DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (ChatnewsTV) — A new initiative aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions in the buildings sector was unveiled today at the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29). The Zero Emissions and Resilient Buildings (ZERB) Accelerator, spearheaded by the Subnational Climate Action Leaders’ Exchange (SCALE), seeks to tackle emissions from buildings and bolster climate resilience through collaboration with local governments worldwide.
“Buildings contribute significantly to the climate crisis, accounting for over a third of global carbon emissions through their operations and construction,” said SCALE spokesperson at COP 29. “This makes the sector a critical focus for reducing emissions and improving resilience against climate impacts like flooding, heatwaves, and severe storms.”
The ZERB Accelerator aims to replicate the momentum of SCALE’s previous success, the Lowering Organic Waste Methane (LOW-Methane) initiative, which launched in 2023. According to organizers, the ZERB initiative will unite a global network of cities, states, and regions, each dedicated to ambitious carbon reduction targets and resilience-building in the construction industry.
The initiative aligns with existing global efforts to decarbonize the building sector, including the Buildings Breakthrough, a campaign to make clean technologies affordable by 2030, and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction’s (Global ABC) Subnational Stakeholders Action Group.
To achieve its goals, ZERB plans to enhance coordination between local jurisdictions and national governments while forming partnerships with a diverse coalition of organizations. These partners will provide expertise in areas such as policy development, technical assistance, financing, and data monitoring.
“Collaboration across all levels of government is essential,” said a SCALE representative. “This initiative will ensure that cities and regions have the tools and resources needed to achieve meaningful climate action in the buildings sector.”
The first members to join the ZERB Accelerator include Maryland and Washington in the United States, alongside Bogotá, Colombia. They will receive support from a wide array of organizations, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Green Building Council, and several U.S. Department of Energy research labs. Other supporters include C40 Cities, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and the World Resources Institute.
Organizers emphasized that the ZERB Accelerator’s multilevel approach aims to create a ripple effect, driving national and international efforts to cut emissions and improve building resilience.
“By bringing together cities, states, and leading institutions, we hope to foster a wave of change that not only reduces emissions but also enhances the sustainability and durability of our buildings in the face of a changing climate,” said the spokesperson.
The launch of the ZERB Accelerator represents a significant step in global efforts to confront the dual challenges of climate mitigation and adaptation, with the buildings sector playing a pivotal role. The initiative’s backers hope it will serve as a model for future climate collaborations.
COP 29, taking place in Dubai, is focused on accelerating global climate action, with key sectors like the buildings industry under scrutiny for their impact on emissions and climate resilience.
