Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC)

In March 2024, the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris marked an important step for the building sector's role in global climate action. The event culminated in the adoption of the Declaration de Chaillot, endorsed by over 60 countries, establishing the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC). This council brings together governments to collaborate on accelerating decarbonization and resilience in the building sector, aligning national actions with international climate goals. ICBC is coordinated by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) and operates within the framework set forth in the Declaration.

The Role and Objectives of the ICBC

The Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) provides a structured forum for governments to work together on addressing climate challenges in the building sector. Its primary functions include:

• Facilitating International Cooperation: ICBC enables countries to exchange knowledge, share successes and challenges, and explore effective policies for sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation.
• Aligning Policies with Global Goals: Supporting the alignment of national initiatives in the building sector with the Paris Agreement’s objectives for decarbonization and resilience.
• Monitoring Progress: Reviewing the implementation of decarbonization strategies and climate resilience measures in the building sector, while fostering global collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Guiding Global Action: Developing policy recommendations, issuing common statements, and providing technical briefs to assist member states in advancing sustainable transformation in the building sector.

By complementing the GlobalABC and the Buildings Breakthrough, ICBC strengthens global coordination and action within the building sector to address climate goals effectively.

Key Milestones

• First Information Meeting: Held online in two sessions on 26 September 2024.
• Second Information Meeting: Hosted by the OECD on 10 October 2024, as part of the 3rd OECD Sustainable Buildings Roundtable.
• Institutionalization of ICBC: Achieved on 20 November 2024 at COP29 during the High-Level Roundtable on Green Construction, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, and Climate Resilience. Ministers and high representatives from Brazil, Estonia, France, the UK, Kenya, Lithuania, Tanzania, Uganda, and others participated in the event. You can download the summary report or watch the event recording below.

The ICBC's leadership comprises a troika, with France as Chair and Kenya and Brazil as Vice-Chairs, demonstrating a collaborative, global approach to sustainable buildings. As part of this leadership, Brazil will host the upcoming ministerial meeting at COP30.

👉 Read the French Ministry of Territories, Ecology, and Housing's Press Release on the ICBC Launch: Click Here

👉 Read the UNEP's Technical Highlight on the ICBC Launch: Click Here

Voices from ICBC Leadership

Jader Barbalho Filho, Minister of Cities, Brazil:
"Aligned with our commitment to the Declaration de Chaillot, Brazil recognizes the construction sector's potential to mitigate climate change effects. Social housing programs are central to this vision. Through the new federal financial program (PAC), investments in slum redevelopment and social housing are key initiatives to support vulnerable families by improving and constructing residential buildings. Climate justice is inseparable from social justice, and local actors’ efforts are vital to reaffirming the goals of the Declaration."

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate, and Risk Prevention, France:
"France is firmly committed to decarbonizing buildings, with ambitious energy efficiency regulations already in place. Now, a global mobilization is essential to address the climate challenges of this sector. The institutionalization of the ICBC under the Declaration de Chaillot represents a critical political milestone. Our ambition is to make the ICBC a key tool for ministers driving this transformation."

Alice Wahome, Minister of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, Kenya:
"Kenya is at a turning point in its efforts to combat climate change, particularly in the construction sector. With significant progress made under our Vision 2030 initiative, we aim to integrate climate considerations into building practices and promote green technologies. As part of the ICBC troika, Kenya is committed to enhancing coordination and international cooperation to ensure climate-conscious development."

Watch the COP29 Inauguration of ICBC

How to Join ICBC and Endorse the Declaration de Chaillot

Countries interested in officially joining ICBC and endorsing the Declaration de Chaillot are required to complete the following steps:

1. Download the Endorsement Template: The template is available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. It can be accessed in the section below.
2. Complete the Template: Fill in all required information.
3. Submit the Completed Template: Send the completed document to [email protected], ensuring that [email protected] and [email protected] are copied (CC) on the correspondence.

For any additional information or questions, please contact the GlobalABC Secretariat at [email protected].