What Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) does

GlobalABC is a UNEP-hosted multi-stakeholder global alliance, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Paris, that coordinates public and private action to decarbonise the buildings and construction sector. It serves 430+ member organisations across 75 national governments, the private sector, civil society, research institutions, and intergovernmental organisations, convened through 11 thematic Hubs and Action Groups covering policy, investment, resilience, cooling, circularity, living spaces, skills, transparency, gender equality, and cross-sector topics. Its core deliverables are the annual Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, Climate Action Roadmaps for governments, and three flagship initiatives launched at consecutive UNFCCC COPs: the Buildings Breakthrough (COP28, December 2023, target of near-zero emission and resilient buildings by 2030, now endorsed by 38 countries plus the EU and 5 IGOs/foundations), the International Buildings Construction Coalition or ICBC (COP29, November 2024, anchored by the Déclaration de Chaillot signed by 53 countries), and the Net-Zero Emissions Resilient Buildings Performance Assessment System or NZERB PAS (COP30, November 2025).

Its business model is non-commercial: it has no products or services sold to customers, no pricing, and no contract revenue. Operating funding comes from voluntary contributions from five national governments (Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK), the Laudes Foundation, and in-kind hosting and staff by UNEP. Strategic direction is set by a renewed Steering Committee co-chaired by France and WBCSD, with the 2025-2027 work programme renewed at COP30 in Belém alongside the Belém Call for Action and the Global Circularity Protocol.

Name

Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC)

Legal name

Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction

Website

https://globalabc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GlobalABC is a UNEP-hosted multi-stakeholder alliance, founded in 2015 and based in Paris, that coordinates 430+ members across 75 governments and the private sector to decarbonise the buildings and construction sector through flagship initiatives launched at consecutive UNFCCC COPs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Policy Coordination and Sustainable Buildings Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environment, Climate & Sustainable Development IGOs (BPADAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA)

Keywords

• Buildings decarbonization
• Climate policy coordination
• Sustainable construction
• Building sector emissions
• Net-zero buildings

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris, Ile-de-France

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Contributions and In-Kind Support: GlobalABC members contribute to the joint workplan through their time, tools, products, expertise, and networks. Many provide in-kind support by hosting events, directly paying for specific products, or assisting with translations of key documents.
2. Financial Contributions from Donor Governments and Foundations: Direct financial contributions from national governments (Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom) and foundations (Laudes Foundation). The organization does not charge fees for membership but relies on voluntary financial contributions from public and private donors to fund its secretariat and activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GlobalABC is a UN-hosted multi-stakeholder alliance and coordination platform that brings together 430+ member organisations, including 75 national governments, to drive the decarbonization of the buildings and construction sector. It delivers policy frameworks (Climate Action Roadmaps, NDC guidance, NZERB PAS), authoritative knowledge products (annual Global Status Report, Global Building Climate Tracker), political coordination mechanisms (ICBC, Buildings Breakthrough), thematic working groups, and convening events (COP Buildings Pavilion, Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit). Membership is free; the organization is funded by voluntary financial contributions from donor governments and foundations.

Product overview

GlobalABC is a multi-stakeholder alliance and coordination platform—not a single software product—hosted by UNEP that brings together 430+ member organisations including 75 national governments. Its offerings consist of advocacy initiatives, policy frameworks, and knowledge products rather than a unified software platform. The core portfolio includes the annual Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction; the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion at UN Climate Change Conferences; policy guidance through NDCs and Climate Action Roadmaps for over 30 countries; the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) as a high-level political framework; the Buildings Breakthrough international collaboration framework; the NZERB Plan to Accelerate Solutions implementation platform; 11 thematic Working Groups (Hubs and Action Groups) addressing adaptation, clean heat, data, finance, market transformation, materials, sufficiency, passive cooling, demand side flexibility, higher education, and subnationals; the annual Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit; the Sustainable Materials Programme; the World Championship for Energy Savings; and various policy products including the Belém Call for Action and Global Framework for Action on Sustainable Public Procurement. These products work together as an integrated ecosystem of tools, frameworks, and platforms coordinated by GlobalABC to drive the transformation toward a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction Annual flagship publication providing comprehensive data, trends, and policy analysis on global progress in decarbonizing the buildings and construction sector. Used by governments, researchers, and industry stakeholders worldwide to track sector emissions and progress.
• Buildings and Cooling Pavilion A dedicated pavilion at UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs) bringing together governments, industry, finance, and civil society to accelerate the transition toward a zero-emission, resilient and sustainable buildings sector through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.
• Buildings Climate Action Roadmaps Global and regional roadmaps providing step-by-step guidance for countries to develop decarbonization pathways for the buildings and construction sector, covering Africa, Asia, Latin America, and national-level implementations in over 30 countries.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Guide for Buildings Policy guidance and toolkit to help countries incorporate ambitious and effective building sector climate actions into their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, including a revised 2025 NDC guide.
• Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) High-level political framework bringing together governments to collaborate on accelerating decarbonization and resilience in the building sector, aligned with Paris Agreement objectives. Coordinated by GlobalABC, with 53 member countries, and endorsed by 60+ countries through the Déclaration de Chaillot.
• Buildings Breakthrough International collaboration framework co-led by France and Morocco, endorsed by 29 countries and the EU, driving five priority actions for national policies on building decarbonisation and climate resilience toward near-zero emission and resilient buildings (NZERBs) by 2030.
• NZERB Plan to Accelerate Solutions (PAS) Sector-wide shared implementation framework under the Global Climate Action Agenda, connecting political commitments to practical delivery across five priority areas: Standards and Certification, Demand Creation, Finance and Investment, Project Deployment, and Capacity and Skills, to make near-zero emission and resilient buildings the new normal by 2030.
• Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit Annual global summit convening stakeholders to advance sustainable buildings and construction, featuring the ICBC Technical Meeting and showcasing progress on sector decarbonization.
• Sustainable Materials Programme Programme supporting countries to accelerate the transition towards a circular, low-carbon, and resource-efficient built environment through enabling frameworks for sustainable materials, policy support, demonstration projects, and knowledge sharing.
• Global Building Climate Tracker Index developed by GlobalABC to track progress in decarbonization in the buildings and construction sector, complementing the annual Global Status Report.
• Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing Ministerial commitment launched at COP30 ICBC Ministerial Meeting, calling on governments to integrate climate action into housing policy and align national policies with climate goals by 2030-2035.
• Knowledge Platform Online platform providing capacity-building resources, training modules, and knowledge sharing for the buildings and construction sector transformation.
• World Championship for Energy Savings (WCES) Global championship identifying buildings achieving the most significant reductions in energy consumption using real metered performance data, engaging public administrations and major building operators for measurable and replicable energy savings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Buildings account for approximately 34-40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, underscoring the sector's centrality to Paris Agreement goals
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• COP31 Presidency of TürkiyecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2026The COP31 Presidency (hosting in Antalya, November 2026) is partnered with GlobalABC for the COP31 International Sustainable Buildings Competition, which includes the YeS Honor Awards and World Championship for Energy Savings. Türkiye is also a Buildings Breakthrough supporting country and ICBC member.
• Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024The ICBC is an intergovernmental political framework coordinated by GlobalABC and endorsed by 53 member countries. It serves as the primary mechanism for governments to collaborate on building sector decarbonization and climate resilience, anchored in the Déclaration de Chaillot. ICBC's Troika comprises France (Chair), Brazil, and Kenya.
• Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of National Territory Planning, Land Planning, Housing and City PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Morocco co-leads the Buildings Breakthrough with France (launched at COP28), contributing political leadership and serving as a key endorser of the Déclaration de Chaillot. Morocco's government networks support regional roadmaps and decarbonization efforts in Africa and the Arab region.
• Buildings BreakthroughcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023The Buildings Breakthrough is a collaboration framework launched at COP28 under the Breakthrough Agenda, coordinated by GlobalABC, co-led by France and Morocco, and endorsed by 29 countries. It drives five priority actions toward near-zero emission and resilient buildings as the new normal by 2030.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2015GlobalABC is hosted by UNEP and its secretariat is based at UNEP's Paris offices. UNEP provides institutional support, governance oversight through the Governance Framework, and links GlobalABC into the broader UN climate architecture. The Head of the GlobalABC Secretariat also serves as Head of the Sectoral Transition Unit at UNEP's Climate Change Division.
• France - Ministry of Ecological Transition (MTES)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2015France co-chairs the GlobalABC Steering Committee (2025-2027) alongside WBCSD, and co-leads the Buildings Breakthrough with Morocco. France also chairs the ICBC Troika and hosted the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris (March 2024) where the Déclaration de Chaillot was adopted. France is a major financial contributor.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBCSD co-chairs the GlobalABC Steering Committee (2025-2027) alongside France, represented by Roland Hunziker (Director, Built Environment). WBCSD leads the Market Transformation Hub, contributes to the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Actions (B1 Standards and Certification), and represents the private sector constituency on the Steering Committee.
• World Green Building Council (WorldGBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorldGBC is a key strategic partner, with CEO Cristina Gamboa listed as an ambassador and supporter. WorldGBC facilitates the global green building council network's engagement in GlobalABC, leads the NZERB PAS Priority Area 1 (Standards and Certification), and supports Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action B1.
• International Energy Agency (IEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEA is a Steering Committee member representing Intergovernmental Organizations, represented by Chiara Delmastro (Lead Technology Analyst for Buildings). IEA co-developed the Global and Regional Roadmaps with GlobalABC and provides buildings sector data and technology analysis for the Global Status Report.
• Brazil - Ministry of CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazil serves as ICBC Troika Vice-Chair (alongside Kenya), hosted the ICBC First Ministerial Meeting at COP30 in Belém (November 2025), and co-hosted the Neighbourhood of the Mutirão for Cities, Water and Infrastructure. Brazil's Ministry of Cities leads the PAC federal housing investment programme aligned with GlobalABC goals.
• Kenya - Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya serves as ICBC Troika Vice-Chair (alongside Brazil) and is a Buildings Breakthrough supporting country. Kenya's County Government of Kisumu is represented on the GlobalABC Steering Committee. Kenya is advancing green building practices under its Vision 2030 initiative and represents sub-Saharan Africa in the ICBC leadership.
• UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNOPS is an implementation partner in the 'Transforming The Built Environment Through Sustainable Materials' project, providing operational and project management support alongside UNEP and UN-Habitat. UNOPS also participates in the Buildings Breakthrough as a Supporting Organisation.
• UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN-Habitat is an implementation partner in the Sustainable Materials project alongside UNEP and UNOPS, contributing expertise on urban settlements, housing policy, and sustainable urban development. UN-Habitat is also listed as a member organisation of GlobalABC.
• Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEEB (co-led by AFD and GIZ) is a key facilitating partner for NZERB PAS Priority Area 3 (Finance and Investment) and Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action B3. PEEB provides financing facilities landscape surveys, Article 6 implementation handbooks, and a bank capacity-building initiative (starting in Mexico) for NZERBs.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFC is a facilitating partner for NZERB PAS Priority Area 3 (Finance and Investment) and Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action B3. IFC contributes the Building Resilience Index and EDGE Buildings certification, providing financing and technical tools for building decarbonization in emerging markets.
• World Resources Institute (WRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRI is a Roadmap Coordination Hub member and Buildings Breakthrough Supporting Organisation. WRI contributes to buildings and construction roadmaps globally, operates the Building Efficiency Accelerator and Zero Carbon Building Accelerator, and is part of the GlobalABC member network driving policy action.
• International Code Council (ICC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC is the facilitating partner for NZERB PAS Priority Area 5 (Capacity and Skills) and Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action B5. ICC leads the Capacity-Building Resources and Knowledge Portal (launched in beta), providing building codes and compliance frameworks for NZERB implementation.
• Solar Impulse FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar Impulse Foundation is a facilitating partner for NZERB PAS Priority Area 4 (Project Deployment) and Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action B4. It produced the Catalogue of Climate Solutions for Buildings (launched at COP30), profiling finance-ready, scalable solutions for the buildings sector.
• One Planet NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne Planet Network is the facilitating partner for NZERB PAS Priority Area 2 (Demand Creation) and Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action B2. It co-developed the Global Framework for Action on Circular and Sustainable Public Procurement for the Built Environment and supports country-level implementation through training modules and regional capacity building.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGIZ is co-leader (with AFD) of the Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) and a Roadmap Coordination Hub member. GIZ provides technical assistance, capacity building, and implementation support for building sector decarbonization projects, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies.
• EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPFL co-organised the 2026 Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit in Lausanne with UNEP and GlobalABC, hosting the first in-person ICBC Technical Meeting. EPFL is represented in GlobalABC's member network through its Centre Worldwide Sustainable Construction (CWSC-EPFL).
• C40 Cities Climate Leadership GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerC40 is a Buildings Breakthrough Supporting Organisation, contributing the Clean Construction Accelerator, Net Zero Buildings Accelerator, and Private Building Efficiency Network to the Buildings Breakthrough landscape. C40 represents major cities committed to climate action in the building sector.
• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRICS is a supporting organisation of the Buildings Breakthrough, contributing professional standards and measurement methodologies for buildings. RICS supports the NZERB PAS by providing built environment expertise and global professional network engagement.
• Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGGGI is a GlobalABC member and Buildings Breakthrough Supporting Organisation, contributing green growth expertise and financing mechanisms for sustainable buildings in developing and emerging economies.
• MIT Climate Policy CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT Climate Policy Center co-authored a UN policy brief with the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee and GlobalABC, released at COP30. The brief provides recommendations on climate technologies to reduce emissions in the building sector and assists policymakers in selecting cost-effective, market-ready solutions.
• Buildings toCOP CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BuildingToCOP Coalition is listed as a Buildings Breakthrough Supporting Organisation and a GlobalABC initiative. It aggregates private sector commitments and advocacy for buildings at COP events, amplifying the sector's voice in international climate negotiations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• International Code Council (ICC): ICC is the facilitating partner for NZERB PAS Priority Area 5 (Capacity and Skills) and leads the Capacity-Building Resources and Knowledge Portal. It develops building codes and compliance frameworks that directly feed into GlobalABC's NZERB implementation workstreams.
• Carbon Leadership Forum: The Carbon Leadership Forum is a global network of building industry stakeholders focused on reducing embodied carbon in buildings and construction. It produces comparable embodied carbon data, policy guidance, and procurement tools, intersecting with GlobalABC's Sustainable Materials programme.
• Architecture 2030: Architecture 2030 is a non-profit focused on eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment by 2030. It develops the 2030 Palette and Zero Code tools, addressing a narrower but directly comparable scope in building sector decarbonization advocacy and standards.
• Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy: The Global Covenant of Mayors is the largest alliance of cities and local governments committed to climate action. It addresses overlapping city-level climate commitments and building sector decarbonization targets, intersecting with GlobalABC's Subnationals Action Group and roadmap work.

Direct peers

• International Energy Agency (IEA): IEA is a Steering Committee member of GlobalABC and co-developer of its global and regional buildings roadmaps. It produces comparable buildings sector data and analysis through its Buildings programme and is the leading intergovernmental authority on buildings energy technology and policy.
• UN-Habitat: UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme for sustainable urban development and human settlements. It is a GlobalABC member and implementation partner in the Sustainable Materials project, addressing closely overlapping policy and capacity-building mandates in the buildings and construction space.
• Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE): BPIE is an independent European think tank focused on buildings energy performance and decarbonization policy. It produces comparable policy analysis, data, and recommendations for EU buildings decarbonization, overlapping with GlobalABC's policy coordination and NDC integration work.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): WBCSD co-chairs the GlobalABC Steering Committee and leads the Market Transformation Hub. It represents the private sector constituency in GlobalABC and operates its own Built Environment pathway, making it a structurally embedded partner and comparable platform for corporate sustainability engagement.
• World Green Building Council (WorldGBC): WorldGBC is a global network of national green building councils advancing sustainable built environments. It is a direct peer and strategic partner of GlobalABC, co-leading the NZERB PAS Priority Area 1 (Standards and Certification) and the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action B1, serving similar governments, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.
• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: C40 is a network of major cities committed to climate action and a Buildings Breakthrough Supporting Organisation. It contributes accelerators like the Net Zero Buildings Accelerator and Clean Construction Accelerator, operating in a closely overlapping municipal/buildings decarbonization space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Join_GlobalABC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD5R3Ssh6EbtUYaNuBe-PgA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/join-globalabc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC)