Buildings Day at COP 21:
Mobilizing the Building and Construction Sector for Climate Action

Buildings Day at COP 21: Mobilizing the Building and Construction Sector for Climate Action was held on 3 December 2015 in Paris, France, during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Organized by the UN Environment Programme’s Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP DTIE), the event considered the role of buildings in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and promoting energy efficiency. It was part of ‘Buildings Day,’ the first to be held at a UNFCCC COP, organized to provide an opportunity to launch an alliance of organizations collectively committed to, among other things, helping to put the buildings and construction sector on the ‘below 2°C path.’ Events and actions under ‘Buildings Day’ were held throughout the day.

Participants at the Mobilizing the Building and Construction Sector for Climate Action event heard from government officials, experts in the building and construction sector, private sector actors, and non-governmental organizations, who discussed their work in promoting low-carbon, energy efficient development in their cities. At the event, chaired by Arab Hoballah, Head of Sustainable Cities, Lifestyles and Industry, UNEP, participants heard from three expert panels on: the building sector’s  below 2°C (<2°C) pathway; government leadership in policy and strategies; and subnational leadership and action. More