The buildings and construction sector is one of the most consequential contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG), emissions — responsible for a significant share of carbon emissions both in operation (energy use), and in construction materials and processes. Despite improvements in efficiency, the sector remains off track to meet global climate targets, with emissions trends showing persistent growth due to urbanisation and expanding building stock.
In this context, the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN), emerges as a specialised global actor focused on accelerating the decarbonisation of buildings — not just technically, but through policy, markets, and collaborative networks.
The Core Mission: Policy-Driven Decarbonisation
At its heart, GBPN operates as a policy reform catalyst, supporting countries, cities and regions to advance building climate policies that reduce emissions. The organisation’s mission is to transform one of the world’s “most significant carbon pollution sources” — the built environment — into a pathway for climate action.
- Evidence-based policy frameworks: GBPN promotes smart building energy policies that can influence both operational carbon (energy used during building life), and embodied carbon (emissions from construction materials and processes). These policies include building energy codes, retrofit standards, efficiency targets and incentives that help reduce lifecycle emissions.
- Global to local translation: While global evidence on policy effectiveness is growing, GBPN emphasises translating this evidence into actionable, locally relevant strategies — enabling jurisdictions to adopt the most impactful measures.
This focus on policy is critical: while technological solutions (like heat pumps, solar integration, or efficient materials), are essential, policy frameworks create the regulatory certainty and incentives needed for broad, rapid adoption.
Bridging Policy and Practice: Coalitions and Networks
A distinctive strength of GBPN is the coalition and network approach. Rather than operating in isolation, GBPN brings together government officials, industry leaders, researchers and civil society practitioners into collaborative structures that help transform ambition into real-world action.
Coalitions for Change
GBPN supports multi-stakeholder coalitions at national and subnational levels that:
- Enable joint problem-solving on barriers to decarbonisation.
- Tailor solutions to local contexts (e.g., regulatory requirements, climate conditions, economic realities).
- Facilitate peer exchange on best practices and policy innovations.
In practice, these coalitions help governments draft better building codes, accelerate implementation of standards, and promote financing mechanisms that support sustainable construction and renovation activities.
Networked Knowledge Transfer
Across more than 20 countries, GBPN’s network accelerates learning and adoption of effective practices.
Through convenings, webinars, and shared evidence libraries, local practitioners gain access to:
- Case studies
- Comparative insights on effective policy packages
- Tools to monitor and verify progress toward decarbonisation goals
These networks significantly enhance the scalability of climate innovations by preventing duplication of effort and fostering cross-regional learning.
Amplifying Market Transformation and Just Transitions
GBPN emphasises not just regulatory reform but market transformation, recognising that decarbonisation must align with private sector incentives and equitable access to sustainable buildings:
- Private sector engagement: By bridging policymakers with developers, financiers, technology vendors and real estate groups, GBPN helps align market incentives with sustainability goals.
- Green finance initiatives: Encouraging mechanisms such as green bonds, efficiency-linked financing and incentive programs makes sustainable practices more economically feasible for a wide range of stakeholders.
- Just transitions: Universal access to healthy, resilient, zero‑emissions buildings is a core part of GBPN’s vision — ensuring decarbonisation does not exclude underserved communities.
This aligns with broader climate equity goals: as cities grow and populations urbanise, especially in emerging economies, strategic policy and financial interventions can help ensure that sustainable building standards are inclusive, affordable, and climate‑resilient.
Impact at Scale: Evidence and Outcomes
Although measuring impact in global decarbonisation is complex, early evidence highlights key pathways through which GBPN contributes:
- Policy adoption and alignment: By providing evidence and technical support, GBPN has assisted governments in integrating building decarbonisation into national climate plans and regulatory frameworks.
- Regional capacity building: Through workshops, coalitions and expert networks, GBPN strengthens local capacity to plan and execute decarbonisation strategies.
- Sector decarbonisation momentum: GBPN’s efforts support broader goals of slowing or reversing emissions growth in buildings — which globally account for roughly one‑third of energy‑related emissions — by advancing zero‑emission building policies and practices.
Though the overall sector remains behind the pace required for net‑zero targets, GBPN’s approach aligns with evidence showing that ambitious policy packages, when effectively implemented, can significantly reduce demand growth and emissions over time.
Infographic: How GBPN Drives Building Decarbonisation
The Problem
- Buildings & construction = 30–40% of global emissions
- Rapid urbanisation → rising energy demand
- Sector is not on track for net-zero by 2050
The Solution: GBPN Approach
Policy Transformation
- Building energy codes & standards
- Net-zero carbon roadmaps
- Retrofit and efficiency mandates
Impact: Creates enforceable pathways to reduce emissions at scale – (to mention but a few….)
Conclusion: A Strategic Lever for Climate Action
The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN), plays a pivotal role in mobilising systemic change in the buildings and construction sector. Through policy influence, coalition building, expert networks, and market engagement, GBPN helps accelerate decarbonisation pathways that are technically sound, economically feasible and socially equitable.
In a sector that is not only large but continually expanding — with billions of square metres of new floor area expected globally by 2050 — the work of organisations like GBPN is essential to unlocking scalable climate benefits and ensuring the built environment becomes part of the solution to the climate crisis rather than a growing problem.
