Latin American Ministers Resolve to Promote Sustainable Building

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Latin American and Caribbean environmental ministers resolved to promote sustainable building practices in their region during a forum in January.

Their decision, which was proposed and promoted by the Mexican government, has in part been influenced by UNEP-SBCI’s activities in the region. It may help facilitate future UNEP-SBCI initiatives in the region, as well as open doors for projects by other sustainable building agencies.

The decision emphasizes sustainable housing and calls for policy solutions including a long-term regional strategy, awareness programs, incentive implementation and risk assessments for disaster-prone areas.

In addition to recognizing the importance of green building practices with respect to environmental conservation, the resolution also notes the potential of sustainable building to improve the quality of life of the region’s citizens.

The forum was organized by the government of the Dominican Republic through the State Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources and the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/ROLAC). Authorities from twenty-eight countries attended, as well as representatives from intergovernmental and United Nations agencies.