Foster + Partners at COP28 | Roundup

The 28^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) brought together leaders from governments, businesses, NGOs and civil society in Dubai to find concrete solutions to the defining issue of our time. Foster + Partners’ team was in Dubai to witness and participate in the event.

Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: “The message I delivered in Dubai is the same one I conveyed in Glasgow two years ago, and is something I have advocated over six decades of professional practice. In a world of growing population and increasing urbanisation, climate change targets will not be met unless our current and future cities are truly sustainable. Global advocacy has its place, but action needs to be at a local level.”

On Friday 1 December, at the invitation of the UN, who have elected him the Advocate of their Forum of Mayors, Lord Foster attended an exclusive Leaders Event on Mobilising a New Financial Architecture. The event was launched by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, President of COP28, and the on-stage panel comprised Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; William Ruto, President of Kenya; Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; and Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director and moderator of the discussion.

Lord Foster also attended a lunch hosted by BUPA along with civic leaders and climate change experts, where he spoke about the role of mayors and cities to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. Later that afternoon, as Advocate for the Forum of Mayors, Lord Foster joined a gathering of world mayors, and that evening, attended the Bloomberg Philanthropies Climate Leaders Reception and Dinner.

The following day, he joined Francine Lacqua of Bloomberg Media at a packed UNFCCC Pavilion to deliver a keynote address with an on-stage discussion. The focus of the discussion was sustainable cities, and the vital role that civic leaders of the future will play in their creation.

Chris Trott, Head of Sustainability at Foster + Partners, spoke at three events this year, starting with the Lloyd’s Banking Group Panel on Saturday 2 December. Hosted by Goals House, the roundtable discussion centred on Lloyd’s recently published report titled ‘Decarbonising the UK’s homes.’ The panel focused on four key ideas, which are outlined in the report: the need for more publicly available information to successfully decarbonise homes, the monetary cost of retrofitting, policy and legislation as the most powerful catalysts for change, and the importance of financial sector support to manage the transition to net zero homes.

This discussion was followed by a panel at ICD Brookfield’s ‘Changemakers Hub,’ on Tuesday 5 December. Chris spoke about the built environment’s role in accelerating decarbonisation and turning sustainable ambitions into actionable strategies. He reflected on the importance of helping clients to navigate the complexities of sustainability, and providing tailored solutions that align with their specific needs.

Chris rounded off his time in Dubai by taking part in the ‘Cambridge Zero’ panel on Wednesday 6 December. Moderated by Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, Director at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Climate Repair, the panel discussed their ideas for reducing carbon consumption in new and existing buildings, as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with new technologies. During this discussion, Chris spoke about the practice’s Masdar City project, which combines state-of-the-art technologies with the planning principles of traditional Arab settlements to create a desert community that aims to be carbon neutral and zero waste.

“It has been another thought-provoking and informative year at COP,” Chris Trott said. “We took part in a number of enriching discussions about the future of our built environment and are leaving with new thoughts and ideas about how we can continue to advance our sustainable design methodologies and develop cutting-edge strategies for a brighter future.”

Irene Gallou, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, attended the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum (BPCF) to announce a new roadmap for addressing embodied carbon in the built environment, alongside other members of the Sustainable Buildings Task Force. The group presented a report, which outlines solutions, challenges, and best practices for reducing embodied carbon in a building’s MEP system – a significant, but rarely highlighted, component of a building’s overall emissions.

Irene said: “The surge in investments and the strengthened commitment to working together have kindled a newfound optimism within me. It seems more apparent than ever that our sector is poised to surmount the challenges that lie ahead, and there is a palpable sense of hope that we can successfully achieve the ambitious targets set before us.”

Will Plowman, Partner at Foster + Partners, spoke at two events during the conference. At the first, titled 'Overview of the Civil Construction Sector in the UAE for the Big 5' in partnership with Firjan and the Brazilian Government, Will provided insights into the practice’s current projects in the UAE. He also highlighted collaborative efforts with developers and contractors to improve the supply chain. During the second event for the UAE / UK Business Council, the panel discussed the role of regulation on the retrofitting market and its importance to ensure the UAE 2050 vision.

Delegates from the practice also presented a lecture titled ‘Sustainable Architecture in a Global Context’ to architecture and sustainable design students from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, followed by a crit of their work.

Notes:

• The Sustainable Buildings Task Force is made up of global CEOs from throughout the buildings industry working together to accelerate the delivery of net zero buildings to reduce carbon emissions.
• The Task Force supports the Sustainable Market Initiative’s mission to speed the world's transition to a sustainable future by engaging and challenging public, private, and philanthropic sectors to bring economic value, in harmony with social and environmental sustainability.
• The Sustainable Markets Initiative was founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020 (as Prince of Wales).
• ‘Decarbonization in the Built Environment: Addressing Embodied Carbon in Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Systems’ report.