UKGBC launches Climate Commitment Platform for built environment, mobilises members for Global Climate Strike

Building on the momentum of the Global Climate Strike, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has today unveiled its Climate Commitment Platform, an online tool designed to profile the headline commitments and carbon targets of built environment organisations.

At launch, the platform features 20 of UKGBC’s Gold Leaf members and Advancing Net Zero Programme Partners, with all UKGBC members to be invited to submit their information to the platform.

The inaugural organisations include:

BAM
Bennetts Associates
Berkeley Group Holdings
Bruntwood
BuroHappold Engineering
Canary Wharf Group plc
Cundall
Derwent London
Elementa
Hermes Real Estate Investment Management
Hoare Lea
JLL
Landsec
Morgan Sindall Group
Multiplex Construction Europe
ROCKWOOL Ltd
Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
Stanhope Plc

Alongside member commitments, the platform features a Climate Leadership Model for the industry. This summarises in a practical and accessible way what climate leadership looks like for different sub-sectors of the built environment, with a view to achieving net zero emissions overall. It is hoped that organisations will use the model when setting and reviewing their climate commitments to ensure that these are consistent with best practice.

The launch comes as adults from all walks of life join students on the streets as part of the Global Climate Strike. Hundreds of individuals from a range of UKGBC member companies have joined demonstrations in London, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester to show support for action on tackling the climate crisis. This is especially timely in advance of the UN Climate Action Summit commencing in New York on 23rd September, and World Green Building Week (23-27 Sept).

Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive at UKGBC said:

“It is absolutely critical that built environment businesses show strong leadership and ambition in tackling the climate crisis. As school children striking on Fridays around the world have reminded us over the past year, no one is too small to make a difference. At UKGBC we are ourselves signing up to the WorldGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, and today joining the Global Climate Strike to call for stronger action and ambition from both the built environment industry and Government.

“We are delighted to see so many of our members marching alongside us today. We are also pleased that several are backing this with public and ambitious carbon reduction targets, as showcased on the Climate Commitment Platform we are unveiling today.

“In keeping with UKGBC’s mission, I hope this will prove to be a useful resource to stimulate stronger action by built environment businesses across the UK. To change everything, we’re going to need everyone, so let’s make our voices heard.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors 

UKGBC’s Climate Commitment Platform is available to view at ukgbcclimate.net

UKGBC photos from the Global Climate Strike will be made available today around 1pm via this link – please credit UKGBC.

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