Two linked sessions at COP30 showcased rising international alignment on forest-positive, low-carbon construction and culminated in strong support for the newly launched Building for Forests Acceleration Plan. The sessions also featured new endorsements of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction from the Government of Brazil and the City of Maringá.
Session 1: Film screening and high-level opening reflections
The morning session screened Our Future: Built by Nature, produced by Open Planet Studios in collaboration with Built by Nature. Gonzalo Muñoz, Climate Change High-Level Champion for the COP25 Presidency, opened the session with remarks underscoring the importance of nature-based solutions in delivering climate and development outcomes.
The screening was attended by several high-level guests, including Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead, former Minister of Environment of Peru, and COP20 President.
Closing reflections were delivered by Jaime Sotela Montero, FCLP Working Group member and President of the Costa Rican Chamber of Wood and Industry, who highlighted Costa Rica's leadership as the first government to formally endorse the Principles following Woodrise in Vancouver earlier this year.
Session 2: Building for Forests Acceleration Plan launch
The second session brought together senior government officials, multilateral agencies, and industry leaders to launch the Building for Forests Acceleration Plan. Speakers included:
- Hongpeng Lei, Mitigation Branch Director at UNEP and Head of the GlobalABC Secretariat
- Ambassador Antonio da Costa e Silva, Chief International Advisor, Ministry of Cities, Brazil
- Norbert Totschnig, Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Austria
- George K. Tarus, Forest Conservation Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Kenya
- Paul King, CEO, Built by Nature
- Judy Zakreski, Co-chair of the GlobalABC Adaptation Hub and Senior Vice President, International Code Council
- Sheam Satkuru, Executive Director, International Tropical Timber Organization
- Silvio Barros, Mayor of Maringá and Chair of the Commission on Environment and Climate Mitigation, Brazilian National Front of Mayors
- Dan Ioschpe, High-Level Climate Champion for COP30
Speakers underscored the need for coordinated implementation across forestry, construction, procurement, and finance to expand access to forest-positive, climate-resilient housing and infrastructure. They highlighted the role of timber and bio-based materials in strengthening value chains, supporting livelihoods, and aligning climate and forest strategies.
Commitments and next steps
The launch of the Building for Forests Acceleration Plan drew broad support from governments and stakeholders, with several interventions from the floor signalling interest in aligning national policies and investment pathways with the Plan. As part of this momentum, Brazil and the City of Maringá announced their endorsement of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction, joining fifteen national governments already engaged.
Together, the two sessions demonstrated growing international commitment to scaling responsible timber use and advancing an integrated approach to forests, construction, and climate resilience.
