AFTER COP28: TOWARDS NET ZERO IN AEC SECTORS

I am greatly encouraged by the announcement of a new COP28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions & Climate Action Partnership?endorsed by 74 countries to mainstream women’s leadership, decision-making, and financing in the just transition required by the Paris Agreement. Women are key agents of climate solutions. There will not be climate justice without gender justice.

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) took place over the last two weeks at Dubai. With buildings accounting for 40 % of global carbon emissions, sustainable urban development and decarbonization of the construction sector were two pertinent topics. COP28 conference offered a platform for the industry to redefine its contribution to a climate-conscious world, and it provided insights into how to strike a balance between immediate profitability and enduring environmental stewardship.

During this eventful experience, I had the privilege of attending some exciting discussions and taking part in numerous exchanges, notably on the future of sustainable housing and construction. ?Key topics related to buildings sector were:

·?????? Global Stocktake: closing the gap

·?????? Mitigation: increased global ambition and NDCs

·?????? Mitigation: accelerated energy transition

·?????? Adaptation

·?????? Climate Finance

Opportunities for advancing the energy transition through sustainable urban development were recognized on 6 December with the launches of the Buildings and Cement Breakthroughs, which garnered support from over 30 countries to advance the decarbonization of the buildings and construction sector by 2030. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment also launched the Waste to Zero coalition, a first-of-its-kind effort to bring together all levels of government, NGOs and business to decarbonize the waste sector and accelerate the shift towards circular and regenerative modes of industry and production.

As AEC sector stakeholders, we explored the tangible steps private sector actors in the built environment can and need to take before the presentation of the Buildings Breakthrough during the ministerial Global Forum in Paris in March 2024.? The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)’s in person workshops? provided tools to work towards the global goal of halving emissions by 2030 to achieve a fully decarbonized built environment by or before 2050.? WBCSD identified these changes and equipped attendees with the knowledge needed to transform with the market, staying at the front of topics in sustainability and the built environment.

Both net zero carbon and social equity have taken on increasing momentum within real estate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals in recent years. Based on the discussions at COP28, we learnt that many companies have intensified their commitments along both lines, but real estate professionals often consider environmental and social initiatives as distinct pursuits under the ESG and diversity, equity & inclusion umbrellas.? The real estate industry’s influence over the built environment and on wealth and wellbeing situates it in a unique position to address the intersecting challenges of climate and social equity.? Global leaders from world-leading companies shared what they are doing to deliver low-carbon projects across the built environment from commercial office space to urban transport systems to critical water supply infrastructure to mass housing.? It’s a rare chance to get the perspective of architect, contractor, and material supplier all together, with the insight of leading consultancies as well.? Many knowledgeable NGO leaders and CEOs were speakers at the events.

A spotlight of district cooling as an energy and environmental strategy for cities, communities, and campuses featuring experts on district cooling, demonstrated the critical role district cooling can play in energy efficiency, the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, and climate change mitigation. ?We learnt how to better implement and optimize district cooling to achieve our goals.

Energy transition changemakers was a showcase of decarbonization projects selected by an expert committee, highlighting particularly innovative and scalable solutions. There was a showcase event for each of four sectors: renewables and clean power, energy efficiency, heavy emitting sectors, and low-carbon hydrogen.? By studying some of the best decarbonization projects, we were informed about future decisions on our own decarbonization projects.

Net zero cement and concrete solutions were discussed to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon construction materials with policymakers and construction value chain leaders.? We learnt about the future of concrete, cement, and embodied carbon to get a chance to be ahead of the curve on net-zero concrete, rather than behind it.

Global eCooking Coalition (GeCCo) presented action plans and mobilize finance across the board, and government leaders shared how they have begun the eCooking transition by working with GeCCo to demonstrate opportunities in the future. We felt after every panel that one of the major paths to global net zero is based on electrification. With large proportions of the world still using biomass for their cooking which poses health, environmental, and climate negative effects, electric cooking offers a way of leveraging the path to net zero for a just energy transition.

ULI panel on the demand of Sustainable Buildings and Tightening Regulations to Drive Business Case for Investment?was about rising demand for sustainable buildings, more restrictive regulations, and mounting costs from physical climate risks.?Discussions around green, nature-based solutions to implement in urban planning, design, and CRE was so valuable with a more sustainable future ahead since nature-based solutions may be the most innovative and effective way forward.?

The message in the closing plenary at COP28 on Wednesday morning was clear:? This deal does represent significant progress for the countries that want to tackle the climate crisis AND the world has to accept to stop FOSSIL FUEL dependent life NOW.