Save the date: Unlocking the potential of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to transform the buildings and construction sector

Unlocking the potential of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to transform the buildings and construction sector

132 NDCs explicitly mention the buildings sector. Among them, 101 point to energy-efficiency opportunities to meet mitigation targets. However, despite progress, NDCs fall short of tapping into the 4.9 GtCO2 of potential annual emissions abatement that could be achieved if countries were to pursue strategic low-carbon and energy-efficient buildings technology deployment. In fact, nearly one-third of the NDCs mentioning buildings do not indicate specific actions in the NDCs and concrete measures and targets are often missing. Hence, buildings-related NDCs only cover less than 15% of buildings sector emissions beyond existing country policies. Ambitious government action and commitment regarding NDCs is essential for putting the buildings and construction sector on a well below 2 degrees path, avoiding unnecessary emissions in both existing and new buildings.

The 2018 GlobalABC Buildings Action Symposium at COP24 provides a platform to unlocking the potential of Nationally Determined Contributions for transforming the buildings and construction sector. The Symposium will present findings from the GlobalABC Guidance Tool on Incorporating Buildings Sector Climate Actions in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Speakers will present best practice cases of countries that have featured buildings and construction in their NDCs in a meaningful manner. The Building Action Symposium will also highlight the need for coordinated action among key stakeholders, including national and sub-national governments, private sector, academia, and civil society, and showcases examples where such coordination has led to creating powerful NDCs. Participants will discuss the way forward, identifying priority steps for making NDCs a powerful tool of transformation. These priority steps will serve as input for other high-level events on buildings and construction during COP24.

This event will be followed by the international winners gala of the Green Solutions Awards 2018, hosted by Construction21. It is a great opportunity to discover the best of buildings, ecodistricts and infrastructures around the world. For more information, access this link.

Register here.