International Code Council Joins Key Organizations at 2024 Climate Week NYC

From September 22-29, 2024, world leaders, businesses, policymakers and activists came together in New York City for Climate Week to discuss strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy and achieving global sustainability goals. The International Code Council joined organizations from across the globe to collaborate and share solutions to the climate crisis.

Hosted by the Climate Group, in partnership with the United Nations and other key organizations, this year’s Climate Week featured a wide range of activities, including high-level discussions and workshops, all aimed at raising awareness and fostering impactful climate initiatives.

This year’s theme, It’s Time, emphasized how now is the time to drive the transition, speed up progress and champion change. 

International Code Council Participation

On September 26, the Code Council, alongside the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the American Institute of Architects-New York Committee on the Environment, hosted the event, Decarbonizing Buildings: Taking a Whole Life Cycle Approach.

The event featured two panel discussions on exploring ongoing initiatives to reduce building-related greenhouse gas emissions, from products and materials to entire buildings, with a focus on the alignment of multiple actors in the building and construction industry to achieve decarbonization and resilience.

Discussions covered the significant role that the design, construction and operation of buildings play in contributing to roughly 40 percent of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Historically, the focus has been on reducing the energy use associated with building operations, but as buildings become more energy efficient and the energy grid continues to decarbonize, design and material choices have become increasingly critical. Currently, the embodied carbon from the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction and end-of-life phases of buildings accounts for about 11 percent of global carbon emissions.

Discussions also emphasized that reducing these emissions to meet climate goals requires a comprehensive approach addressing all stages of the building lifecycle. It also highlighted how designers, policymakers, corporations and investors are increasingly focused on achieving higher-performing buildings with less environmental impact across their lifecycles. 

Additionally, Code Council Vice President of Innovation, Ryan Colker, and Senior Innovation Associate, Joe Sollod, participated in roundtables or sessions led by the Climate Group, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish Energy Agency, Saint-Gobain, Velux, Trane, ISO, FEMA, American Wood Council, WoodWorks, C40, RICS and the NY Climate Exchange.  

To access Code Council energy resources, click here.