Virtual workshops on sustainable construction to fight climate change
During October, high-level virtual workshops will be held to promote sustainable construction.
This initiative is being implemented by the Guatemala Green Building Council (GGBC) in partnership with the British Embassy.
The #BuildingToCOP26 workshops aim to unify the language around sustainable construction in Guatemala in order to make visible the importance and the sector’s role within the actions of mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The objective is to establish a communication channel between relevant actors in the construction sector to make alliances that lead to action.
COP26 is the annual meeting of States Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP26 will be held in the United Kingdom to set out the actions of all countries, civil society, businesses and individuals in order to accelerate implementation of Paris Agreement objectives to protect the environment.
COP26 places the building sector as an agent of change to transform the climate crisis. Buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 35% of energy consumption. However, sustainable buildings can offer efficient and cost-effective mitigation solutions.
The virtual workshops will be open to public and private sector stakeholders with leadership, influence and action roles in the construction sector in Guatemala.
The workshops will address these topics:
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Guatemala: climate change and the role of infrastructure and buildings
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Methodologies and technologies for the construction sector
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Myths and realities of sustainable construction
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The challenge of cities to deliver sustainable infrastructure
Pamela Castellán, Executive Director of GGBC, said:
Our commitment as a sector must be refocused on reducing carbon emissions through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to net zero and reinforcing actions towards resilience and vulnerability reduction.
Nick Whittingham, British Ambassador in Guatemala, expressed:
The British Embassy seeks to promote sustainable development through improvements in the capabilities of the construction sector in the fight against climate change.
Juan Carlos Valenzuela, President of GGBC, mentioned.
Our goal is to make visible the importance of sustainability in health, natural resources and economic issues at a national and international level.
The modality of these workshops will be through scholarships granted by the British Embassy and the GGBC to selected actors. If you wish to participate you can make a request to direccion@guatemalagbc.org.