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Actualités Climate Action

Focus sur l'action climatique

Photo: Unsplash/Tobias Rademacher

L'urgence climatique est une conséquence directe de l'utilisation des terres et de l'agriculture, des transports, des bâtiments et des processus industriels à forte intensité de carbone, ainsi que des sources d'énergie polluantes. En l'absence de changements profonds dans ces secteurs et d'une réduction drastique de l'empreinte carbone, il y a peu d'espoir de protéger la planète des effets dévastateurs d'un monde plus chaud. 

Ce flux en direct vous tiendra au courant de toutes les dernières nouvelles de la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le changement climatique, connue sous le nom de 29e Conférence des Parties (COP29) à la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (CCNUCC), qui se tiendra à Bakou, en Azerbaïdjan. 

08 Mar 2024 17:34

International Women’s Day at the Buildings and Climate Forum

A group of women pose for a photo at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction highlights the fact that the global construction sector has long been male-dominated, with women representing only a small percentage of workers. There are plenty of women participating in the Buildings and Climate Forum who came together to celebrate International Women’s Day earlier today. 

In India, two women architects are preserving India’s ancient heritage of mud construction by emphasizing the material’s sustainable properties, which make it an ideal way to combat the modern problem of high-carbon construction. Read more here.

Last updated at
08 Mar 2024 15:06

Insights from the Local Leaders Roundtable

A group photo taken at the Local Leaders Roundtable in Paris
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

Local leaders gathered in Paris today to deliver the Outcome Document of the Local Leaders Roundtable on Decarbonizing Buildings. This document serves as a pivotal contribution to the ongoing forum and outlines crucial outcomes and recommendations from the Local Governments Roundtable.

The outcome document highlights:

  1. Recognition of Responsibility: Acknowledgment of the buildings sector's fast-growing responsibility in global CO2 emissions and the need for decarbonization aligned with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable urban development;
  2. Leadership of Local Governments: Recognizing the pivotal role of local governments in fighting climate change, implementing on-the-ground climate action, and adapting to local contexts and vulnerabilities;
  3. Endorsement of Buildings Breakthrough: Recognizing the commitment of 28 countries to the Buildings Breakthrough initiative, pledging to make near-zero emission and resilient buildings the norm by 2030;
  4. Global Awareness and Inclusion: Welcoming multilateral agreements, international events, and initiatives supporting local governments' engagement in the Paris Agreement implementation;
  5. Encouragement for Multilevel Climate Action: Encouraging national governments to involve local and subnational governments in dialogues, ensuring policy coherence, and accelerating climate finance deployment;
  6. Call for Innovation: Encouraging decision-makers to invest in innovation, technologies, and sustainable construction to accelerate building decarbonization;
  7. Continuity of Global Efforts: Emphasizing the importance of these outcomes as inputs for the Ministerial plenary on March 8, 2024, and as part of ongoing global efforts towards buildings decarbonization.

As the Forum progresses, the outcomes from the Local Governments Roundtable will contribute to the final agreement. 

Last updated at
08 Mar 2024 08:34

Ministerial Dialogue Day at Buildings and Climate Forum

A man looking at an object at an exhibition
Photo: Manuel Bouquet 

The second day of the Buildings and Climate Global Forum takes place today in Paris with delegates hoping yesterday’s momentum will continue, with the importance of decarbonizing the building sector has never been more urgent.

Today sees a range of discussions, events and Ministerial Dialogue Day. Here's a glimpse of what's to come:

Day 2 Agenda - March 8, 2024:

09:00–10:30: Déclaration de Chaillot: Together for Implementation

  • A session to discuss and finalize a common framework to enhance global efforts in decarbonization and resilience in the buildings sector.

13:30–16:00: Parallel Sessions on Key Themes:

  • Theme 1: Acting on Buildings to Achieve National Decarbonization Goals
  • Theme 2: Scaling up Climate Finance for Buildings
  • Theme 3: Ensuring a just transition in the built environment
  • Theme 4: Accelerating collective action for building decarbonization and resilience
  • Theme 5: Buildings Breakthrough - the way forward

16:30–17:15: Closing Plenary - Build Our Future: From Paris to Bélem

  • A crucial moment to reflect on the insights gained during the forum and chart the course forward, emphasizing global collaboration to shape a sustainable future for the built environment.
Last updated at
07 Mar 2024 19:04

UN Assistant SG: Solutions here to reduce climate impact of buildings and construction industry

Ligia Noronha speaking at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

The world must act on reducing the climate impact of the buildings and construction sector, said Ligia Noronha, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General at the launch of the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris. 

Noronha highlighted the fact that we need to “shave 28 per cent off emissions by 2030 for 2°C, and 42 per cent for 1.5°C.” With around 21 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions linked to the sector, its vital action is taken both by governments and the private sector. 

Noronha highlighted some of these, including:  introducing circularity into the sector, reducing or avoiding the extraction or production of new raw materials; move to ethically produced bio-based construction materials and improve building materials and processes.

Read the full speech

Last updated at
07 Mar 2024 18:09

Nature Meets Architecture at the Buildings and Climate Forum

An exhibition of sustainable, material efficient and nature-inspired building design
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

UNEP’s Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction launched today and highlights the rising influence of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and biophilic design in shaping sustainable urban landscapes. The report revealed that leveraging ecosystem functions – such as climate regulation, water purification, and habitat creation – Nature-based Solutions contribute to improved air and water quality, support biodiversity, and mitigate the urban heat island effect. 

At the Buildings and Climate Forum taking place in Paris, organisations worldwide are highlighting sustainable building projects and solutions. The booths of UNEP-hosted GlobalABC and Cool Coalition underscore the role of zero-emission and resilient buildings and passive cooling solutions.

Last updated at
07 Mar 2024 17:43

Not yet built for purpose: UNEP launches 2023 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction

The buildings and construction sector is not on track to decarbonise by 2050, according to a new report from UNEP and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction.

The report - Beyond Foundations - Mainstreaming sustainable solutions to cut emissions from the buildings sector - reviews the status of policies, finance, technologies, and solutions to monitor whether the building sector is aligned with the Paris Agreement goals. 

“There is no credible path to address climate change without a fundamental shift in the building and construction sector. Now is the time for governments and industries to deliver real-world emission reductions through a true buildings breakthrough,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

The report outlines what is required:

Card on the findings of the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction

Last updated at
07 Mar 2024 11:15

Buildings and Climate Forum starts today in Paris, highlighting steps needed to decarbonize sector

People in a panel discussion at the 2024 Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris
Photo: Manuel Bouquet

The Buildings and Climate Global Forum starts today in Paris, aiming to drive building sector decarbonisation to limit warming to 1.5°C. The buildings and construction sector was responsible for 21 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, so it’s vital that the industry works towards decarbonisation and energy efficiency. 

The two-day event—organised by France and UNEP—will include CEO and ministerial roundtables, exhibitions, and pitches and provide participants with the opportunity to discuss building decarbonisation and resilience. Governments will also be invited to endorse a framework for global efforts to achieve decarbonisation and climate change resilience in the building sector.

Follow the live feed for updates from Paris throughout the event.

Last updated at
06 Mar 2024 17:55

UNEP Chief's remarks ahead of the Buidlings and Climate Global Forum in Paris

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Last updated at
04 Mar 2024 18:30

Africa's Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain Centre (ACES) opens in Rwanda

People cutting a ribbon
Photo: ACES/Ruzindana Rugasaguhunga

In a momentous occasion led by Rwanda's Environment Minister, Dr. Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya, Africa celebrated the official opening of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) in Kigali. This marks a significant stride in the quest for sustainable cooling solutions across the continent.

A collaborative effort involving UNEP U4E, and partners such as Rwanda and the United Kingdom, ACES aims to revolutionize cold-chain solutions in Africa. Its focus on developing affordable, resilient, and equitable cooling systems is paramount in addressing pressing issues such as food security, economic stability, and public health.

Key features of ACES include an environmental test chamber for certifying equipment tailored to African needs, extensive demonstration of cold-chain equipment, state-of-the-art training facilities, and inclusive courses.

At the heart of ACES lies a commitment to accelerating the deployment of sustainable cold-chain solutions through innovative approaches. This includes the establishment of specialized outreach and knowledge establishments (SPOKEs) across Africa, where transformative solutions will be demonstrated in rural communities.

Read more about the new centre. 

Last updated at
26 Feb 2024 07:51

United Nations adopts landmark global decarbonization strategy in transport by road, rail and inland waterway

Aerial photo of roads
Photo: Unsplash/Denys Nevozhai

UN member States took a decisive step towards sustainable low carbon mobility with the adoption on 23 February of the Inland Transport Committee’s (ITC) Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inland Transport. 

Transport is a large contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for some 23% of annual GHG emissions. Thus, rapid and ambitious climate action by the inland transport sector is imperative.

The strategy aims to transform the way inland transport is approached globally, and to set a medium- and long-term course towards carbon neutrality by 2050, based on the 61 United Nations legal instruments under ITC’s purview. 

Read more on the global decarbonization strategy in transport.

Last updated at
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