A coalition of leading green building organisations has unveiled a new initiative to accelerate sustainable practices across the built environment.
The report, Building Transition: How to Scale and Finance an Inclusive Transition for the Built Environment, targets the 75 per cent of buildings that have yet to adopt green building practices.
Launched by the UK’s Building Research Establishment (BRE), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and Alliance HQE-GBC France, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between high-performing buildings and the underperforming majority.
The building sector, responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, requires substantial investment in underperforming assets to achieve large-scale decarbonisation.
Building Transition outlines strategies to attract capital to this untapped segment, ensuring widespread adoption of sustainable practices.
Key recommendations include:
- Policy and taxonomy reform to direct capital toward underperforming buildings
- Global decarbonisation standards with common metrics and tools
- Integration of adaptation and resilience in real estate finance
This initiative builds upon the earlier Financing Transformation guide, which detailed how green building certifications can set benchmarks for sustainable investments.
Jane Goddard, Deputy CEO of BRE, emphasised the importance of inclusive investment strategies, stating: “Bridging the gap between high-performing and underperforming buildings is essential to achieving our global decarbonisation goals.”
Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC, highlighted the need for widespread adoption of green building practices, stating: “Every building needs a decarbonisation plan to help meet emissions reduction goals to mitigate climate change.”
Davina Rooney, CEO of GBCA, stressed the importance of making green finance accessible to all property types, from “iconic CBD towers to suburban homes”.
Yvonne Soh, CEO of SGBC, linked the report to Singapore’s goal of greening 80 per cent of its buildings by 2030, emphasising the role of partnerships in unlocking sustainable finance potential.
Rachel Chermain, CEO of Alliance HQE-GBC France, expressed enthusiasm for developing innovative solutions to transform the built environment sustainably.
The Building Transition report represents a significant step towards making sustainable finance more accessible and ensuring that decarbonisation efforts encompass the entire built environment.
