Rotterdam, the Netherlands © Paul van de Velde
Rotterdam, the Netherlands © Paul van de Velde

World Green Building Council sets target

The World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) ‘Advancing Net Zero’ initiative is a new project aiming to ensure all buildings are ‘net zero’ by 2050.

As part of the consortium, GBCs from Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Brazil, India and South Africa will take part in the inaugural stages of the project.

WorldGBC is a network of green building councils representing more than 100 nations, and the largest of such international organisations in the world.

Speaking at the Business and Climate Summit in London, UK, Terri Wills, CEO of WorldGBC, said: “The success of our ambitions to keep global warming to within 1.5 to 2 degrees will depend on our ability to advance net zero buildings – those which generate clean energy and produce no net emissions. Net zero buildings will be a defining contribution in our efforts to tackle climate change.

“Getting down to zero won’t be easy. This will be a long and challenging road but, together with the dedication and expertise of our green building councils and partners, we can create a thriving market for highly efficient buildings and make net zero the new normal.”

According to WorldGBC: ‘By driving collaboration and increasing the profile of the green building market, the WorldGBC works with its member councils to ensure that green buildings are a part of any comprehensive strategy to deliver carbon emission reductions’.

WorldGBC policy includes the innovative €2.35m Horizon 2020-funded project ‘BUILD UPON’, which works with stakeholders (governments, NGOs, businesses, etc.) to adapt existing buildings to the changing needs of modern society through international events.

Architecture 2030, a non-profit organisation working to reduce emissions from buildings and promoting smart cities, will act as lead partner, providing training and technical expertise to the ‘Advancing Net Zero’ project.

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