The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has released a new position paper titled “Developing a Strategy for Climate Resilient Buildings”, outlining key strategies for policymakers and industry leaders to strengthen the resilience of buildings and communities against climate-related shocks.
Understanding the Urgency
With nearly 3.6 billion people already vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and projections suggesting that 1.2 billion could lose their homes by 2050, the need for resilient built environments has never been greater. Each year, more than 30 million people are displaced by extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and wildfires, underscoring the global scale of the challenge.
Advancing Resilience in the Built Environment
Building upon its 2022 flagship report “Climate Change Resilience in the Built Environment”, the WorldGBC’s latest publication provides actionable guidance for the construction sector to mitigate and adapt to evolving climate risks. The report introduces a common definition of climate-resilient buildings, strategies for planning and operations, and expands on the Zero Carbon and Climate Resilience Readiness Framework.
Expert Insights
WorldGBC CEO Cristina Gamboa emphasized that climate resilience is both an environmental and socio-economic imperative, while leaders from Buro Happold, GHD, and apoprojekt GmbH highlighted the link between resilience, business continuity, and long-term asset value.
A Call to Collective Action
The report responds to the findings of the Global Stocktake 2024, which revealed uneven adaptation progress under the Paris Agreement. It calls on all stakeholders—developers, policymakers, and manufacturers—to adopt integrated strategies that enhance resilience and protect both people and the planet.
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