The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and the network of 17 Green Building Councils (GBCs) from North, Central and South America have launched the Americas Manifesto for a Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment.
The manifesto outlines the key policy priorities for the region structured around eight pillars: carbon and energy, adaption and resilience, biodiversity and nature, circular economy, water, health and wellbeing, equity and access, and finance.
Recognising the potential of buildings in the Americas
Buildings account for 21% of energy-related CO2 emissions in Latin America (GlobalABC, 2020), 35% of total emissions in the US (USDOE, 2024), and 18% in Canada (IISD, 2025). As international leaders head to Belém in Brazil for this year's UN Climate Conference (COP30), we're calling for governments to recognise the major role of the built environment in closing the emissions and resilience gaps across the Americas.
Access to adequate housing is also a significant issue. Over 120 million people in Latin America live in informal settlements, often without basic services such as safe water, sanitation, and electricity (WEF, 2025). Climate change is only amplifying these inequalities.
It's imperative for policymakers to strengthen the ability of homes and communities to respond to external shocks and stressors, and ensure equal access to safe, healthy, sustainable homes and communities for all citizens. The manifesto provides guidance under each pillar for regulations, information and incentives to advance these priorities.
Coordinated action across the region
The Americas Regional Network has been leading change on the ground for many years through policy implementation, certification schemes, material passport initiatives, and impactful programmes that advance climate-aligned building practices. These examples, and more, form actionable success stories within the manifesto which demonstrate what can already be achieved and the potential for replication across the region.
Dominika Czerwinska, Engagement & Implementation Director, WorldGBC:
"This manifesto is both a challenge and an invitation to political leaders, policymakers, and the industry. A challenge and an invitation to #BeBoldOnBuildings to unlock the positive social, economic, and environmental benefits that ambitious and equitable built environment policies can deliver. This guidance has been created through the combined expertise and experience of our network of 17 Green Building Councils and over 21,000 private and public sector members, providing unique insights and solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing the region."
Together with policymakers, businesses, and communities, we are ready to implement these key policy priorities and ensure that sustainable buildings are at the heart of a thriving, inclusive, and climate-resilient future for the Americas.
