COP29 marks another step in our work to address the climate crisis. Following our contributions at COP26, COP27, and COP28, we continue to advocate for standards, policies, and practices to help deliver a net zero built environment.
With buildings contributing 37% of global energy-related carbon emissions, reducing carbon within the sector is key to reaching net zero. This requires ambitious government policies, innovative design, and a transformative shift in construction practices.
At COP29, RIBA President Muyiwa Oki and sustainability leader Mina Hasman will represent RIBA on the ground.
Find out more about our activity below.
Speaking engagements
Decarbonising our skylines: shaping buildings for a net zero 2050 - Wednesday 13 November
This session explores what buildings in a net-zero world by 2050 might look like, focusing on the adoption of both established and emerging technologies. The discussion will highlight international commitments, challenges for widespread adoption, and how the industry can drive implementation and scalable solutions.
Muyiwa Oki is joined alongside representatives from the Brazilian Construction Chamber, the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Decarbonising our building stock: setting the right framework to drive uptake - Wednesday 13 November
Taking place in the Danish Pavilion, this session will look at what is needed to decarbonise our building stock. The discussion will address four key aspects:
- understanding the scale of the challenge
- identifying material and construction solutions
- developing a comprehensive decarbonisation plan
- ensuring supportive policy and financial mechanisms.
Muyiwa Oki joins speakers from VELUX with Kompas and Urban Partners to discuss these crucial measures.
Building net zero standards and turning pledges into action - Thursday 14 November
This session focuses on translating sustainability pledges into tangible actions and establishing net-zero standards for the building industry. Taking place at the Concrete Future pavilion, Muyiwa Oki will present key strategies for turning climate commitments into actionable results.
Roundtable - The Buildings Breakthrough and NDCs 3.0 - Thursday 14 November
The Buildings Breakthrough initiative, launched at COP28 by France, Morocco, and the UN Environment Programme, strives to make near-zero emissions and climate-resilient buildings the norm by 2030.
This roundtable explores priorities for the next year, aligning with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the role of businesses and organisations in contributing to these plans. The roundtable will see Muyiwa Oki share his insights on impactful contributions from the building sector.
The sufficiency revolution: ensuring a just transition through indigenous wisdom, resilience, and human rights - Tuesday 19 November
Chaired by sustainability expert Mina Hasman, this panel discussion will examine complex challenges in the built environment such as climate change, social inequality and resource overuse, emphasising indigenous knowledge, resilience, and equitable design.
Taking place in the Buildings Pavilion, this event will focus on how we can create sustainable, community-driven solutions that respect human rights and support sufficiency.
Accelerating decarbonisation in the built environment: how we can make it happen - Wednesday 20 November
Hosted by sustainability expert Mina Hasman, this session will provide a comprehensive update on the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard. Attendees will gain insights into the collaborative efforts of UK built environment organisations and experts in developing the Standard.
The event will also cover practical strategies to accelerate decarbonisation and include a panel discussion with representatives from the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Buildings Breakthrough for net zero and resilient buildings: solutions for effective transformation - Thursday 21 November
This official United Nations side event will look at how achieving net-zero and resilient buildings requires widespread transformation and how we implement this on a mass scale. The panel will look at how regulation, technology, design, and individual organisations can drive this change.
Joining the panel discussion is Mina Hasman, who will talk about the role of collaboration and standards to support these critical goals.
