ASHRAE, a global leader in sustainable technology resources for the built environment, will present innovative building decarbonization solutions at the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28). The conference, hosted by the COP 28 UAE Presidency, will take place in Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, 2023, and will bring together industry leaders, elected officials, policymakers, scientists, and businesses to collaborate on climate action and shape a more sustainable future.

During the conference, ASHRAE will showcase the power of design thinking and consensus-based standards in providing integrated solutions for the entire lifecycle of buildings, aiming to decarbonize the sector as a whole. With the Society’s expertise in developing standards and guidance, ASHRAE offers a scalable framework that empowers governments, building owners and operators in adopting sustainable building practices.

"Decarbonization of our existing global building stock is one of the greatest challenges in achieving sustained reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions," said 2023-24 ASHRAE President Ginger Scoggins, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE. "ASHRAE's commitment to developing consensus-based standards and guidance provides an excellent foundation for governments and municipalities to make the transition to a more sustainable future. We are proud to support the goals of COP28 and consider it a privilege to collaborate with like-minded industry partners from around the world on solutions that accelerate our goal for all buildings to operate at net zero by 2050 or sooner."

ASHRAE leadership will participate in an official COP 28 Side Event titled “Design Thinking, Global Standards, & Integrative Solutions for a Net Zero Built Environment,” 08 Dec 2023, from 15:00 – 16:30 GST (6:00 – 7:30 AM EST). During this event, ASHRAE will participate in a panel discussion focusing on how the building sector plays a leadership role in reducing GHGs and present resources available from ASHRAE to help achieve carbon reduction goals. This livestreamed side event is organized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), ASHRAE, the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute Ltd. (IVL), and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

ASHRAE, along with the International Code Council (ICC) and Architecture 2030, will feature an exhibit titled Buildings and Infrastructure | Core Solutions, 01 December through 03 December 2023. In this exhibit, ASHRAE will share information on existing building and energy codes/standards, green technologies, and design solutions and how to use them in the reduction of global GHG emissions.

ASHRAE, and several of the world’s leading building industry organizations, issued a letter to government representatives attending COP 28 committing to their leadership role in achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions in all new buildings in operation by 2030 and pledging support for representatives in attendance.

“ASHRAE and the signatories of the building industry letter that we issued to governments participating in COP 28, underscores our collective commitment to advancing sustainable building practices and reducing the environmental impact of the built environment in the climate crisis. By leveraging our extensive networks of expertise and knowledge to promote the adoption of net zero technologies, we aim to drive the global building stock towards a more sustainable and resilient future,” said Scoggins.

For more information about ASHRAE’s participation in COP 28, including access to the live-streamed side event, a list of signatories to the building industry letter to governments, and the Society’s involvement in past conferences, visit ashrae.org/COP28.