CIBSE’s Technical Director, Dr. Anastasia Mylona, represented CIBSE at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where she contributed to global conversations on climate change and sustainability. Dr. Mylona was invited to speak at the 'Sustainable Cooling in a Warming World,' event hosted by the UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in the Blue Zone UK Pavilion, where she highlighted the urgent challenges facing the building industry in its race to achieve net-zero and decarbonisation targets.
The event was also attended by Kerry McCarthy MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Climate), who took part in the discussion on advancing climate action and sustainable practices across sectors.
In her speech, Dr. Mylona emphasised that while the building industry has made strides towards decarbonisation, it must also adapt to the climate impacts that are already occurring and those we anticipate in the future. She pointed out that even if net-zero emissions were achieved immediately, the climate would continue to change for several decades, with rising temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events.
One of the major challenges for the building industry, Dr. Mylona noted, is how to meet the growing demand for cooling in the coming years. She stressed that reducing this demand through passive measures should be a priority in building design, construction and operation. In the UK, regulatory requirements, such as Part O of the Building Regulations, have already introduced the need to assess overheating in new homes. This involves applying passive solutions, such as improved natural ventilation and shading, to mitigate the risk of overheating.
Dr. Mylona explained that new homes are assessed for both current and future climates, using a methodology developed by CIBSE, based on the UK Climate Projections. This ensures that homes are resilient to both current conditions and the anticipated impacts of climate change.
Looking further into the future, when passive cooling measures may no longer suffice to keep buildings cool, Dr. Mylona called for sustainable cooling methods powered by green energy. These methods, she argued, are essential in avoiding further increases in carbon emissions and ensuring the resilience of buildings in a warming world.
She concluded her remarks by urging engineers, the building industry, and policymakers to align their decarbonisation efforts with the future-proofing of the built environment. Dr. Mylona stressed the importance of assessing the climate risks and vulnerabilities of buildings and their occupants, and how addressing these risks is critical in adapting to the unavoidable changes in the climate. She also advocated for prioritising passive cooling strategies and sustainable cooling systems that would be effective both now and in the future.
Dr Mylona, also actively participated in the Ministerial Roundtable on delivering the Global Cooling Pledge, proudly representing CIBSE at COP29. The Pledge, launched at COP28, has united over 70 signatories committed to reducing cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2050, enhancing energy efficiency by 50% by 2030, and expanding access to sustainable cooling technologies. The roundtable addressed critical progress, gaps, and next steps, including integrating cooling into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), improving monitoring systems, and addressing capacity-building needs. Dr. Mylona contributed to discussions that will shape the roadmap for future cooling initiatives, ensuring continued progress toward these ambitious global goals ahead of COP30.
Dr. Mylona’s participation at COP29 highlighted not only her expertise but also CIBSE’s powerful global voice in shaping the future of sustainable building practices. As a leading advocate for climate resilience and decarbonisation in the built environment, CIBSE is playing a pivotal role in driving the global conversation on climate action. Through its influence and thought leadership, CIBSE is ensuring that the voices of engineers, designers and policymakers are heard on the world stage, empowering the built environment to adapt to the changing climate and accelerate the transition to a net-zero future.
CIBSE’s involvement in COP29 reaffirmed its position as a key player in the global push for a sustainable and resilient built environment.
You can watch the full session below: