Local materials to house the world through eco-friendly, low-carbon construction

The networking event, Local Materials to House the World through Eco-Friendly and Low-Carbon Construction, aims to highlight innovative, inclusive and environmentally responsible solutions that accelerate access to decent housing while reducing the carbon footprint of the housing sector. Chaired by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development of Cameroon, this session will bring together institutional, technical, financial and community actors committed to promoting sustainable construction models that respond to the growing challenges of urban resilience. The session will focus on four main topics: 1. Policy framework and national guidelines: presentation of reforms, standards and strategies to support the transition to low-carbon building materials and technologies. 2. Technical solutions and local innovations: highlighting proven construction techniques (stabilised earth, bio-based materials, circular economy) and their advantages in terms of cost, thermal performance and emissions reduction. 3. Financing models and partnerships for sustainable housing: exploration of investment mechanisms tailored to low- and middle-income households and community initiatives. 4. Role of communities and civil society: testimonials on citizen mobilisation, youth training, women's inclusion and the co-creation of resilient housing solutions. Presentations will come from around the world (the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia) and will be followed by an interactive discussion, allowing participants to share their experiences, identify synergies and discuss the conditions necessary to scale up low-carbon approaches in different urban contexts. The session will conclude with a strategic overview, highlighting the contribution of low-carbon solutions to climate commitments, reducing urban vulnerabilities and improving the well-being of populations. The conclusion, delivered under the auspices of the session chair, will identify priority areas for action and collaborative commitments to ‘house the world’ in a sustainable, inclusive and resilient manner. A network will be set up to bring these conclusions to the attention of UN-Habitat and Member States.