The Global Buildings Performance Network - GBPN

11/06/2026

Representation is not just about who is in the room, it is about how decisions are made and whose perspectives shape the future of buildings.

In the third blog from our series, leaders from across the sector reflect on five practical changes that can help advance women's leadership—from mentorship and visibility to more inclusive decision-making and pathways into senior roles.

The discussion goes beyond participation. It explores how institutions can create enabling environments, why role models matter, how leadership pipelines can be strengthened, and what it takes to ensure women have influence where key decisions are made.

As the buildings sector works to address some of the world's biggest challenges, diverse perspectives are essential in creating solutions that are more responsive, inclusive, and effective.

Read the blog: https://zurl.co/ZAEeB

10/06/2026

We were at the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit in Lausanne, and we broke down some important takeaways from the event in this blog

Our biggest insight? Great solutions already exist. The challenge now is scaling them.
The conversations reinforced something we see across GBPN's work: locally grounded solutions are driving real change. What’s needed now are the partnerships, policies, and financing to help them reach more people and places.

Read the blog for insights from the summit and what comes next:
https://zurl.co/eq0jV

01/06/2026

The Caribbean Climate Smart Schools Helpdesk is now live, supporting schools across the region to prepare for a changing climate.

Developed by GBPN in collaboration with Save the Children AU and regional partners, the Helpdesk offers technical support to help countries strengthen climate-resilient school infrastructure and create safer, healthier learning environments.

The Helpdesk will support governments and education leaders with:
• Climate-smart school design
• Retrofitting and resilient infrastructure
• Climate risk assessments and planning
• Practical tools, resources, and expert guidance

Learn more: https://zurl.co/ALUQd
Submit a request: https://zurl.co/EMhuf

28/05/2026

India’s building sector already has low-carbon material choices. The real challenge is how to scale their adoption.

At a recent GBPN roundtable in Delhi, policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and technical experts came together to explore how green building materials can move from niche adoption to mainstream practice.

A variety of low-carbon alternatives are already available in India – low-carbon cement, bricks made from agricultural residue, industrial byproducts, demolition debris. Participants shared ideas to solve for scaling: clearer standards, embodied carbon data, procurement reform, stronger incentives, and coordinated action across government, industry, and research institutions to accelerate adoption.
So how can we move fragmented efforts into mainstream adoption?

https://zurl.co/Vy8vN

26/05/2026

Retrofitting can recover costs through operational savings. As the country’s largest energy consumers, buildings will play a major role in achieving climate goals and healthier workplaces in Indonesia.

GBPN is working with state-owned electricity company PLN to develop retrofitting guidelines that are realistic and cost-effective, drawn from practical lessons.

These guidelines emphasize that:
• Smarter buildings can improve energy efficiency and reduce long-term operating costs
• Digital technologies can reshape how buildings are managed and monitored
• Cross-sector collaboration is essential for scaling sustainable urban development

Read the full blog: https://zurl.co/3Q8o2

19/05/2026

In the face of global disruption, governments are making fast, high-stakes choices — securing energy systems, stabilising economies, and responding to growing climate pressures. In our latest blog, Executive Director Dr Peter Graham makes the case for why we must go beyond managing the crisis in the short-term, and ensure we build a sustainable future.

As temperatures rise and infrastructure comes under pressure, buildings are becoming central to resilience, public health, energy security, and economic stability. The choices made today will shape whether cities become more vulnerable, or more prepared.
Read the blog: https://zurl.co/xVqov

14/05/2026

We are delighted to welcome three passionate young professionals who have joined Global Buildings Performance Network, India as interns.

Together, they bring fresh perspectives, energy, and a shared commitment to advancing low-carbon and sustainable pathways in the building sector. We are excited to have them contribute across our key initiatives.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Ashoka Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps for facilitating this collaboration and enabling emerging professionals to engage directly with impactful climate action.

If you are passionate about sustainable buildings, climate action, and systems transformation, we invite you to be part of the India Youth Network—a platform to collaborate, learn, and contribute to shaping the future of India’s built environment.

Send us your expressions of interest at https://zurl.co/VqRQ5

07/05/2026

Pacific Island Nations bear a disproportionately high brunt of climate change, despite contributing the least to it. And climate events have a direct impact on schools, disrupting learning.

At a recent meeting in Nadi, Fiji, education leaders from 15 Pacific Island countries, alongside partners including GBPN, UNICEF, and Save the Children Australia, came together to identify how to better access climate finance for schools.

A clear agreement emerged: school infrastructure is the most practical entry point for climate action in education.

Nations agreed on some key priorities:
• Upgrading and retrofitting schools exposed to climate risks
• Strengthening water, sanitation, and energy systems
• Building local capacity to manage renewable solutions
• Improving climate risk assessments to guide investment
Beyond infrastructure, the discussion highlighted the need for stronger regional coordination and collaboration to unlock funding at scale.

https://zurl.co/05IvI

05/05/2026

In a fast urbanising India, planning and design decision shape people’s health outcomes. To drive action on better planning and buildings in urban India, GBPN has signed two new MoUs with the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), Haryana Regional Chapter and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation—marking a step towards healthier, more resilient cities.

Announced alongside a roundtable with leaders from government, planning, and industry, the partnerships focus on integrating health, climate, and liveability into how cities are designed and managed.

Key highlights from the discussion:
• Embedding health into planning decisions, not treating it as an afterthought.
• Stronger training for builders and planners on climate resilience
• Enabling data-driven and locally relevant urban solutions
• Building institutional partnership to turn dialogue into action.

These partnerships aim to support cities in delivering better thermal comfort, safer environments, and improved quality of life, while aligning with climate goals.

https://zurl.co/VSVjc

29/04/2026

Kenya needs 3 million new homes by 2030. How they are built will shape whether the country locks in decades of vulnerability or unlocks a pathway to resilience, affordability, and inclusive growth.

At the Second Africa Urban Forum, GBPN convened a side event with partners including the State Department for Public Works, Architectural Association of Kenya, Kenya Property Developers Association, Kenya Green Building Society, and Women in Real Estate Kenya to discuss how the Kenya National Buildings and Construction Decarbonization Roadmap can move from strategy to implementation.

The discussion highlighted key priorities for delivering healthy and resilient housing:
• Moving from roadmap to real-world implementation
• Unlocking capital for green and resilient housing
• Scaling use of local materials in climate-responsive designs
• Ensuring the transition benefits low- and middle-income households

Learn more - https://zurl.co/aOYJo

Kenya needs an estimated 3 million new homes by 2030. How they are built will determine whether the country locks in decades of vulnerability or unlocks a pathway to resilience, affordability, and inclusive growth. For many Kenyan families, housing is already a daily negotiation between affordabilit...