Purpose of the Summit
Building on the success of the first Global Forum on Buildings and Climate held in Paris, France, two years prior, the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit 2026, is a landmark international forum. It brings together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, thought leaders and innovators from academia, government, industry, and civil society to reimagine how we build and live within planetary boundaries. Convened by EPFL’s Centre for Worldwide Sustainable Construction in collaboration with UNEP as the host of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the Summit aims to catalyse action on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: transforming the built environment into a driver of environmental sustainability through holistic approaches that seamlessly integrate resilience and socio-economic factors.
The GlobalABC Annual Assembly 2026, Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) Technical Meeting (TBC), along with Buildings-Cement-Steel Breakthrough Meetings (TBC) will take place at the Summit. As the leading global platform for a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings sector, the GlobalABC Annual Assembly will unite 380+ GlobalABC members from across the public and private sectors to celebrate achievements, share best practices, and set bold priorities for the year ahead.
What to Expect
Nearly 40% of global carbon emissions stem from construction and the built environment; consuming vast natural resources while also shaping the way billions of people live, move, and interact with their surroundings. As the climate crisis intensifies and urban populations surge, especially in developing economies, the sector must undergo a profound transition to ensure the necessary infrastructure that shapes modern society as we know it can still be realised sustainably, efficiently, and resiliently.
Through an immersive programme of scene-setting plenaries, interdisciplinary workshops, and interactive working sessions, participants will explore innovative approaches to designing, financing, and governing the built environment within planetary boundaries. The programme integrates not only knowledge, but momentum: a shared platform to align global ambitions with local action, and to accelerate a just, resilient, and low-carbon transformation of the built environment.
💡 Build Capacity and Co-Create Solutions
- Academic Showcases – Discover the latest research and innovations by students from EPFL and leading international universities.
- Hands-On Workshops – Dive into practical sessions on materials innovation, climate-resilient design, building retrofits, future-ready urban planning, and advanced digital tools.
- Solution-Focused Roundtables – Collaborate across sectors to co-create actionable solutions for a sustainable and resilient built environment.
🌍 Shape the Future of Climate Action in the Built Environment
- High-Level Opening Ceremony – Hear from government leaders across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, alongside industry trailblazers and international champions of sustainable construction.
- Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) Technical Meeting (TBC) – Advance global cooperation among 48 countries and 17 observers committed to climate action in the buildings sector.
- Buildings-Steel-Cement Breakthrough Meetings (TBC) – Join forces with international organizations to foster collaboration and set the path forward on specific action tracks
🤝 Connect with the Global Sustainable Buildings Community
- Dynamic Networking Spaces – Build valuable relationships during energizing coffee breaks and relaxed evening receptions, fostering informal yet impactful exchanges.
Get Involved
The venue offers various spaces that can be adapted to offer multiple auditoriums and meeting rooms, and there is room for hosting more meetings for initiatives and projects.
To explore hosting and sponsorship opportunities, please reach out at contact@sustainable-construction.org.
Participant registration will open soon. Stay tuned for updates on how to join this landmark event shaping the future of sustainable buildings and construction.