COP31 Presidency launches Antalya Compact for Energy Efficient Buildings
COP31 PRESIDENCY LAUNCHES ANTALYA COMPACT TO ACCELERATE ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS DRIVEN BY ELECTRIFICATION
- The Antalya Compact for Energy Efficient Buildings drives action on two COP31 Presidency’s Global Targets for 2035.
- The Compact is open for endorsement by all Parties and provides a common framework for governments and stakeholders to accelerate progress towards pursuing a 25% reduction in the operational energy intensity of the global building stock and accelerating electrification in support of 35-by-35.
- The Compact identifies six priority areas for action, spanning electrification, national strategies, building performance, renovation, energy-system flexibility, and the finance and capacity needed for implementation at scale.
Antalya, Türkiye, 29 October 2026: Today, the COP31 Presidency has launched the Antalya Compact for Energy Efficient Buildings, a new framework to advance two of COP31’s Global Targets for 2035: pursuing a 25% reduction in the operational energy intensity of the global building stock relative to 2020 levels, and accelerating efficient electrification in buildings in support of 35-by-35 – the Presidency’s target to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035.
Developed under the leadership of the COP31 Presidency of Türkiye, with support from the secretariat of the UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the Compact is open for endorsement by all Parties and sets out actions that governments, cities, financial institutions and buildings-sector stakeholders can take to support progress towards these targets.
According to UNEP’s Global Status Report on Buildings and Construction, buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon emissions and energy demand. Improving energy efficiency and expanding electrification are therefore critical to reducing emissions from the sector.
The Antalya Compact builds on the Déclaration de Chaillot, endorsed by over 70 countries in 2024, which recognises that the transition to near-zero-emission and resilient buildings must also promote affordability, comfort, health, energy security and a just transition. The Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) was established later that year to support implementation of the Declaration and strengthen intergovernmental cooperation on buildings and climate.
COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change for the Republic of Türkiye, said:
“Buildings are at the heart of our cities and of the energy transition. With the Antalya Compact, we are moving from ambition to implementation – accelerating practical action to make buildings more efficient, resilient and sustainable around the world.
By improving energy efficiency and accelerating electrification, we can lower energy costs, strengthen energy security and deliver homes, schools, hospitals and workplaces that are more affordable, comfortable and healthy. This is the kind of tangible progress that COP31 is designed to advance.”
Six Action Areas
The Compact is open for endorsement by all Parties and stakeholders to accelerate progress, while recognising that countries will pursue different pathways according to their starting points, national circumstances and capacities. The ICBC Ministerial Meeting on Buildings and Climate on 12 November 2026, during COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, will also provide an opportunity for Parties to endorse the Compact and build momentum behind its implementation.
The six areas cover integrating energy efficiency and electrification into national strategies; strengthening the energy performance of new and existing buildings; accelerating building renovation; reducing energy demand and electrifying heating, cooling, cooking and appliances; increasing building flexibility to support energy systems; and mobilising finance and capacity to deliver implementation at scale.
Measures range from stronger energy codes and renovation programmes to investment in social housing, schools, hospitals and other public infrastructure, helping cut energy costs, improve services and protect vulnerable communities.
Yves-Laurent Sapoval, co-chair of the GlobalABC, said:
"Half of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have yet to be built and most existing buildings need to be renovated. The choices we make today will shape our cities and communities for decades to come. But the transition to energy-efficient buildings is about much more than reducing emissions. It is about homes people can afford to heat and cool, schools where children can learn comfortably, and hospitals that can deliver essential services without wasting energy.
As Chair of the ICBC, France looks forward to convening ministers and partners during the Second ICBC Ministerial meeting at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye to discuss the Antalya Compact and the objectives it sets out. Through its engagement with 70 member and observer countries, the ICBC is providing the technical expertise, evidence and international cooperation needed to help turn these ambitions into action — delivering buildings that are more affordable, healthier and resilient.”
Find out more at: Antalya Compact for Energy Efficient Buildings
Sign on at: Invitation to Participate in the Antalya Compact for Energy Efficient Buildings
For more information please contact: bep@csb.gov.tr
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Six Action Areas:
- Put building energy efficiency and electrification at the centre of national strategies as complementary priorities
- Promote high energy-and-carbon-performance buildings
- Accelerate renovation of existing buildings
- Reduce demand and electrify heating and cooling systems, cooking and appliances while promoting the integration of zero- and low-emission energy solutions in buildings
- Improve actual performance and enable buildings to become flexible assets for energy systems
- Mobilise finance, markets and implementation capacity
About the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC):
Founded at COP21, hosted by UNEP and with over 400 members, including 71 countries, the GlobalABC is the leading global platform for all built environment stakeholders committed to a common vision: A zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector.
Document and background
Download the press release (PDF, English)
COP31 Action Agenda priority: Climate-Resilient Cities.
