Advancing zero-emission, efficient and resilient buildings

IKI support for the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction 

Tackling emissions and enhancing resilience in the buildings sector, which accounts for roughly a third of global energy-related CO2 emissions (UNEP Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024/2025), presents a unique opportunity to significantly improve our chances of meeting global climate targets.

As emerging economies experience a construction boom, with projected raw material use and floor space nearly doubling by 2060 (UNEP, 2023), the imperative to act now and avoid carbon lock-in and be prepared for climate impact is paramount. This new buildings-stock has to be energy-efficient, resilient, and built with low-carbon materials. 

GlobalABC: strong partners for a low-carbon building sector

The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) works with all actors along the supply chain to help deliver this objective in a timely and cost-effective manner. 

The International Climate Initiative (IKI) therefore started funding the project “Supporting the GlobalABC and The Buildings Breakthrough”.

The buildings sector's fragmented nature—across borders, actors, and supply chains—necessitates a unified and collaborative approach. UNEP’s GlobalABC initiative is a platform that unites the full width of stakeholders, bringing together 380 members from governments, subnational authorities, industry, finance, academia, and civil society. Key initiatives of the GlobalABC include the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC). 

GlobalABC also hosts the Buildings Breakthrough (BBT), a technical coalition of front-runner countries and partners working to make near-zero emission and resilient buildings the global norm by 2030. 

The GlobalABC held its Annual Assembly in Dresden, Germany, in April 2025, under the theme “Building for a Resilient Future.” Over 150 representatives from governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society gathered to reaffirm their commitment to GlobalABC. Participants shared knowledge and experiences, highlighting successful initiatives for accelerating climate action in the building and construction sector.

Sharing expertise

For the first time, members delivered technical training sessions during the Assembly, deepening know-how on building passports, resilience planning, life cycle assessments, and policymaking. Participants expressed enthusiasm about implementing this knowledge in their countries. Input was also gathered to shape the future direction of the Buildings Global Status Report (Buildings-GSR), a key knowledge product providing a stocktake of global climate action in the sector.

Looking ahead - GlobalABC IKI-project priorities

Over the coming months, with IKI's support, GlobalABC will additionally prioritize:

• Accelerating the Buildings Breakthrough: Delivering workshops and webinars on integrated solutions (technology, policy, finance), strengthening collaboration within GlobalABC, and improving policy coordination to drive Buildings Breakthrough impact.
• Developing effective financial tools and roadmaps: Through the GlobalABC Hubs and Action Groups develop key guidance and tools, including finance roadmaps aligned with NDCs, to catalyze investment in low-carbon, resilient buildings at both national and subnational levels.
• Empowering Climate Action in Priority Countries: Providing training and technical assistance in Buildings Breakthrough and IKI priority countries (Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal) to strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and foster peer-to-peer learning among Global South stakeholders.
• Mobilizing Subnational Leadership: Increasing the engagement of subnational actors through focused workshops, strategic action planning at the city level, and enhanced partnerships to deploy low-carbon building solutions in countries.
• Fostering Knowledge Exchange & Inclusion: Delivering joint events and training with IKI projects (Build Me, PEEB, LCBTA, CCFLA Brazil Local Hub) while promoting gender inclusivity through dedicated panels and sessions on climate action within the building sector.

The topic has been an overarching priority at the IKI since 2015.

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