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Reducing emissions from all building types continues to be one of the most cost-effective solutions to tackling climate change, and regulation has a direct role to play. It is encouraging that 50 per cent of countries recognise the potential of buildings in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). But we believe that all, that is 100 per cent of national governments, should include the decarbonisation of buildings within their NDCs, as a key strategy to achieve their emission reduction targets.Many more sub-national governments are demonstrating leadership on this front, from the City of Vancouver, which will require all buildings constructed from 2020 onwards to be carbon neutral in operations, to the US-state of California, adopting the goal in 2007 that all new residential construction would be net zero energy by 2020 and all new commercial construction would be net zero energy by 2030. In total, over 190 major cities have developed ambitious climate action plans, and like national governments, all cities should recognise the opportunity that buildings provide to achieving their targets. Action by non-governmental organisations represents the final part of this multi-pronged path for change. By developing tools and certification for net zero carbon buildings, engaging and supporting governments, and educating and mobilising both business and the public on the benefits of net zero buildings, NGOs are well positioned to lead this transformation to net zero. As mentioned above, 10 Green Building Councils are already showing in practice how this can work, through the development of their own net zero certification schemes, which will be launched before March 2018. We strongly believe that this approach will bring about a groundswell of market transformation through the adoption of voluntary building certification; businesses taking action to first make commitments, and then to convert those commitments into action; and governments leading by example and improving strategy and policy and through technology change. And the prize is huge. Achieving a zero carbon built environment by 2050 will deliver a number of political and economic benefits, such as technology development and innovation, energy security, job creation, and significant investment in new energy systems. But most significant of all, it will ensure our industry plays its part in limiting the impacts of climate change for future generations to come. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORTerri Wills is CEO of the World Green Building Council, a global network of Green Building Councils which is transforming the places we live, work, play, heal and learn.Previously, Ms Wills was with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group where she spearheaded C40’s networks that have had a direct impact on policy in over half of C40 cities. She also served as the London City Director for the Clinton Climate Initiative, worked with the Government of Ontario, Canada, on clean technology and creative industry development, and worked for the BBC as a Head of Strategy.Below/right: The precinct of Barangaroo in Sydney, Australia, is one of the most ambitious urban renewal projects in the world todaySMART CITIES 105