Following the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015 at COP21, France embarked on an effort to structure international action on issues of resilience and transition in the building and construction sector. This approach took shape with the launch of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (Global ABC), which in recent years has helped to raise global awareness and mobilize numerous countries (40 are members to date), international organizations, companies and other networks committed, or wishing to commit, to the challenges of decarbonizing the sector. However, these efforts are still insufficient to achieve the targets set for 2030, especially as the distribution of these efforts remains highly uneven from one country to another, and from one company to another. 

With the target date fast approaching, it is now essential to bring together the entire international building and construction community to increase the involvement of all players in the transition efforts.

Over two days, national governments, international organisations, private-sector players, industry experts and investors will gather around the Building and Climate Global Forum in thematic workshops, high-level roundtables and an international ministerial meeting to discuss the resilience challenges faced by the buildings and construction industries, and to agree on a series of concrete recommendations for achieving decarbonization of the sector by 2030.

Some forty national and international players will be selected to take part either in the exhibition of solutions, approaches, and projects, or in the pitch sessions, to highlight concrete solutions for decarbonising the sector. A panel of national and international experts will select the exhibitors and pitch speakers. 

Three categories to apply

Applicants have three categories in which they can apply: 

• Projects: Can be a low-carbon building, district or infrastructure, an architectural project based on social and low-carbon characteristics, etcetera. 
• Solution: In the form of new materials, innovation systems or software aimed at decarbonising the industry.
• Initiative (human approach): New ways of thinking that some companies or associations are proposing to accelerate the decarbonisation of the sector. 

Dates to bear in mind

• Until the 24th January (included/11.59 pm): application period.
• From 25th to the 29th January: Jury deliberations and choice of selected projects.
• From the 29th of January to the 26th of February: Organisation of the exhibition and pitches with the selected projects.
• The 7th and 8th of March 2024: Buildings & Climate Global Forum.

Applicants must complete a presentation form describing the proposed project, and send it before 11.59 PM on the 24th of January. Check all the details and steps to apply.