The built environment is not on track to halve emissions by 2030 or achieve net zero by 2050, despite buildings contributing nearly 40% of global energy-related emissions and half of all extracted materials.

However, the sector holds over 40% of the solutions needed to double energy efficiency by 2030. At COP29 in Baku, the World Green Building Council urged governments to:

• Align NDCs with a 1.5°C trajectory, including building codes and decarbonisation roadmaps.

• Boost climate finance, tripling energy efficiency investments and supporting vulnerable communities.

• Integrate resilience into building policies for climate adaptation.

• Commit to the Buildings Breakthrough initiative for collaborative progress.

This briefing paper, 'Be bold on buildings', outlines key sustainable building policy positions from WorldGBC and the global Green Building Council network, serving as a resource for GBCs and partners when engaging policymakers and negotiators at COP29. 

Immediate action is critical to align construction with Paris Agreement goals.