
Thought Leadership Archive


As we make buildings greener, residents and workers need a voice
On the final day COP27, world leaders must drive a rapid but just transition of our built environment.

At COP27 the BuildingToCOP Coalition keeps the focus on the built environment as a critical solutions provider for a resilient and zero emissions future
The BuildingToCOP Coalition rallied the sector, responsible for almost 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, around flagship events focused on the key themes of: Finance, Decarbonisation, and Adaptation & Resilience.

List of built environment initiatives announced at COP27, Egypt
Read the full list of initiatives that are collectively driving deep collaboration and triggering a positive systemic transformation in the built environment.

If we act today, we can halve the emissions of the built environment by 2030
This year’s climate summit, COP27, hosted by Egypt, is taking place at a tough time for global collaboration on all matters, such as global security, environment, energy, and most importantly, human survival.

Rethinking solar power for a new generation of green buildings
When you think about solar power and buildings, likely the first picture that comes to mind is rows and rows of black panels on a roof. But for the past three years, an exciting project called ENVISION has been working on a new and improved solution for solar capture.

Energy efficiency is no longer a nice-to-have, but a can’t-do-without
Switching to LED lighting can have a major impact, and the time to act is now.

Africa’s COP must urgently tackle decarbonization
Decarbonization is one of a multitude of acute challenges that cities in the Global South must tackle – but it needs to be a priority.

#BuildingToCOP27 – scaling social, economic and climate resilience in the built environment
We are only one week away from COP27. It’s time to enable the capacity of the built environment to deliver social value and ensure the resilient solutions we need are implemented in our disrupted world. And it’s time for impactful policy responses from local and regional leaders, to enable this much needed transformation.

Swire Properties: Accelerating actions towards net zero
Swire Properties believes that companies with a strong commitment to improving their sustainable development performance will be better prepared to withstand systemic climatic, social, and economic stresses and volatility.

Why uniting digital and sustainability should be at the core of urban infrastructure
Cities have always been a benchmark for human achievement. As we re-build our economies to support green urbanisation, electric mobility, and counter the causes and effects of climate change, new approaches are needed.

Urban Sequoia: Thinking beyond the high-rise to decarbonise the built environment
Last October, I traveled to Glasgow for COP26 to present Urban Sequoia, a concept to address the climate crisis by designing buildings to act like urban trees.

How whole life carbon emissions assessments will reshape data centres
As in other sectors, tech firms are stepping up their net zero commitments, with many aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by as soon as 2030.

Call for case studies: Yearbook of Global Climate Action
The Yearbook of Global Climate Action is an annual report compiled by the High-Level Champions which provides an important snapshot of climate action globally, highlighting key examples of climate action per thematic area.

USGBC Analyst: Impact of the built environment in the Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act passed by the U.S. Senate will drive massive reductions in GHG and energy costs of homes and buildings across the U.S.

#BuildingtoCOP27 Coalition meet COP27 Presidency in Egypt
Partners and experts, from the urban and the climate communities discussed concepts and mechanisms to reach more sustainable cities in the Sustainable Cities Initiative Workshop, hosted by the COP27 Presidency of Egypt in collaboration with The United Nations Human Settlements Programme.

France is championing the development of a buildings breakthrough
France is committed to championing the development of a Buildings Breakthrough as part of the Breakthrough Agenda.

Confirmed: COP27 Solutions Day, 17 November
Under Solutions Day, one of three key themes that will be covered includes: sustainable cities, green buildings and resilient infrastructure.

Action Hub Events at COP27
General information about the Climate Action Hub at COP27.

“It’s now or never” – Cristina Gamboa reacts to latest IPCC report 2022
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that current national pledges are not ambitious enough to stop global warming from exceeding 1.5°C.