Assura : We join Built Environment Virtual Pavilion for COP26

We've joined the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) as part of a coalition of almost 100 partner organisations across the built environment sector who will support the delivery of a Built Environment Virtual Pavilion, ahead of the UN's COP26 Climate Summit scheduled to take place in Glasgow this November.

To enable maximum participation, UKGBC is acting as secretariat to a huge number of organisations who have joined forces to establish a smart virtual presence, which aims to give the sector a voice at COP26, and generate a reach and legacy that can stretch beyond COP itself.

The Virtual Pavilion will compromise an exhibition of global exemplar projects and places, within a bespoke virtual reality (VR) space, as well as a major series of events and downloadable content - to include keynotes, panel discussions and more. Partners will shortly launch an open call for a creative and innovative virtual centrepiece for the Pavilion, with a detailed brief expected to be formally announced within the next few weeks.

Our CEO, Jonathan Murphy, said: 'As the NHS embarks on its net zero journey, we hope the Virtual Pavillion will help to highlight the role of the health service's estate in the UK's wider net zero ambitions. With our target to create the first net zero carbon medical centre for both construction and operation by 2026, there is huge opportunity to improve health and wellbeing and minimise impact on the environment through the places where we access healthcare in our communities.'

Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC, said: 'The eye of the world will be on COP26, for what must be a key milestone moment - a historic turning point in our battle against climate change. It is an opportunity for nations, cities, business and civil society to demonstrate that the Paris Agreement is effective, momentum is unstoppable and - perhaps above all else - we are moving from targets to action.

'The built environment is fundamental to many of the themes of COP26. It has a critical role to play in mitigating climate change, responsible for 39% of energy related CO2 emissions and is central to building resilience against climatic extremes too late to avoid, through nature-based solutions. It is key, also, to the aspiration of building back better after COVID.

'I'm delighted that the built environment sector is coming together to work in an unprecedented collaboration, for what promises to be a truly unique virtual experience. This will enable widespread access and engagement with built environment issues at COP26 that will complement whatever activities are able to happen in person, and provide an online legacy that will last far beyond November.'