Ye Qing also helped to develop the China Assessment Standard for Green Building. Ye Qing, said: “Women have a natural affinity with Green buildings. Green means nature and embodies our living world, our mother earth. Women are an icon for all life and love. With the symbiosis and sustainability in nature, women can instil the essence of love in the development of green building. So as global society recognises the importance of green buildings to protect our world, it is also a fitting platform for the promotion of diversity, gender equality and for women’s social status and career development”. Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards 2020 The biennial event, first held in 2014, celebrates Asia Pacific’s brightest achievements towards a more sustainable built environment. An independent panel of high-profile judges assessed nominations from Asia Pacific Green Building Councils and selected winners in three awards categories:  The Women in Green Building Leadership Award The Business Leadership in Sustainability Award The Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award (Residential, Institutional, Commercial) Other winners: Business Leadership in Sustainability Award  Winner: Cundall (Australia) – awarded for Cundall’s commitment to reducing its impact on the planet by developing a sustainability policy with impressive targets and action plans, from zero carbon energy to ethics and equity. David Clark, Director & Partner, Cundall:             “Climate change, health and wellbeing and the biodiversity crisis are just some challenges we face as a global society. Is there any moral alternative other than taking action? This humbling recognition is an opportunity to share our journey and highlight the initiatives we’ve implemented so far. If we can inspire others to embrace sustainable approaches, that would be the best result to come from winning the Business Leadership in Sustainability Award.” Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award  (Residential) Winner: CoEvolve Northern Star by CoEvolve Estates (India) – the highest rated green building in the state of Karnataka. Spokesperson, CoEvolve: “It is a great honour to be recognized by the World Green Building Council. This is our second nomination after Asset Aura (2016). Our relentless efforts in building sustainable communities has been validated by this award. Sustainable living is not only the right way forward but THE ONLY way forward. We hope this recognition will motivate others to go green. CoEvolve Estates remains committed to a sustainable future.” (Institutional) Winner: Chai Wan Campus for the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) by Ronald Lu & Partners (Hong Kong) – a campus designed as a vertical community-centric green space. Spokesperson, Ronald Lu & Partners:             “We salute WorldGBC who recognises the THEi New Campus at ChaiWan as a new benchmark for high-density-low-carbon sustainable campus, and our client – the Vocational Training Council who is committed to such vision at the outset. The Campus is the making of a community for learning, innovation and knowledge creation, where urban climate is harnessed, sky-rise biodiversity is nurtured, social inclusiveness and wellness are fostered”. (Commercial) Winner: Paramit, Factory in the Forest by Paramit Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) – a case study of industrial biophilic design, integrating nature with complex climate-control systems. Spokesperson, Paramit: “Industrial Buildings conceived and oriented in ‘sustainable thinking’ will reduce operational cost, meet functional goals and uplift human spirits. Our mission was to urgently make this point in a rapidly developing region with hundreds of large factories coming up every year. This award helps us make that point and we are honored to have received it.” Special Recognition for Advancing Net Zero goes to Arthaland Corporation (Philippines) for its net zero carbon Arthaland Century Pacific Tower. Jaime C. González, Vice-Chairman and President, Arthaland Corporation: “As a real estate company fully committed to the development of green and sustainable properties, we are delighted that our efforts have been recognized. We are particularly proud of the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, the first certified net zero carbon building in the Philippines. I wish the World Green Building Council – Asia Pacific Network and its members more power and thank you for this very much appreciated recognition.” Read more information about each winner.

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