12 Do you have examples of significant initiatives, in terms of collaboration between cities? I.S.: In September 2022, New York City introduced a clean construction executive order which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry by 2033 – one of the best executive orders in the world. New York did this because it was inspired by other cities, notably Los Angeles and San Francisco. After talking to them, learning what they were doing, they adapted it to their own state framework. Other cities, like Rio de Janeiro, last year purchased power for municipal assets from renewables because they had seen other cities do it and were able to follow that approach. In Melbourne, retrofit programs are also inspired by other cities. How do you see the role of international collaboration amongst stakeholders in the transition towards sustainable construction practices? I.S.: The building infrastructure sector is complex, global, and fragmented. No single actor can achieve the scale and pace of the transition required. Stakeholder engagement is essential, including unions. We develop policies, while workers deliver change. They need to be at the table to ensure their rights and decent salaries, because we cannot do this without them. C40 is also a founding member of the BuildingToCOP coalition, an initiative that brings together leaders from the entire value chain, to put the built environment at the forefront of international climate dialogue. What are the most effective solutions to help cities transition to sustainable construction practices? I.S.: There’s no one solution, but there are principles that can be universally applied, like prioritizing existing assets and reusing materials at the end of their life cycle. We need to plan, build, and design for the future. You cannot build here in Greece and neglect rising temperatures “Collaboration is key. Using an exclusive approach for industry, workers, and the community can help deliver the sustainable construction we all want.”
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