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Support building resilience initiatives this World Green Building Week

13 Sep 2021

World Green Building Week is the world’s largest campaign to accelerate sustainable buildings for everyone, everywhere. Organised by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), it is led by a global network of 70 Green Building Councils and their 36,000 members. 

This year, World Green Building Week takes place 20–24 September 2021 and will focus on accelerating key sustainable development goals towards an inclusive and resilient net zero built environment.

Why is building resilience important?

Buildings are responsible for 38% of global energy-related carbon emissions and 50% of all extracted materials. Four billion people are vulnerable to climate risks and 91% of people worldwide live in areas with air pollution.

By 2050, the world’s building stock will double, increasing the impact of our sector significantly. Its demand on natural resources accelerates climate change, and inefficient, unhealthy buildings are affecting our livelihoods.

To close the environmental, social and economic gaps and protect our planet, people and economies, we must embrace a holistic approach to sustainability. We must work towards systemic changes that provide powerful solutions to climate change, improve human health and equity and drive a circular, regenerative economy.

WorldGBC’s strategy – Sustainable Buildings for Everyone, Everywhere — has identified three critical impact areas for the built environment and the Sustainable Development Goals associated with them which directly support building resilience.

  • #BuildingResilience to climate change
    A resilient built environment combats climate change by enabling affordable and clean energy. It also accelerates the adaptation to, and mitigation of the impacts of climate change on our most vulnerable regions and communities.
  • #BuildingResilience for people
    The social dimensions of a resilient built environment can future-proof communities by addressing equity and climate justice issues. They can provide healthy environments and fairer access to vital social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and green spaces.
  • #BuildingResilience for economies
    A resilient built environment grows green jobs and supports the regeneration of resources and natural systems, providing socio-economic benefit through a thriving circular economy.

Now is the time to deliver sustainable buildings so that we can build back better. Find out how you can get involved and do more to support building resilience by learning, sharing and taking the lead at https://worldgbc.org/WGBW2021.

Published: 13 Sep 2021