Tanya Cox from Australia has been appointed as chair of the World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) Board of Directors for a two-year term. 

The WorldGBC brings together Green Building Councils and international sustainability leaders from across 70 countries to accelerate the transformation of the built environment and help deliver on commitments under the Paris Agreement to decarbonise the sector by 2050.

Tanya Cox is a former chair and current director of the GBCA Board and a non-executive director of various ASX listed and unlisted boards.

Cox over the position of chair from Canada’s Lisa Bate and is only the second Australian to serve in this global sustainability leadership position.

“WorldGBC has brought together a member base that is the strongest local-regional-global action network for the built environment,” says Cox.

“2020 marks the first year of WorldGBC’s new three-year strategy. Having worked closely on its development, I am delighted to have the opportunity with my fellow directors, members and the WorldGBC team to now help lead its implementation.”

“Transforming our built environment to achieve net zero emissions requires unified, collective action. Our new strategy sets out clear pathways around three core impact areas to achieve this outcome.”

“There are now 96 global signatories to the WorldGBC’s Advancing Net Zero commitment, which has experienced an almost doubling of support in the past twelve months,” she says.

“The added benefits that sustainable buildings deliver to human health and wellbeing have never been more important. Despite current challenges, we will continue to deepen our collaboration, knowledge sharing and advocacy, while celebrating the significant successes of our members in working towards a more resilient and sustainable future.”

Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council says: “Tanya has been a true champion of sustainability and has worked tirelessly to position best practice in the building and construction industry as a central solution to face climate change, health and environmental crises.

Image: Supplied