For Immediate Release: March 7, 2024

Washington, D.C.– The International Code Council is participating in the 2024 Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris, France, between March 7 and 8, 2024. This event is the first of its kind and will build upon the progress made at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and ongoing needs to deliver sustainable and resilient buildings around the world.  

The Buildings and Climate Global Forum will bring focus to the impact of the buildings and construction sector on the environment and its significant role in achieving climate goals. Cooperation and partnerships among high-level representatives from international organizations and building ministers will also be facilitated to accelerate the transition to near-zero emissions and resilient buildings.

The French Government and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) are hosting the forum through the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). The International Code Council is co-leading two sessions during the forum: Achieving Climate-Resilient Buildings and Harmonizing Policies for Whole Life Carbon and Resilient Building Goals. Sustainable design practices, technological innovations and solutions in the sector will also be explored during approximately 20 thematic sessions.

Achieving Climate-Resilient Buildings will examine the current approaches to integrating resilience into building design, including resilience to future climate-driven hazards. It will identify current gaps in tools and deployment drivers and determine the actions necessary to make climate resilient buildings the new normal. Harmonizing Policies for Whole Life Carbon and Resilient Building Goals will highlight the importance and current state of building codes, standards, assessment frameworks and certification schemes in delivering global climate goals and the need to harmonize around common principles.  

International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO is scheduled to speak at a CEO roundtable. Sims and Board President Stuart Tom will participate at ministerial roundtables alongside international building ministers on March 8. The International Code Council has also been a lead collaborator in shaping the development of numerous other thematic sessions, along with calls-to-action and commitments resulting from the forum.

“Tackling a changing climate requires multi-level international collaboration,” said Sims. “Being a part of global events like this and collaborating with governments, companies, and NGOs to address the climate-related challenges before us is an integral part of our mission to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. We look forward to highlighting the role building codes, standards and building safety solutions play in achieving international climate goals.”

###

About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.