With the dust now settling on a dramatic last few days at the Paris climate negotiations, UK-GBC has been reflecting on the importance of the deal in the cold light of day.
First and foremost, the achievement of securing a new global deal, including all the major emitters should not be underestimated. This sends a signal to both policy makers and the private sector that there is a clear global direction of travel on carbon emissions and a framework for action.
Secondly, the mechanisms for reporting on progress, transparency around that progress and ratcheting up action over time, offer real hope that the agreement can be strengthened and ambitions raised, in order to drive the necessary emissions reductions. There is an ongoing obligation on all of us to ensure Paris is the start, not the end of the journey.
Thirdly - and of particular relevance for UK-GBC and the wider WorldGBC network - the role of the private sector was more constructive, visible and more important than ever before. Our members played a part here with their Climate Pledges, along with like minded companies from all around the world. This helped provide negotiators with the confidence to secure a deal, and also means it is not just down to nation states to make good on their pledges.
Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive of UK-GBC said: "COP21 feels like a new chapter in the global fight against climate change. The atmosphere on the ground was hugely positive, and the willingness of the private sector to support an ambitious outcome came through loud and clear. I look forward to working with our members to turn that ambition into reality."
Caroline Hill, Head of Sustainability, Land Securities - and one of the members who committed to a Climate Pledge: “At Land Securities we’re delighted that negotiators came out with a deal in Paris. It offers much needed certainty for investors and should be a spur for the buildings sector to make a more rapid transition to a low carbon future. Having spent time at COP21 there was a palpable sense that real estate businesses were keen to play their part in putting a deal into practice, and that’s certainly something we’ll be doing at Land Securities. We’re already scoping out a project that will look at what a science-based (below 2C) trajectory would mean for our own portfolio of properties.”
Terri Wills, CEO World Green Building Council, said: “The first ever Buildings Day was a real triumph. Not only did major global influencers publicly recognise how green buildings can combat climate change, but they also acknowledged the key role that Green Building Councils play in driving action on the ground.
“The Paris Agreement sends a signal to markets, countries and citizens that climate change is a clear and present danger, that the solutions to address it are available, and that we must change the way our economies and cities develop and prosper. Green building will play a fundamental part in that shift – and Green Building Councils and their members are already rolling up their sleeves and getting to work to deliver.”
