{"id":100678,"date":"2021-10-26T09:30:45","date_gmt":"2021-10-26T08:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=100678"},"modified":"2022-02-06T19:53:22","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T19:53:22","slug":"cop26-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/energy-news\/cop26-construction\/100678\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to COP26: A greener future for construction"},"content":{"rendered":"

With global attention on Glasgow this autumn, we look at what construction professionals can expect from the COP26<\/a> international summit of 2021<\/h2>\n

An introduction to COP26<\/h3>\n

COP26, the 26th<\/sup> annual Conference of the Parties, is an international UN summit with over 190 attendees collaborating to combat climate change. The UK, being this year\u2019s conference host, aims to continue working to stay within the 1.5-degree global warming threshold through enormous reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low carbon economy.<\/p>\n

Pursuing the success previously achieved at the COP21<\/a> 2015 summit \u2013 responsible for the formation of the momentous Paris Climate Accord \u2013 COP26 focuses this year on putting the targets set in 2015 into action. However, like many summits prior to COP26, this feat has proven difficult as a collaborative effort, with the NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions)<\/a> 2030 target fast approaching.<\/p>\n

Amongst numerous topics of debate, the summit spotlights the built environment<\/a> and climate impact in the construction sector. A focus, in particular, being the \u2018Building to COP26\u2019 forum: a largescale sector effort for developing zero carbon emission buildings<\/a>, to be both energy efficient and resilient, optimistically by 2030. This conference includes full building decarbonisation targets, collaboration between sector stakeholders and government, and full policies and implementation measures into NDC agreements.<\/p>\n

With the UKGBC, the UK\u2019s Green Building Council<\/a>, being a participant in the summit, greater attention has been paid to the construction industry as a contributor of emissions amidst the climate impact. This year\u2019s conference will include an entire day dedicated to the built environment in the second week of the summit on November 11, titled \u2018The Cities, Regions & Built Environment Day\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"COP26<\/p>\n

What are the goals of the summit?<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. \n

    Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Where countries are being asked to create emissions targets for the year 2030, certain requirements will need to be met to secure 1.5 degrees in the future. Participating countries will need to reduce specific carbon-producing practices like coal usage, mass deforestation, manufacturing and using petrol and diesel vehicles and transport, and switch to investment in greener practices like renewable energy.<\/p>\n

    Net zero emissions will require extreme existential changes from numerous industries and factors, such as oil industries and the built environment<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats<\/h4>\n

    With the effects of climate change already materialising, natural habitat destruction is becoming more and more irreversible. As well as habitats, communities will also face elimination when located in climate-vulnerable areas, such as coastal regions.<\/p>\n

    To reverse these effects, countries must make efforts to protect and restore ecosystems, as well as build operational defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure to protect homes, buildings, and people. This goal also focuses on reinvesting into natural regeneration of habitats and natural weather barriers to protect from future climate catastrophes.<\/p>\n

    3.\u00a0\u00a0Mobilise finance<\/h4>\n

    To deliver on the first two goals, developed countries must take further action on their agreements to mobilise their promised climate finance targets. Having already missed the mark on the $100bn promised by 2020, COP26 will need to double down on agreed funders in their climate finance plans.<\/p>\n

    International financial institutions must contribute more and work towards releasing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero.<\/p>\n

    4.\u00a0\u00a0Work together to deliver<\/h4>\n

    Tackling the climate crisis will require the largest collaboration of humanity. By continuing to host COP summits, countries must prioritise action over promises and mutually agree on decisions before targets expire, as many of the climate finance targets already have.<\/p>\n

    This involves finalising on the Paris Rulebook, making the Paris Agreement operational, and proceeding to make physical progress through collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society. This also requires greater and more active leadership who follow through on their promises.<\/p>\n

    What has the UK done already before this summit?<\/h3>\n

    The UK has had success with passing climate change policy nationally in previous years, incorporating a growing economy of 78% while decreasing emissions by 44%, the fastest decline of any of the nations in the G7. Additionally, the UK has also decarbonised its economy faster than any other country in the G20<\/a> international forum since 2000.<\/p>\n

    Along with successfully setting laws in pursuit of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, some other accomplishments the UK has achieved have been:<\/h4>\n