Reporting on CIB W115 Achieving Circularity in the Built Environment Progress and Update
Run by: Achieving Circularity in the Built Environment Commission, The International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB W115)
Speakers:
Description:
The W115 Commission has been renamed from Construction Material Stewardship to Achieving Circularity in the Built Environment, with the change officially approved by the CIB Board in May 2025. Two new joint coordinators, Professor Holger Wallbaum and Dr Maud Lanai, have joined the existing joint coordinator, Professor Tayyab Maqsood. The Commission’s updated aims and objectives are available at:
https://cibworld.org/cib-commissions/w115-achieving-circularity-in-the-built-environment/. The Commission’s work is structured across six sub-programmes:
As CIB is a partner of SBE2026, we would like to take this opportunity to present a progress update on W115’s activities, including an overview of research undertaken within each sub-programme. Additionally, we will extend an invitation for interested and relevant stakeholders to join the W115 Commission.
Localisation, DRR & Earthquake Recovery
Run by: RMIT, WWF, EMI World, Humanitarian Advisory Group
Speakers:
Description:
Compound Panel Discussion and Crisis Simulation: Two months into recovery efforts following devastating floods, participants are confronted with a second disaster: a major earthquake strikes the already fragile city of Floodsville. Led my an expert practitioner panel, and through live simulation and hands-on rebuilding activities, this immersive session explores how to conduct assessments following cascading disasters, “build back better” principles, disaster risk reduction, and the role of business and local actors in creating resilient recovery systems.
Net-Zero Buildings by 2050: What Will It Really Take?
Run by: Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN)
Speakers:
Description:
The purpose of this session is to: (i) Create a provocative and collaborative space for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to explore what will actually be required to achieve net-zero buildings by 2050. (ii) Encourage systems-level thinking about the political, institutional, economic, and social dynamics shaping decarbonisation pathways. (iii) Surface practitioner perspectives, implementation challenges, and overlooked trade-offs in current net-zero strategies. (iv) Generate discussion on whether current Global Status Report indicators adequately capture real-world barriers, drivers, and systemic risks. (v) Facilitating informal peer exchange and cross-sector learning between participants from different regions and disciplines.
Meeting Point: Registration Desk (Level 1, MCEC)
End Point: Federation Square
Experience Melbourne’s sustainable evolution through our curated site visits. Designed specifically for WSBE26 delegates, the route highlights impactful urban projects, from Southbank’s innovative green facades to carbon-neutral designs in the CBD.
This guided walk offers a practical look at Melbourne’s sustainability goals in action, providing a relaxed setting to see key sites first hand while networking with fellow delegates.
Essential information: https://www.wsbe26.org/site-visits