WorldGBC strategic plan (2025 – 2027)
Purpose of this Information Pack
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the update in WorldGBC’s strategic plan and how it relates to our collaborative work with the network of GBCs and partners
- To answer any questions remaining after the presentation of the new strategic plan at the June 2024 Annual General Meeting
- To provide the opportunity for input and feedback before the strategy is circulated to the WorldGBC Board of Directors for final approval in November 2024, prior to its public release. Consultation process The consultation process will start on 1 September 2024 will end mid-October 2024. We ask that you please provide your feedback through this form as soon as you can so that we can ensure we can include all feedback in the strategy document before the cutoff date which is 14 October.
About WorldGBC
Transformation often feels hard. But when we work together, we can reach a point where suddenly, the change takes on a life of its own.
At the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) our role is to help property and construction markets around the planet reach tipping points towards decarbonisation and regeneration.
That means building the right policy environments, the right financing environments and the right social and cultural environments to deliver more resilient and sustainable built environments.
Our unique local-regional-global network helps us catalyse waves of change that ripple across cities, countries, companies and communities. Amplifying the leadership of our members and partners; building on success; and scaling local action into global impact.
Today, buildings and related activities are responsible for nearly 40% of all carbon emissions. With our network, we believe we have the scale and shared ambition to target the total decarbonisation of the sector by 2050. Together, we’re building the momentum to create a better future for all.
Surveying the sector
As well as being the canvas on which human life unfolds, the built environment is a sustainability battleground. From houses to hospitals, schools to skyscrapers, the places that we have made to shelter, protect and nurture us are now a huge contributor to the rapidly rising climate threat that will render them unfit to fulfil their essential functions.
Although urban areas cover only ~3% of global land surface area, the buildings and construction sector accounts for around 37% of energy- and processrelated CO2 emissions and over 34% of energy demand globally. By comparison, agricultural land occupies 37% of the world’s land but is responsible for only 20% of CO2 emissions.
In addition to being highly emitting, the sector is also highly consuming. Around 40–50% of raw materials in the global economy are used in the manufacturing of building products and components, with quantities predicted to double by 2060. Globally, construction, renovation and demolition produce approximately 100 billion tonnes of waste of which ~35% is sent to landfill.
And downsizing is not an option. The world needs to provide two billion additional homes over the next 75 years, and, currently, ~80% of cities lack affordable housing options for most of their population. Our homes, offices, hospitals and schools need to adapt and become resilient to the changing climate and its growing associated impacts. Real estate and infrastructure represent two-thirds of global wealth – the largest global asset class by far, valued at over 300 trillion USD. Buildings and construction are responsible for over 200 million jobs, accounting for 11–13% of global GDP.
Check out World GBC Building momentum for a better future document.