Buildings in the negotiated decision of COP29

For the first time, buildings have been formally recognised in the collectively agreed text at COP, marking a significant milestone for the sector in climate negotiations. 

At COP29, Decision -/CMA.6 included for the first time the formal acknowledgment of “the importance of integrating climate action into work on buildings.” This inclusion of this landmark language agreed by all parties at COP underscores the critical role of the built environment in achieving the Paris Agreement's goals and is a signal of the increasing political momentum for climate action in the built environment. 

This recognition stems from the findings of a UNFCCC initiative launched at COP27 (the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme) which is aimed at scaling up mitigation ambition and action during this decisive decade for climate efforts. 

The reference to buildings specifically highlights: 

• Reducing operational emissions, such as those from heating, cooling, and appliances. 
• Enhancing energy efficiency through the design of building envelopes for retrofitting and new construction. 
• Reducing embodied emissions associated with building materials. 
• Advancing spatial planning and low-carbon infrastructure. 
• Promoting electrification and clean technologies, alongside green and blue infrastructure for carbon storage. 
• Integrating climate action into urban planning to align with sustainable development goals and tackle poverty and inequality. 
• Enhanced collaboration between sub-national and national governments.

 

Extract from Decision -/CMA.6: 

"The importance of integrating climate action into work on buildings and urban system planning to reduce emissions through long-term planning in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty and inequality." 

 

Why this matters 

 

Responsible for 21% of global emissions and almost 40% of energy related emissions, buildings and construction have a critical role to play in the net zero transition. This is the first time that the importance of buildings has been directly referred to in the negotiated text. While recommendations do not refer to specific targets, their inclusion does signify growing international consensus on the importance of the building sector in global climate strategies. This milestone builds on key recent developments which aim at driving political momentum behind the integration of the built environment into national climate plans: 

• COP26: A Built Environment Day was formally included on the COP agenda for the first time since the Paris Agreement at COP21. 
• COP27: Established the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme (MWP) aimed at scaling up mitigation ambition and action 
• COP28: Built Environment again formally on the agenda. Launch of the Buildings Breakthrough initiative, with 29 countries committing to strengthen international collaboration. Commitment by 133 countries to double energy efficiency improvements. MWP selects Built Environment as key sector  
• March 2024: The first Global Forum on Buildings & Climate convened and announced the endorsement of the Declaration de Chaillot, with 60+ countries emphasizing the importance of promoting the construction and renovation of Near Zero Emission Resilient Buildings as a key strategy to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. 
• COP29: Establishment of the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate. In the text Decision -/CMA.6 includes the formal acknowledgment of “the importance of integrating climate action into work on buildings.”

 

What does this mean for business and cities 

For business, investors and city leaders, the recognition of buildings within COP29 represents both a call to action and an opportunity. This momentum signals a shift toward a future where the built environment is at the heart of climate solutions.

For businesses and investors, it highlights the urgency of aligning operations, supply chains, and innovations with low-carbon practices and developing costed transition plans, to stay competitive and resilient in a rapidly evolving regulatory and market landscape.

For cities, it underscores the importance of integrating climate action into urban planning, ensuring that investments in infrastructure, housing, energy efficiency and public spaces not only reduce emissions but also foster equity, resilience and just transition for a sustainable future. 

By collaborating across sectors, leaders can leverage this global recognition to drive local action, attract investment, and shape policies that deliver both environmental, social and economic benefits.

 

Looking Ahead 

While it is positive to see this recognition of the role played by buildings, it is important to nurture this momentum into developing actionable goals.

With countries due to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in February 2025, all eyes are now on governments to profile buildings in their commitments and National Action Plans. The decisions made by governments today will shape the role of the built environment in driving climate ambition, ensuring that buildings contribute to a sustainable, equitable, and low-carbon future. 

BuildingToCOP will continue to work together in 2025 to profile the leadership and confidence that industry can bring in taking bolder action, and to advocate for a focus on Buildings at COP30, with the goal of strengthening agreements and bringing the confidence to countries to take ambitious action.