COP26 climate summit to examine role of buildings

The COP26 climate summit hosted by the UK in November will include a focus on architecture and construction after its president Alok Sharma announced plans to include a 'built environment day'.

Sharma, who quit his role as business secretary to focus on his climate role full-time, revealed the decision in a recent letter to the World Green Building Council . In it, he said that 'action to decarbonise the buildings and construction sector is critical to meeting our Paris Agreement goals'.

The World Green Building Council had written to Sharma offering to organise a dedicated built environment day.

In his letter of response, sent two days before Christmas, Sharma accepted the offer.

He wrote: "The built environment is key to driving a green recovery and the UK is putting this into action. The Chancellor recently announced a net zero building package worth over £3 billion, including commitments in the Prime Minister's Ten Point Plan to make our homes, schools and hospitals greener, warmer and more energy efficient, whilst supporting up to 50,000 jobs by 2030.

"We look forward to working with you in the lead up to COP26 to drive further ambition and catalyse action."

The government says COP26, which will be held in Glasgow and involve representatives from nearly 200 countries, will be the largest summit ever hosted by the UK.

This article originally appeared on Architects' Journal, written by Will Hurst