Liz McKeon’s Post

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Philanthropy must lead the way to protect the planet

I have long advocated the enormous opportunity to lower emissions and improve quality of life through the built environment. The data are confirming this, with GHG reductions coming from materials, construction processes, demolition and of course a building’s use, whether it is a home, office, hospital, recreational facility, school or place of worship. To me, this is where climate action lives. We all have a stake and we can all reap benefits (lower costs, better health by reducing toxic exposure, thermal comfort as our climate changes). Time to get serious about a comprehensive approach to decarbonising buildings!

View organization page for IKEA Foundation

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#DidYouKnow that in Europe, buildings are responsible for 36% of all carbon emissions? What if we can change that? Our partner The World Green Building Council is working to cut down emissions from buildings across Europe with their project #BuildingLife by helping implement decarbonisation roadmaps across 12 European countries. 🙌 We’re proud to be supporting this powerful initiative - watch the video below to see what WGBC has achieved so far 👇 #PeopleAndPlanet #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange #Impact #BuiltEnvironment

Shishir Soti

Seasoned not-for-profit and retail banking professional I Advisory Board Member I Innovative fundraising strategist I Philanthropic advisor I Advancing Decarbonization, Climate Action, and Sustainable Development

3mo

Spot on, Liz! The built environment is indeed a pivotal area for decarbonization and improving quality of life. In countries like India, this challenge is also a massive opportunity. With rapid urbanization, we can leapfrog to sustainable construction practices, embrace energy-efficient designs, and integrate renewable energy in both new and existing buildings. Moreover, traditional Indian architecture offers lessons in passive cooling and resource efficiency that can inspire modern solutions. A comprehensive approach here not only reduces emissions but also creates healthier, more cost-effective, and climate-resilient spaces. The time to act is now—especially in regions where the stakes are highest and the potential for innovation is greatest!

Ian Shapiro (he/him)

CEO Reall: building a green affordable homes movement in Africa & Asia. Meaningful Business 100 winner. Top 20 CEO by The CEO Publication. NED whg. RSA Fellow. Adviser to UN Under Secretary General on urbanisation.

3mo

spot on Liz, with 70% of buildings that will exist in 2050 not yet built in Africa and Asia, now is the time to make serious changes to the way we work and live in our cities everywhere.

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