Advancing a Just Transition in the Built Environment

Decisions about what gets built, where and how have major implications for people’s lives now and for many years to come. 

Buildings and construction contribute 37% of global energy-related carbon emissions. At the same time, the built environment is where many people directly experience the impacts of climate change in their daily lives, as well as energy access and affordability. IHRB is working with partners on a two-year project to strengthen pathways to just climate action in the built environment, combining deep dives in eight cities with international-level advocacy. 

The project focuses on measures to reduce emissions from buildings and construction, and to strengthen resilience in ways that ensure: 

  • The right to adequate housing, which encompasses elements such as security of tenure, affordability and habitability

  • Construction workers’ rights, on site and through supply chains

  • Non-discrimination and spatial justice, so that climate action in the built environment reduces rather than deepens existing inequality

  • Meaningful participation, so that all residents have opportunities to shape decisions that impact their lives

 


Download: What’s needed for a just transition in the built environment?


Notes on terminology

Built environment: Buildings, infrastructure and the places that connect them

Just transition: “A Just Transition involves maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate action, while minimizing and carefully managing any challenges” (ILO). Drawing on this definition, the project seeks to define and inspire climate action in the built environment that brings people along, expands opportunity, respects human rights and avoids harm. 

The project recognises that the phrase “just transition” is context specific, and is often not understood at all: the project aims to engage with local language, narrative and perspectives while also building international momentum for change. 


Project Goals

1. Strengthen the evidence base for a just transition in the built environment through action research

  • Action research in eight cities: Investigate the human rights dimensions of transition processes relating to the built environment in eight cities globally: Prague, Lagos, Lisbon, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Jakarta, Athens, and Valparaiso. These processes include resiliency efforts, decarbonisation of existing and new buildings through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy supplies, and reducing the climate footprint of construction materials. Questions include how these processes are impacting people, who is involved in decision-making, and what can be done differently.

The fieldwork in the eight cities is being conducted in four research cycles of two cities (each linking up to the respective national and regional contexts), with lessons shared from one phase to the next.

  • Land ownership: Map the major private and public land owners in four of the cities, as a step to increase transparency and accountability, and to generate lessons on land ownership-mapping in urban areas.

  • Economic innovation: Gather 100 cases of innovative or alternative economic models in the built environment, that aim to address root causes of inequality and climate degradation.

The city research summaries for Prague, Lagos, Melbourne, Lisbon, and Copenhagen are now available to download. 

 

2. Build a collective narrative and vision

  • Visioning sessions in each city bring together multiple stakeholders to imagine a just and climate-resilient future for the built environment, and workshop what is needed to overcome barriers to action by the public and private sectors.
  • Local artists have translated these visions into unique art pieces.

 

3. Changing policy and practice

Findings from the research and visioning processes will inform strategic policy engagement and communications, with COP27, COP28 and the World Urban Forum 12 in June 2024, as key inflection points. Policy advocacy and strategic communications will aim to shape:

  • Government policy – in regulations, urban planning and public procurement

City Toolkit: The role of local government in advancing a just transition in the built environment

  • Investor practice – simultaneously tackling the climate and housing crisis

Making the case for green and affordable housing investment in Europe

  • And academic theory and teaching – advancing the field and guiding future generations 

Throughout, IHRB will share and encourage uptake of its existing practical tools in particular the Framework for Dignity in the Built Environment.

Partners

IHRB is partnering with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability for this project, and will also engage with multiple additional thematic and sectoral organisations throughout such, as Building and Woodworkers International, International Union of Tenants, World Green Building Council, UNPRI and C40 Cities, as well as IHRB's partners in the Coalition for Dignity in the Built Environment: Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Rafto Foundation, and Melbourne School of Design.

Project Findings

The city research summaries are available to download below:


Photo credit: Solar village, Vauban, Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe – imageBROKER / Alamy Stock Photo