“Achieving true sustainability requires finding solutions that not only promote economic growth but also ensure environmental preservation and address social impacts. Although we have made significant progress, we have not yet fully achieved this delicate balance. That is why innovation remains critical.”_C.M.O. been the MicroBuild Fund, a $100 million initiative focused on financial services for affordable housing. It leveraged over $1.2 billion in capital across 33 countries, benefiting nearly 250,000 households. The real success lies in the 10-to-1 leverage ratio(1): our $100 million attracted additional investments from financial institutions who saw affordable housing as a profitable business. As a result, affordable housing finance has expanded significantly, and institutions are now continuing these efforts, recognizing the sector as viable even without our funding. This marks a clear transformation in the industry. What factors are key to scaling these innovative solutions? C. M.O.: One of the key drivers of innovation for sustainable construction is probably certification systems. At one point, we needed clarity on terms like “high-performance building” – what did that really mean? Certification systems have played a key role in setting these standards globally, considering not just the impact of buildings on users but also their broader effect on communities. This shift has driven major progress in many regions globally. In South America, for instance, the green building movement gained traction through the private sector, which saw the need for buildings that perform better in operation. These buildings reduce resource consumption, particularly energy and water, while also enhancing productivity and improving the well-being of their occupants. Scaling up sustainable construction innovations also involves policy development. Recent initiatives, such as the Buildings Breakthrough, bring together experts to help governments create practical roadmaps for achieving their sustainability goals. Without these financial incentives, it would be difficult to achieve widespread adoption. (1) A financial leverage mechanism where each dollar invested generates 10 dollars of additional investment. 10
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