Four African countries are joining a global climate initiative focused on sustainable buildings, supporting long-term efforts to reduce emissions and strengthen urban resilience.
Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa have been selected to join a major international initiative aimed at accelerating climate action within the building and construction sector. The project, led by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), will support the development of national climate action roadmaps designed to guide sustainable construction and renovation efforts through to 2050.
The initiative will be delivered through national Green Building Councils and multi-stakeholder partnerships, bringing together government, industry, finance and civil society to co-create practical strategies for reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and strengthening resilience in the built environment.
Buildings and construction currently account for approximately one-third of global energy-related carbon emissions, making the sector central to achieving international climate targets. Africa is expected to experience significant growth in new construction over the coming decades, positioning the continent as a critical region in shaping the future sustainability of the built environment.
The roadmaps will establish short, medium and long-term actions that align with both national and global climate commitments. Each roadmap will follow a science-based methodology and include measurable goals that stakeholders can use to track progress and accountability over time.
The Africa expansion builds on the success of similar roadmap initiatives in Europe, including the #BuildingLife programme, which helped influence policy development and mobilised significant investment into reducing building-related emissions. The project also aligns with broader international climate efforts linked to the United Nations-backed Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction.
In South Africa, the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) will lead the process locally, beginning with Gauteng as a pilot region. The roadmap is expected to support sector-wide collaboration while helping align policy, finance and industry toward decarbonising the built environment and supporting a just transition.
The announcement comes as countries around the world increasingly focus on practical implementation strategies to move climate commitments from policy discussions into real-world action. By creating coordinated national pathways, the initiative aims to support long-term economic resilience, cleaner energy systems and more sustainable urban growth.
WorldGBC says the programme reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that climate solutions are locally driven, regionally relevant and capable of delivering measurable impact within communities.
