COP29 to cope with the climate change!

Greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring gases, such as CO2, methane, and sulfur dioxide, that trap heat on Earth. Without them, the average temperature would be -18°C, rather than 15 °C today.
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. CO2, the main cause of global warming, can take thousands of years to be absorbed.

1.5° pathway
The average global temperature has risen by 1.2°C since the Industrial Revolution. A 1.5°C increase is the threshold beyond which climate change would be most dangerous. A 1.5° pathway is a plan to keep the increase below that level. Governments agreed to focus on a 1.5° pathway at COP26 in 2021, rather than the 2° pathway established under the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Net zero
A net zero gain of greenhouse gases is achieved when emissions are equal to the amount removed each year. The pathways to net zero involve both decarbonization and carbon removal.
This is the key concept for the implementation of 1.5° pathway.
Decarbonization is the reduction of GHG s through the reduction of fossil fuels.
Carbon removal solutions, including planting trees and restoring forests, Direct Air Capture, phytoplankton growth to capture CO₂ remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it.
Decarbonisation and carbon removal are essential in all sectors, including the construction and operation of buildings. By implementing measures in these area, we can have a significant impact on several related sectors, such as the cement production sphere, which is carbon-intensive due to high emissions from the calcification process.

COP 29 for the construction sphere
The construction sector is responsible for about 38−40% of total carbon emissions related to energy, including:

• Operational emissions (28%): These emissions come from the energy used for heating, cooling, and powering buildings.

• Embodied carbon (10−11%): This includes emissions from the manufacturing and transportation of materials, as well as the construction processes. The production of cement contributes to about 8% of global CO2 emissions.
COP29 is promoting sustainable building practices and responsible materials sourcing in the construction industry. Initiatives like "Race to Zero" and "Race to Sustainability" include promoting reuse of materials, incentives for sustainable design, and collaboration with technology companies to track carbon emissions.

Highlights from the COP 29 programme in the context of sustainable construction:
1) Arianna Abdul-Nour: Planting Seeds for a Future We May Never See: Lessons from the Olive Tree
As buildings are long-term assets, it is necessary to pay attention to sustainability principles throughout the entire period of construction and operation. This requires patience and does not always lead to instant results.

2) High Level Roundtable on Green Construction, Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Climate Resilience in Cities
The Roundtable will focus on the transformation of ambitions into action in the construction sector, as well as in energy efficiency and urban resilience, through Early Warning Systems in cities.

3) High-level Roundtable on Transport and Infrastructure in Cities.

The Green Building Council is calling on participants of COP 29 and policymakers to consider: the built environment is not on track to reduce emissions in line with the 1.5°C target, but if governments and industry take bold action, we can achieve a decarbonized and resilient world.
To achieve a 1.5 degree temperature rise strategy, it is essential to set measurable objectives and develop a comprehensive plan for their implementation, from the initial concept to the end of the building’s operational life.

Promoting sustainable construction practices is also accomplished by assessing projects against international environmental standards, such as BREEAM, LEED, WELL, Fitwel, CEEQUAL, CREEM, and others.

The ESG Factor team is preparing to participate in COP 29. These events serve as a reminder for all nations and sectors to work together towards a shared goal.