On October 6 and 7, 2021, a very important virtual event was hosted in Cameroon by Green Building Council (GBC) Cameroon. It is the African Green Building Summit 2021, under the theme: “The Africa We Want: A Sustainable Built Environment for Everyone, Everywhere”. The theme anchorred climate action through the built environment, including buildings, infrastructure and utilities across the continent. It was the 4th edition of its kind with the aim of:
- Providing a platform for WorldGBC Board members, Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) members, members, stakeholders, and whole-of society to exchange ideas on best practice for sustainable buildings,
- Creating momentum amongst the building and construction industry’s movers and shakers around green building issues, by advocating for smart policies, strategies and creative programs that involve both the public and private sectors,
- Promoting the adoption of green building practices and sharing new technologies,
- Offering participants, a forum to network and create business opportunities,
- Encouraging regional GBCs to share their local experiences in implementing the World Green Building Council common strategy,
- Exploring ways and mechanisms through which regional cooperation can be enhanced.
This event was attended by WorldGBC Board Members, Corporate Advisory Board, African Regional Network, international and regional partners and stakeholders, architecture & engineering professionals and firms, real estate developers, contractors, suppliers & manufacturers of building & construction products and services, local governments and municipalities, academia and green / sustainable building aspirants as well as building users at all levels and Youth Networks.
The two (2) day event was richly covered by welcome address by Nwancha Roger Tikum, CEO of GBC Cameroon, opening remark, keynote address and presentations. The opening remark was presented by Cristina Gamboa, CEO of WorldGBC who established the expectation needed from the region to ensure that buildings provide a high quality of life for people, minimise negative impacts on the environment and maximise economic benefits. The keynote address was presented by Clement Adjorlolo, Smart Places Programme Officer at AUDA-NEPAD, who addressed the urgency of collaboration between the African Union and the WorldGBC Africa Regional Network in meeting Agenda 2063 Goals and the development of smart sustainable cities.
Presentations from leading organizations was in form of training, workshops and an exhibition from GBCs and WorldGBC Africa Regional Network sponsors and collaborators. Topics of discussion included health and wellbeing, and resources and circularity.
Also, very important was the launching of the Africa Regional Network (ARN) Manifesto that articulated the declaration of the intentions and targets of the regional network in this decade of action. In it, “The Africa We Want” is a resilient, socially inclusive, equitable, environmentally sustainable and cultural vibrant built environment for everyone, everywhere. This was intended to be achieved by transforming the building and construction sector and entire value chain across three strategic areas – climate action, health and wellbeing and resource and circularity. The ARN committed to working with businesses, organisations and governments to drive the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
Eng. IJUNGHI Olivia, Civil Engineer and passionate about renewable energy and sustainability.
