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ICBC hosts first Ministerial at COP30, placing people at centre of climate action for the building sector

11 November 2025, Belém, Brazil – The Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC)—co-chaired by France, Brazil, and Kenya—held its first ICBC ministerial meeting today at COP30 in Belém, launching the Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing and a series of additional ICBC products. The high-level gathering brought together ministers and senior government representatives to catalyse global cooperation on climate action in the buildings sector, addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, housing affordability, and building sector decarbonisation.

The first ICBC ministerial meeting marked a pivotal step in advancing international collaboration on building sector decarbonization and climate resilience. With buildings responsible for 34 per cent of global energy-related emissions and 32 per cent of energy demand, while 2.8 billion people worldwide face inadequate housing, the Belém Call for Action establishes that affordability and sustainability must advance together—not as competing priorities.

 

Read UNEP's Press Coverage: Global ministers launch Belém Call for Action to tackle the housing and climate crises

 

 

The Belém Call for Action: Time-bound commitments

Ministers were invited to endorse the Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing, which outlines concrete, time-bound targets to integrate climate action into housing policy:

By 2030, endorsing countries commit to:

  • Integrate climate action into affordable housing policies
  • Work toward establishing an Affordable and Sustainable Housing Finance Alliance with international finance institutions (IFIs) and multilateral development banks (MDBs) to help close the US$1.1 trillion annual investment gap
  • Define and consider Official Development Assistance (ODA) flows for sustainable housing

By 2035, endorsing countries commit to:

  • Align national housing policies with the Déclaration de Chaillot
  • Prioritise housing that meets locally appropriate standards on resource and energy efficiency, emissions, and resilience
  • Prohibit construction in climate-risk areas without  implementing robust protective measures—vital for the 1.12 billion people living in vulnerable settlements

 

Read the full Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing and One-page Flyer 

 

 

Global participation and leadership

The ministerial opened with remarks from Hon. Jader Barbalho Filho, Minister of Cities, Brazil, and Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP, moderated by Ambassador Antônio da Costa e Silva, Chief International Adviser, Ministry of Cities, Brazil.

The meeting brought together ministers and high-level representatives from the ICBC Troika (France, Brazil, Kenya) and champion countries including Germany, United Kingdom, Somalia, Finland, Oman, Fiji, Iraq, Türkiye, Yemen, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Monaco, Estonia, Maldives, Japan, Armenia, Belize, and Canada—alongside representatives from the Green Climate Fund, European Commission, Agence Française de Développement-International Development Finance Club (IDFC), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

 

Beyond housing: Additional ICBC deliverables

In addition to the Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing, ministers endorsed a series of ICBC products developed through extensive consultations with member countries, addressing priorities across the building and construction value chain:

  • Global Framework for Action on Sustainable Public Procurement: Recognizing that public procurement accounts for up to 13 per cent of global GDP and 15 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, ministers welcomed this framework as a powerful instrument to advance sustainability and climate goals through government purchasing power.

  • Principles for Responsible Timber Construction: These principles promote bio-based materials and circular construction practices, supporting sustainable forestry and reducing embodied carbon in buildings.

  • World Championship for Energy Savings: A new initiative that encourages faster improvements in energy intensity in the commercial sector, demonstrating that cost-effective energy efficiency measures are within reach for buildings worldwide.

 

Accountability and progress tracking

To ensure transparency and accountability, endorsing countries will be invited to report annually on their progress implementing the Belém Call for Action. This information will be reflected in future editions of the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (GSR), the sector's flagship stocktake published by UNEP/GlobalABC, showcase countries' progress, highlight innovative case studies and lessons learned, and provide recommendations for addressing ongoing challenges.

 

 

Ministerial outcomes and resources

Outcomes presented at COP30 ICBC Ministerial

The outcomes of the ICBC Ministerial were presented later the same day at the Closing Plenary of the COP30 Ministerial on Urbanisation and Climate Change, demonstrating how countries are tackling climate, housing, and development together as part of the COP30 Action Agenda's Key Objective 12 on Sustainable and Resilient Constructions and Buildings.

Read the Outcomes of the ICBC Ministerial

Watch the Ministerial Meeting

Watch the full recording of the first ICBC Ministerial Meeting held on 11 November 2025 at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

Read Key Documents
Access Photos and Media Materials

First ICBC Ministerial Meeting Trello Board and Media Kit

Download high-resolution photos, graphics, social media assets, and background materials from the ministerial meeting. Available resources include:

  • Photography from the ministerial
  • Belém Call for Action graphics and slides
  • Key messages and quotes
  • Social media content for amplification
Learn More About the ICBC

Discover more about the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC)

The ICBC was established through the Déclaration de Chaillot, endorsed by over 60 countries at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris in March 2024. The Council was officially launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, with its secretariat provided by the GlobalABC, hosted by UNEP and operates within the framework set forth in the Declaration.

The ICBC brings together governments to align national building policies with global climate goals, review progress, issue guidance, and promote cooperation and knowledge sharing across countries. The leadership is organized as a "troika," with France as Chair and Brazil and Kenya as Co-Chairs, reflecting its international and inclusive governance structure.

The Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) serves as a high-level political framework fueled by the recommendations, evidence, and insights generated by the Buildings Breakthrough and the GlobalABC Hubs and Action Groups, among other relevant processes and initiatives. 

 

For any questions please contact Divya Nawale at [email protected] and Clement Charnaillat at [email protected].