Green Building Principles: The Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings

The World Economic Forum and JLL have developed the Green Building Principles to provide a common roadmap for real estate portfolios to reach net-zero carbon. The framework emphasizes a hierarchy of action: first maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy (both on-site and off-site) and reducing embodied carbon in new developments, and only then using high-quality carbon removals to offset residual emissions. The plan sets a target of reducing emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieving full net-zero by 2050. It also addresses the 'split incentive' between building owners and tenants through proposed engagement plans, green leases, and internal carbon pricing mechanisms.

• The built environment is a major contributor to global warming, with buildings accounting for 38% of energy-related emissions, split between 28% from operational emissions and 10% from materials and construction.
• The Green Building Principles establish a specific timeline for decarbonization, urging companies to reduce building-related emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon portfolios no later than 2050.
• Net-zero carbon is distinguished from carbon neutrality by a stricter requirement to maximize all reduction options before offsetting, and a preference for carbon removals (which remove carbon from the atmosphere) over emissions reduction offsets (which prevent new emissions).
• Embodied carbon—emissions from raw material extraction, transport, construction, and demolition—is estimated to represent nearly 50% of the total carbon footprint for new construction between now and 2050.
• To ensure renewable energy procurement is effective, the report advocates for 'additionality' (creating new renewable capacity that would not otherwise exist) and 'exclusivity' (guaranteeing the energy comes directly from a renewable source).
• High-quality carbon offsets must meet four specific criteria to avoid 'greenwashing': additionality, no unintended consequences (socioeconomic or biodiversity), transparency (verified and public), and permanence (minimized risk of re-release).
• To resolve the 'split incentive' where owners pay for upgrades but tenants receive the energy savings, the report recommends using proactive engagement plans, green leases, and internal carbon pricing (such as shadow pricing or carbon fees).

APA

World Economic Forum (2021). Green Building Principles: The Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Green_Building_Principles_2021.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Green Building Principles: The Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings. 2021. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Green_Building_Principles_2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Green Building Principles: The Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings |date=October 2021 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Green_Building_Principles_2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2021green, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Green Building Principles: The Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Green_Building_Principles_2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }