International Code Council @ COP30

The International Code Council (ICC) is engaging globally to communicate the Codes at the Core message: building codes and the activities that support their effective use are central to the realization of a climate-resilient future.

This is why the Code Council engages at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) and now participates annually at the Conference of the Parties (COP).

Communities are facing increased disaster events, many driven by climate change. At the same time, governments are looking for solutions to stem the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that continue to drive changes in climate.

The built environment is central to enhancing resilience and mitigating GHG emissions. Buildings are our shelter against the storm, the homes of our governments and institutions, drivers of economies and symbols of our ideals. At the same time, buildings are significant users of energy and materials.

Policies at the national and sub-national levels to achieve net-zero emissions and enhance community resilience must include a strong focus on current and future buildings.

COP30 Sessions Featuring the International Code Council

ICC is partnering with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for an exhibit from November 17-20. This exhibit will feature a range of tools, including frameworks and best-practice solutions, demonstrating how modern, appropriately scaled, and enforced building and energy codes—combined with innovative architectural designs—are essential for creating a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment.

The highlighted sessions below will welcome participation from ICC's Global Solutions and Energy, Resilience & Innovation team.

Greening Construction: Bio-Based Materials and Modular Building
Blue Zone – WGEO Pavilion
November 10 | 2–3pm BST

Saint-Gobain Sustainable Construction Talk
Museo do Estado do Para
November 12 | 6:30–8pm BST

Sustainable Public Procurement: Global Cooperation for a Low Carbon, Resilient & Circular Future
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 13 | 2–3:30pm BST
Register to receive live stream link

Building Affordable and Resilient Homes for a Changing Climate
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 14 | 9:15–10:45am BST
Register to receive live stream link

Sustainable and Resilient Buildings and Construction
Blue Zone – Pakistan Pavilion
November 15 | 4–5pm BST

Arming policy makers and practitioners with the tools needed to achieve green and resilient buildings
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 17 | 9–10:30am BST
Register to receive live stream link

Building for Forests & People: Delivering Resilient and Responsible Building Solutions
Blue Zone – COP Presidency Thematic Hub
November 18 | 11am–Noon BST

Designing for the future – embedding sustainability in the built environment
Blue Zone – Official Side Event Room 4
November 19 | 11:30am–1pm BST

From Paralysis to Progress: Launching the Adaptation Pathways for a Resilient Buildings & Construction Sector
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 19 | 1–2:30pm BST
Register to receive live stream link

Achieving Resilience Through Right-Sized Codes and Capacity Building in the Marshall Islands
Blue Zone – CDRI Partnership
November 19 | 4:15–5:30pm BST

Relevant COP30 Resources

GlobalABC Adaptation Pathways
(launching 19 Nov)

Building Breakthrough Capacity Building Portal (in development)

ICC Capacity Building Tookit
(in development)

Recap of COP29

ICC joined stakeholders from around the world during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11-22, 2024 to engage in dialogue and deep collaboration on the sidelines of the negotiations about solutions to improve the safety and resilience of the built environment as the world experiences increasingly frequent and severe weather-related hazards. ICC also provides leadership in the Buildings Breakthrough campaign, which promotes near-zero emissions and resilient buildngs as the new norm by 2030. ICC representatives also showcased ICC solutions that can be leveraged around the world to improve building standards, support innovation, and build capacity for compliance.

Read the new Interim Report in Support of the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 5, released in November 2024.

Visit the Building Capacity for Sustainable and Resilient Buildings Initiative to learn more about the International Commitment in Support of the Buildings Breakthrough.

Read the report, Building Codes and the International Breakthrough Agenda, released in November 2023.

View our participation at COP29

Climate Risk Mitigation Opportunities
Blue Zone – Standards Pavilion
November 13
View the Recording

Ask Us About Our High Standards
Blue Zone – America is All In
November 15
View the Recording

Revolutionizing Heating and Cooling for Building Decarbonization
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 16
View the Recording

Leveraging Global Conformity Assessment Services to Verify Product Claims, Promote Resilience and Quality, and Avoid Greenwashing
Green Zone – Trade House
November 20

Housing as an Equitable Climate Strategy
Blue Zone – U.S. Center
November 20
View the Recording

Developing Energy-Efficient Green Building Standards for Zimbabwe
Blue Zone – Zimbabwe Pavilion
November 14

Enabling a Climate-Aligned Built Environment: Leveraging Transparent, Trustworthy and Verifiable Data from Across the Value Chain
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 16
View the Recording

Accelerating the Built Environment Market Transformation
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 18
View the Recording

Dealing with Disaster
Blue Zone – U.S. Center
November 20
View the Recording

Buildings Breakthrough for Net Zero and Resilient Buildings
Blue Zone – Side Event Room 8
November 21

Collaborating and Knowledge: The Key to Concrete Sustainability
Blue Zone – GCCA Pavilion
November 14

Adaption is Everyone's Business
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 16
View the Recording

Building Resilient Communities and Cities
Blue Zone – GCCA Pavilion
November 19

COP29 Deliverables, 2025 Priority Actions, Synergies Among Priority Actions
Blue Zone – Buildings Pavilion
November 20
View the Recording

From Baku to Belem: Takeaways and Action Items for Cities and Built Environment Stakeholders
Blue Zone – NDC Partnership
November 22
View the Recording