International Code Council Initiatives Highlighted in 2024 Breakthrough Agenda Report

Washington D.C.– On September 26, 2024, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released the third annual Breakthrough Agenda Report. The report provides an annual update on progress against the Breakthrough Agenda, which is a collaborative framework supported by 59 national governments aimed at accelerating action on climate change. The Buildings Breakthrough was adopted at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 28^th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai last year. The Buildings Breakthrough calls for the achievement of near-zero emissions and resilient buildings by 2030.

The 2024 Breakthrough Agenda Report assesses progress made from the previous year and provides recommendations for additional progress that is needed and opportunities for tangible and collective action. Some of these opportunities include several of the International Code Council’s initiatives mentioned specifically in the 2024 Report.

The Code Council launched the Building Capacity for Sustainable and Resilient Buildings initiative in support of the Buildings Breakthrough at COP28. The Initiative focuses on capacity-building resources (e.g. policies, tools, organizational entities) needed to create a regulatory ecosystem for the effective implementation and enforcement of building codes, including energy codes.

In addition to the Initiative, the report also highlights the collaboration between the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Code Council to jointly develop an international standard (ASHRAE/ICC Standard 240P). This standard will support quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the lifecycle of a building to provide consistency in verification and reporting and is expected to open for public review later this year.

“The Code Council has consistently emphasized the vital influence buildings have on the sustainability and resilience of the built environment,” said Code Council Vice President of Innovation Ryan Colker. “Having our efforts recognized by global leaders as part of the solution to both reducing global GHG emissions and improving building resiliency acknowledges the potential global impact of the solutions that we have developed. We will continue to develop and deploy solutions that will assist governments and organizations seeking to achieve climate adaptation and mitigation goals.”

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About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

2025 Conference – App

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Update on Hurricane Helene

Update on Hurricane Helene

The International Code Council is deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by deadly Hurricane Helene. Our thoughts are with those affected during this incredibly difficult time.

The Category 4 hurricane made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday, September 26, 2024, bringing with it 140 mph winds, 15-foot storm surge and torrential rain. As the storm moved north over the weekend, it passed through Georgia, the Carolinas, and the Tennessee River Valley, bringing catastrophic flooding and landslides that have left communities isolated and destroyed. Millions of people remain without power, food and water. Search and rescue efforts are still active in several states. Government officials and aid groups are working to restore power and bring in basic supplies to the hardest hit areas. More than 100 people have lost their lives, and the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue missions continue. Early estimates on damage are in the billions of dollars.

Disaster Recovery Resource for Building Safety Professionals

When disasters strike, codes and standards serve as a baseline for the return to safe, sanitary, and habitable buildings. Code officials and their floodplain management counterparts rely on support from emergency managers and community leaders to help secure the critical resources needed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community. To that end, FEMA has a disaster recovery policy specifically aimed at providing much-needed assistance for code officials and floodplain managers during disaster response and initial recovery for up to 180 days following a major disaster declaration.

Learn how to apply for building code administration and enforcement assistance here. This policy, administered under FEMA’s program, offers reimbursement for critical community functions such as building code administration, code enforcement, floodplain management administration and enforcement, and conducting substantial damage survey inspections in affected communities.

If you need assistance, please reach out to us through your regional Government Relations representative.

For more information, visit the Code Council’s resource page.

Download FEMA's DRRA 1206 resource here.

As an aid to community disaster response, the Code Council and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) sponsor the Disaster Response Alliance (DRA). The DRA maintains a national database of skilled, trained, and certified building safety professionals who are standing by and ready to assist communities in need. The DRA has assembled a cadre of skilled code officials, engineers, and others from across the country who are willing to assist with post-disaster safety assessments, building damage assessments, inspections, and surge support for other code-related functions. The Disaster Response Alliance brings together skilled, volunteer second responders in one place for easy access and quick mobilization. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities may request assistance directly through the DRA website. 

Interested in becoming a DRA resource? 

The DRA is always looking for volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a DRA second responder resource, please visit the Volunteer Now link on the DRA website. Architects, engineers, and building safety professionals willing to make a difference during times of disaster are encouraged to apply. The DRA is also looking for individuals with specialized skills, knowledge, or abilities such as plans examiners, permit technicians, and building inspectors. 