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The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan last month, served as a critical platform for global negotiations and strategic planning against the backdrop of escalating climate challenges. Yasemin Kologlu, a senior fellow at Architecture 2030, attended this pivotal summit, accompanied by a robust contingent of virtual delegates. Their collective goal was to drive forward the conversation on sustainable architecture and the broader climate agenda.

In this interview, Kologlu shares her firsthand experiences and insights from COP29. Her reflections offer a unique lens on the dynamics of international climate negotiations, the emerging trends within the building sector, and the essential roles that various stakeholders play in shaping a sustainable future.

Yasemin Koluglu (right), moderated a panel on the power of culture with Claire McQuire (left) and Crystal A. Felima (middle) at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Yasemin Koluglu (right), moderated a panel on the power of culture with Claire McQuire (left) and Crystal A. Felima (middle) at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

What was your biggest takeaway from COP29?

It is clear that climate action has become a big wave -- there is tremendous momentum. There were two ways that this was very clear to me.

First, even in moments when it felt like nations were letting us down with their limited ambition and commitment, it was clear that we reached a point where our fight against climate change continues to expand with actions of subnational governments, private sector, NGOs, institutions and individuals like each one of us reading this.

Second, the building sector is taking more of a center stage especially with the critical actions being defined for the Buildings Breakthrough initiative and the formation of the UN’s Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate.

Why is it important that building practitioners participate in these global dialogues?

Last year we observed a modest reduction in operations and construction related energy demand by around 1% from 2022 levels according to the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR). It is anticipated that numbers from 2024 will show a similar decline. I think this is a compelling indication that our sector might have reached its peak. (Learn more about “peak emissions” here.) I believe that this is a result of our collective action and hard work in the building sector. AEC practitioners play a key role in this equation to turn decarbonization and climate action theories into real projects, policies, and processes. It is also a reminder that we need to continue our collaborations in the industry and beyond.

These sector-wide energy demand-related emissions improvements were modest in part because while emissions intensity reduced, this was offset by the growth in floor area. This is also a reminder for our sector to think carefully about how we build less and build smarter, so that we begin to leverage ideas about sufficiency -- avoiding the demand for energy, materials, land, water, and other natural resources while delivering well-being for all within planetary boundaries -- as a pathway toward accelerating progress on emission reduction targets. For more about sufficiency, check out this COP29 essay by Lisa Richmond, one of my fellow Senior Fellows at Architecture 2030. The idea of sufficiency was also on the main stage of the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion this year.

What is your most meaningful memory of COP29?

At previous COPs, I was accustomed to seeing a more defined distinction between the ambitions, actions, and reactions of developed and developing nations. This year with the new $300B New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, it was the first time that I saw a shared disappointment and frustration in the eyes of delegates that blurred the line between developed and developing world. Perhaps this suggests that we are -- finally -- ready to move on with a more united front.

Can you talk about one or two things that seem wonky but you believe are very important in terms of next steps towards carbonization in the built environment?

Something that continues to surprise me year after year is the limited emphasis on two issues: whole life carbon and culture. Both are critical considerations and carry incredible knowledge for climate mitigation, implementation, and adaptation. We know by now that embodied carbon emissions are as important as operational emissions, and culture represents local wisdom, knowledge and contextual climate change response critical for our progress. Our collective work at Architecture 2030 aims to push these concepts forward not only during COP but also in our everyday practice in the built environment.

Yasemin Kologlu, LEED AP BD+C, RIBA , is a Senior Fellow with Architecture 2030 and a recognized leader in building design and construction, has 20+ years of experience in design and implementation of innovative and net zero energy/carbon buildings, proven expertise in sustainability policy/strategy to generate scalable solutions for net zero carbon developments and businesses. While at SOM for 20 years, she founded and led the firmwide Climate Action Group.

You can read mini essays from Architecture 2030 virtual delegates to COP29 here.