COP27 #BuildingsPavilion

Place: #BuildingsPavilion Auditorium (lot. n°113)

Date: 11 November 2022

Time: 12:30-14:00 Eastern European Time

Lead organisation(s): GlobalABC, GBPN, Monash University

Watch Recording

Description

The mention of buildings sector actions in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) increased from 90 countries in 2015 to 158 by November 2022. However, there are a wide variety of ways in which buildings sector climate actions are mentioned and described in NDCs.

Some countries have provided comprehensive descriptions of their actions, including energy and emissions reduction targets. In some cases, links to adaptation have also been made. Other countries provide only a brief mention of buildings sector actions as contributing to energy or industry mitigation goals. Few countries include measurable, reportable, and verifiable emission reduction targets for their buildings sectors that are aligned with the Paris Agreement 1.5oC goal. Therefore, more needs to be done to ensure all countries include buildings sector actions in their NDCs, and that they are sufficiently ambitious and holistic to halve buildings sector emissions by 2030 and achieve zero-emissions by 2050.

This event introduces a new set of criteria to identify front-runner commitments when it comes to buildings sector commitments in NDCs. The criteria will be showcased in a digital tool to help benchmark and increase ambition. The session will explore the approaches government and non-state actors are taking to include buildings sector actions in their commitments. 

Session Objectives

1. Greater understanding of how building sector actions can be incorporated in NDCs and the wider commitment ecosystem 
2. Shared knowledge on approaches government and non-state actors are taking to include building sector actions in their commitments
3. Multi-stakeholder engagement to build a transparent tool for sharing buildings sector action commitments

Live version of the tool

Speakers

• Jonathan Duwyn, Programme Officer, Buildings and Construction, GlobalABC / UNEP (moderator; in person)
• Dr Peter Graham, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Monash University Australia & Executive Director, GBPN (online) 
• Dr. Ashraf Kamal, Professor in Urban Planning and Economics, Housing and Building National Research Center, Egypt (online) 
• Jamila El Harizi, Head of Architectural Valorization and Sustainability Division, Ministry of National Territory Planning, Land Planning, Housing and City Policy, Morocco (online)
• Dr Sunita Purushottam, Head of Sustainability at Mahindra Lifespace Developers, India (in person)
• Dr Diane Kraal, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Business Law and Taxation, Monash University Australia (in person)
• Craig Burton, Senior Research Manager, Department of Architecture, Monash University Australia & Head of Knowledge Innovation, GBPN (online)

Agenda

• Introduction from moderator – overview of the session, introduction of panellists, and offer broad insights of the theme and the research from Global ABC/UNEP Perspective - 5 min
• Panellist 1: Dr Peter Graham - overview of the 11 Criteria for ‘Front-Runner’ Buildings Sector Commitments research and tool. - 5 min
• Panellist 2: Dr Ashraf Kamal  – insights on the buildings sector commitments in Egypt, what support they need and what recommendations they make to others. - 10 min
• Panellist 3: Jamila El Harizi - insights on the buildings sector commitments in Morocco, what support they need and what recommendations they make to others. - 10 min
• Panellist 4: Dr Sunita Purushottam - commitments that Mahindra Lifespace Developers have made in order to decarbonise the value chain. - 10 min
• Panellist 5: Dr Diane Kraal - overview of net zero buildings commitments Monash University has made. - 10 min
• Panellist 6: Craig Burton - Presentation of the Built Environment specific Commitment (BEC) Tool - 10 min
• Discussion and Q&A - 25 min
• Wrap up, signal next steps for taking this theme forward. - 5 min