The world is struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change and there is a clear need for us all to look at  sustainability.  Sustainable Housing is an area which will have a significant impact on the resources and energy used for our housing, since dwellings are one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions and consumers of energy and water. Unfit housing also puts at risk our health and safety.

The UNECE is addressing these emerging challenges, whilst also strengthening the housing sector and contributing to sustainable development throughout the region. As one approach, the Committee has established a Working Group on a Possible Framework Convention on Sustainable Housing, to see if we can bring countries together to pool expertise and information on good practices in this area and to assess the possibility of developing a legal framework in support of this goal.