Common Carbon Metric: A Common Carbon Language for All

Leading green building organizations have reached a ground-breaking agreement to adopt a common global language for the measurement of the carbon footprint of buildings.

Just weeks ahead of COP15 in Copenhagen, this is a critical and timely step that will enable the world to realise the unparalleled, cost-effective carbon mitigation potential of buildings, which account for around 40% of the world's energy use and 33% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The "common carbon metric" will be piloted by the leading green building rating tools, and made available to all those who are dedicated to promoting the understanding and development of a green, low-carbon and sustainable built environment.

The metric is recognised by the UNEP Sustainable Building and Climate Initiative, and will be highlighted before decision-makers at the conference in Copenhagen in December.

"UNEP is delighted to represent the importance of this work in Copenhagen through its Sustainable Building & Climate Initiative to support the critical role of buildings in reducing carbon emissions.

Common metrics are the keys to consistent measurement and reporting of performance - opening the door for flexible mechanisms and entry into the carbon market," said Donna McIntire, Program Officer for Buildings and Climate Change, the UNEP Sustainable Building and Climate Initiative (SBCI).