COP28 Day 7 Snapshot: Multi-level Action, Urbanization, Built Environment & Transport
On the seventh day of the United Nations Climate Summit COP28 in Dubai, the agenda prominently featured discussions on urbanization, the built environment, and transportation, with a particular emphasis on sustainable mobility and shipping. As the summit crossed its mid-point, attention began to pivot towards finalizing commitments outlined in the draft Global Stock take agreement. Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, cautioned that the current draft was more of a “grab bag of wishes” with an abundance of posturing, serving as a foundation for a potential future outcome. Stiell urged countries and negotiators to elevate their efforts, emphasizing the need to avoid engaging in point-scoring and succumbing to “lowest common denominator politics.”
The ‘Building to COP’ coalition took center stage, hosting a ministerial meeting to delve into the ‘Buildings Breakthrough’ global initiative. Launched at COP28 by France, Morocco, and UNEP, this initiative aims to expedite transformation in the buildings sector, responsible for 37% of energy-related global emissions and 34% of final energy use. Its mission is to establish “near-zero emissions and resilient buildings” as the norm by 2030. Recognizing the pivotal role of buildings in global decarbonization efforts, 27 countries have already joined this initiative.
