WorldGBC - Global Update (Feb 2020)

 

Dear GBCs and Partners
 
Welcome to our first 2020 edition of the Global Update. This is set to be the decade of climate action and I’m really excited that we, the global green building movement, have such a promising year ahead.  

Already this year, I’ve had great conversations with many of you as we have consulted on our new three-year strategy to scale up impact and growth across our network. I also had a call with our members and the notes are here. Based on our analysis of the 17 Global Goals, we now have three interconnected Impact Areas for our network: climate action, health & wellbeing, and resources & circularity. We will continue to refine the goals presented for each Impact Area throughout 2020 with our global network, and I look forward to shaping this with you in the future. In the meantime, the WorldGBC team and I are delighted to begin implementing the actions and feedback so far.  

This month, we’ve entered into a number of new partnerships, launched our call for nominations for our Board of Directors and mapped out our presence at crucial climate events across the year. I hope you enjoy this newsletter and thank you for your continued support.
 
Best wishes
 
Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council

Join our Board - nominations now open! 
 

We are the global green building network transforming the built environment to make it healthier and more sustainable. Collectively, with our Green Building Councils (GBCs) in around 70 countries, we drive action to deliver on the ambition of the Paris Agreement and UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. We’re now looking for new Board Directors to help us achieve our mission of green buildings for everyone, everywhere. In accordance with WorldGBC’s Bylaws, all candidates must be nominated by an Established GBC that is in good standing with WorldGBC. Each Established GBC is encouraged to put forward between one and four candidates; however, only one candidate for each GBC will be eligible to join the Board. WorldGBC values diversity: regional, gender and ethnicity, as well as skills and experience. Board nominations are due by 31 March 2020 and Directors are appointed for a two year term commencing 1 July 2020. This information is also available on our website. For a Board of Directors role description 2020, click here. To find out more about our current Board Directors, click here. For more information about submitting an application, contact Alexis Dangel - [email protected] 

WorldGBC joins UN Global Compact
 

We are delighted to announce our participation as a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). Through this partnership, WorldGBC has committed our support to working together on the ten principles of the UNGC, and to publicly report on the progression of our global network in key areas of sustainability against the targets of the UN Global Goals, formerly known as the Sustainable Development Goals. WorldGBC will play a leadership role in reporting the united sustainability efforts of our global network within our reporting commitments to UNGC, and support and encourage member GBCs to also align national and regional strategy against the Global Goals. This partnership represents activation of our 2020-22 strategy – and our global network is committed to taking steps to deepen our impact across broader sustainability challenges in the building and construction sector, in support and association with the 17 Global Goals. The 11 relevant goals are: 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 17. We look forward to deepening our impact across broader areas of sustainability in partnership with our fellow members of the UNGC. For more information, click here or contact Catriona Brady – [email protected]  

Build a better future with us at 2020 events
 

2020 is set to be a pivotal year for climate action, with no shortage of key industry events at which to showcase the impactful work of our global green building movement. Our Europe Regional Network will be meeting in Brussels on 19-20 February, alongside the 'Reflect, Debate, Advise – Get Level(s) right conference'. See us at the IFC Climate Business Forum in Hong Kong on 18-19 February, and at the ASBP Healthy Buildings Conference and Expo in London on 27 February. Taking place worldwide from 2-6 March, we're excited for Plant a Sensor campaign week and look forward to participation across our global network of GBCs and partners. That same week, we'll be at Futurebuild from 3-5 March in London, UK, and at Carbon Positive '20 in Los Angeles, California. Preparations are underway for WorldGBC's MENA Green Building Congress 2020, taking place in Dubai, UAE from 15-18 March - find out more and how to register here. To see what else is in store for 2020, visit our website calendar

Beat air pollution and plant a sensor with us!
 

Take part in Plant a Sensor, our global air quality in the built environment campaign run in collaboration with RESET, as part of our Better Places for People global project, and help us get worldwide coverage on air quality data. 
We're aiming to collect data for the campaign from 1,000 locations  – across all our regions and both within and outside of buildings - by the launch of the Earth Challenge 2020 on Earth Day (22 April 2020). We're currently looking to recruit supporters, partners and participants for the campaign – namely any enthusiastic environmentalist individuals who can plant an air quality sensor! The campaign will have a big push during 2-6 March when we will be releasing more information on the monitor and sensor types, data grading, data privacy and GDPR compliance, accompanying metadata collation and FAQs. If you are interested in getting involved and wish to explore opportunities as a supporter or partner for the campaign, please contact Catriona Brady - [email protected]

Americas Regional Network partners with BASE on sustainable cooling
 

Our Americas Regional Network has welcomed the Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy (BASE) as a new partner. In Latin America, BASE's work includes advising 
organisations on how to provide clean energy in rural areas, energy efficiency in the commercial sector and electric mobility in cities. With our Americas GBCs, BASE will be working on a Cooling as a Service (CaaS) business. Led by BASE, this initiative aims to overcome key market and financial barriers to increase and accelerate the adoption of energy efficient cooling technologies and the use of climate-friendly refrigerants gases. CaaS could help customers save cooling costs by up to 23% and reduce emissions from electricity use and coolant leakage by up to 49%. For more information, contact Juanita Alvaraz - [email protected] 

Welcoming Sam Clayton to team WorldGBC
 

In January, we welcomed Sam Clayton, Grants Manager to WorldGBC, a full-time role based in the London office. This central new role will professionalise WorldGBC's approach to grant fundraising and management - helping scale local, regional and global action on our flagship projects - and delivering value to members through philanthropic and other partnerships. Sam has a diverse background in development for non-profits and think tanks, having worked across sectors such as legal aid, peace building and security, climate change and mental health. We're delighted to have him on board! To find out more about Sam, you can read his bio on our website here. To learn more about WorldGBC's team, click here. Interested in joining our team? Find out about career opportunities and current vacancies at WorldGBC on our careers page or enquire at [email protected] 

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