Building codes and the international breakthrough agenda

This paper explores the recommendations laid out in the Buildings Breakthrough and how building codes and the activities that support their effective implementation are a core strategy to achieve the call to action. The Buildings Breakthrough is set to be formally accepted as part of the Breakthrough Agenda at COP28 in December 2023 with current support from 27 countries. 

Significant progress has been made in the sector, but additional work still needs to be done. Building and energy codes are essential components to driving progress. However, to be truly effective, they must be adopted and implemented deliberately with particular attention to local needs, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach that assumes the existence of adequate knowledge, skills and resources to enable effective enforcement.