COP28
Our climate is changing, rapidly and dangerously. Our current approach to addressing the climate emergency is failing. Radical and rapid transformation from businesses and the global economy is essential to limiting the worst impacts of our changing climate. The built environment is the largest source of climate emissions in the UK after surface transport, and our sector’s demand on natural resources accelerates climate change, and inefficient, unhealthy buildings negatively impact human health and wellbeing. As industry and policymakers gather in Dubai for COP28, the built environment sector must demonstrate its untapped potential as a pivotal catalyst to deliver urgent climate action.
UKGBC’s ambition for COP28
COP28 comes at a time of great uncertainly for the green agenda in the UK. The Government’s recent backtracking on green policies has been distressing and sent a chill through our industry. Not just for the immediate carbon impacts it will have, but also on our systemic ability to adapt to a zero carbon society, due to the damage to investor, business, and householder confidence in the urgency of the necessary climate action. Climate action is one area where we were seen as a global leader, and this has sent shockwaves across the world; causing other nations to question their need to act. Businesses, the third sector and civil society must use COP28 as a moment to demonstrate support for the sustainable buildings movement and restore the UK’s green reputation.
The built environment is an untapped, pivotal catalyst that can deliver systemic change. Its all-encompassing impact will improve lives, enhance resilience, foster skills, create jobs, and promote equity. Our industry has many of the solutions needed for vast decarbonisation and stands ready to act. However, improved policy is critical and urgent to create the enabling framework and accelerate the pace and scale of progress. Yet our industry’s potential continues to be overlooked by Governments across the world. COP28 is an opportunity to change this, and boldly present the collaborative business force behind the sustainable built environment movement in the UK. Showing government that, despite recent setbacks, we are committed and champion the opportunities which net zero can deliver.
UKGBC will run a programme of online and in-person activities for members to participate in both in the lead up to and during COP28, as well as represent our members in climate discussions with an on-the-ground presence Dubai.
UKGBC at COP28
Our Chief Executive, Smith Mordak and our Deputy Chief Executive, Simon McWhirter will represent UKGBC and our members in Dubai during the conference programme.
- Smith Mordak – UKGBC’s Chief Executive is a distinguished architect and campaigner who can speak about the scientific origins, proliferation, and solutions to the climate emergency in the built environment. Smith will be attending COP to galvanise global support for and build momentum towards a future economy where people, society, and ecology flourishes.
- Simon McWhirter – with 25 years’ experience across the built environment from housebuilding to conservation, Simon leads UKGBC’s policy and place-based projects as well as engagement with the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments and local authorities. Simon will be attending COP to promote innovative, creative approaches to greening the built environment and unlock broader, deeper collaboration across borders and disciplines.
Smith and Simon are available for select media and speaking opportunities during COP28. For speaker availability, please contact media@ukgbc.org.
UKGBC in Dubai
Saturday 2nd December
The role of local governments in raising climate, carbon & sustainable finance and partnerships for cities with a focus on housing and supporting infrastructure (15:00-16:30 GST)
UKGBC Deputy Chief Exec, Simon McWhirter, is speaking at this event at the Kenya Pavilion – Blue Zone
Tuesday 5th December
Decarbonising Infrastructure Projects – Construction Projects Scope 3 Emissions (09:00 – 10:30 GST)
UKGBC Chief Exec, Smith Mordak, is speaking at this event in Expo City – Green Zone.
Carbon, Resilience and Care in Health – Successful Case Studies of Sustainable Developments (15:00 – 16:00 GST)
UKGBC Deputy Chief Exec, Simon McWhirter, is speaking at this event in the Expo City – Green Zone
Wednesday 6th December
Buildings and Cities: Pivotal solutions for shaping our future (16:00 – 17:30 GST)
UKGBC Chief Exec, Smith Mordak, is speaking at this event in Green Zone
COP28: UK Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap – Where are we now? (14:00-15:00 GMT)
This event is being hosted by UKGBC online.
UNEP: Buildings Breakthrough Roundtable – Blue Zone (Time TBC)
Simon McWhirter, Deputy Chief Executive, will be speaking at this event.
Thursday 7th December
The Buildings Breakthrough – How do we deliver a new Net Zero Paradigm for the Built Environment? (16:30-17:15 GST)
UKGBC Deputy Chief Exec, Simon McWhirter, is speaking at this event in the Climate Action Innovation Zone
Friday 8th December
Design Thinking, Global Standards, & Integrative Solutions for a Net Zero Built Environment (15:00 – 16:30 GST)
UKGBC Chief Exec, Smith Mordak, is moderating the panel discussion in Side Event Room 9 – Blue Zone
Saturday 9th December
Roadmaps to decarbonize the buildings sector(13:30-15:00 GST)
UKGBC Chief Exec, Smith Mordak, is speaking at the event in the Buildings Pavilion – Blue Zone
UKGBC are supporting or attending these events at COP28.
Sunday 3rd December
World Green Building Council: Networking Reception – Location TBC (17:00 – 19:00 GST)
Tuesday 5th December
UK Government: Accelerating Sector Transitions – Location TBC (12:30-14:00 GST)
US Green Building Council: Commercial Build Report Launch – Buildings Pavilion – Blue Zone. (Time TBC)
Wednesday 6th December
UN: Buildings and Cement Breakthrough Launch – Blue Zone (12:30 – 14:00) .
Building to COP: Implementation Lab – Blue Zone (15:00 – 16:00).
Friday 8th December
World Green Building Council & Dar Group: The Journey to Net Zero (Time and venue TBC).
Smith Mordak at a panel on Design Thinking, Global Standards, & Integrative Solutions for a Net Zero Built Environment
Simon McWhirter, Chris Skidmore, Nasra Nanda and David Goatman at our event in the Innovation Zone on the Buildings Breakthrough
Smith Mordak speaking at the Lloyds Banking Group closed roundtable event in the blue zone.
Simon speaking alongside Perkins and Will on the need for joined up thinking in creating sustainable healthcare environments.
Smith Mordak and Simon McWhirter outside the expo centre on their first day at COP28.
#BuildingtoCOP28 Coalition
UKGBC is working with WorldGBC as part of the BuildingToCOP coalition. The coalition brings together leaders from across the sector who are promoting its potential in accelerating the transition to a healthy, safe and resilient net zero future.
Instrumental in establishing a dedicated day for the built environment at the upcoming COP28 summit, BuildingToCOP’s members represent the entire value chain of this complex and fragmented sector. United by a single mission, we aim to ensure the built environment is at the forefront of international climate dialogues and secure its recognition in global decision making as an affordable, achievable, and essential solution.
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UKGBC COP Events
The Buildings Breakthrough – How do we deliver a new Net Zero Paradigm for the Built Environment?
COP28: UK Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap – Where are we now?
Net Zero Solutions Forum – London
Winter Innovation Networking
COP28 News and Blogs
Building the Movement ahead of COP28
UKGBC partners with Innovation Zone at COP28
Climate Change Mitigation
Climate Change Adaptation
