The world is recognising the urgent action needed to transform the urban environment to tackle the climate crisis. According to the UN World Green Building Council Global Status Report 2017, buildings are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for more than half of total city emissions on average, and are a significant source of air pollution.
Many cities are starting to put in place transition plans. C40, a global network of nearly 100 mayors, has led the charge by launching the Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Declaration in 2018; signatories (28 to date, including five non-members) pledge to enact regulations or planning policy to ensure new buildings operate at net-zero carbon by 2030 and all buildings follow suit by 2050.
