Statement from Habitat for Humanity International Chief Operating Officer Patrick Canagasingham on the joint declaration for the Buildings and Climate Global Forum
PARIS (March 8, 2024) — This week, at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris, governments signed on to endorse a Déclaration de Chaillot, or common declaration, outlining common principles and cooperation framework for global efforts to achieve decarbonisation and climate change resilience in the buildings sector.
“We are encouraged to see the inclusion of adequate and affordable housing in the Déclaration de Chaillot, and the recognition that the decarbonization and resilience of our built environment is fundamental to a climate-secure future,” said Patrick Canagasingham, chief operating officer, Habitat for Humanity International. “Governments need to do more to address the housing and climate crises together and protect the most vulnerable families, who already bear the biggest brunt of climate change.”
To this end, Habitat for Humanity continues to urge governments – including signatories to Déclaration de Chaillot – to prioritize:
- Locally led adaptation actions that directly addresses the needs of the most vulnerable communities, while protecting ecosystems.
- Household-level mitigation solutions that are affordable and accessible for families, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas.
- Housing and urban settlement transformation to achieve inclusive climate action and resilience for, by and with vulnerable communities.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.