The first-ever Buildings and Climate Global Forum has seen representatives from 70 countries sign on to the Déclaration de Chaillot – a foundational document for international cooperation on a rapid, fair and effective transition in the sector. The forum was co-organised in Paris by the French Government and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and was attended by more than 1,400 participants. The declaration mentioned that with the acceleration of climate change, buildings would increasingly be exposed to climate-related risks – particularly in developing countries and cities. It anticipated that by 2050, 68% of the world’s population would live in urban areas, with global demand for raw materials expected to double by 2060 – further justifying the need for concrete action in the sector. Signatory countries included France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US, which have all committed to implementing roadmaps, regulatory frameworks, and mandatory building and energy codes to move towards carbon-neutral buildings. They also agreed to introducing an appropriate framework with financial and fiscal incentives, and regulatory tools to increase the share of resilient, near-zero emission and affordable buildings, as well as adopting “ambitious” public procurement policies. “For the very first time, 70 governments from all continents commit to a concrete, operational roadmap with a monitoring mechanism to address the challenges of decarbonisation, resilience, and transition in the buildings and climate sector,” said Christophe Béchu, France’s Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion. “This is a significant moment for diplomacy and climate action.”
The Buildings and Climate Global Forum kicks off today in Paris, France, and aims to form a vision for a future where buildings play an active role in reducing our carbon footprint.
Discover how to #BuildForClimate: https://t.co/mm9Crwr5E9 pic.twitter.com/UI8kbYAy00
— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) March 7, 2024
