Climate Change Data

World Green Building Council

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020)

Reporting Period: 2020

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Climate Action
  • Resources and Circularity
  • Social Value

Environmental Achievements

  • Developed a framework for healthy, sustainable built environments that addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation, water and resource efficiency.

Social Achievements

  • Developed a framework that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of all people across the building lifecycle, including construction workers, building occupants, and surrounding communities. Addresses social equity, community resilience, and human rights.

Governance Achievements

  • Established a framework developed through a two-year global consultation with GBCs, GBC members, public and private sector partners and policymakers.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Localising health and wellbeing considerations across different geographies
Medium-term Goals:
  • Measuring progress for a healthy, sustainable built environment
Short-term Goals:
  • Socialisation of the expanded scope and targets for health and wellbeing

Environmental Challenges

  • Air pollution, water quality issues, mental health challenges, infectious disease transmission, thermal discomfort, noise pollution, lack of access to nature, unhealthy lifestyles, human rights abuses in the construction industry, climate change impacts, resource depletion, and waste management.
  • Inequitable distribution of resources and opportunities impacting health and wellbeing.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developed a framework with six principles to address these challenges, providing guidelines and tools for action. Promotes net-zero carbon emissions, resilience strategies, water efficiency, circular material use, and safer chemicals. Advocates for policy changes to support a healthy built environment.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Framework promotes responsible sourcing of materials, considering embodied carbon, material health, and circularity.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Extreme weather events, flooding
Transition Risks
  • Regulatory changes, market shifts
Opportunities
  • Development of energy-efficient products and technologies

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 4: Quality Education
  • Goal 5: Gender Equality
  • Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Goal 15: Life on Land
  • Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The framework aligns with multiple SDGs by promoting a healthy, equitable, and sustainable built environment.