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Irene Garcia

Irene Garcia | The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance Berlin, Germany
Irene Garcia

Biography

Irene García is the Built Environment Lead for CNCA, with 15+ years of experience working at the intersection of climate, urban transformation and equitable development. She spearheads initiatives aimed at accelerating European cities' transition towards a carbon-neutral future, championing efforts to address embodied carbon and promote the use of bio-based and circular materials in buildings, all while ensuring a just transition towards sustainability. She holds a Master's in Urban Affairs from Sciences Po Paris and a Master's in International Relations from IBEI, and is based in Berlin.

Sessions

13:05h
Thematic Roundtable | HOWS BARCELONA Housing - Building Innovation

Housing and the Climate Transition: From New Build to Deep Retrofit

Christine Lemaitre
Christine Lemaitre Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen - DGNB - German Sustainable Building Council Chief Executive Officer Speaker
Hélène Chartier
Hélène Chartier C40 Cities Senior Director of Climate Solutions l Director of Urban Planning and Design Speaker
Irene Garcia
Irene Garcia The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance Built Environment Lead Speaker
Cristina Mateo Rebollo
Cristina Mateo Rebollo IE School of Architecture and Design Associate Dean Moderator

#Building Retrofit, #Digital Building Innovation, #Energy-efficient renovation, #Housing Quality, #Nature-Based Solutions, #Net Zero Carbon Construction

2026-11-04 13:05 2026-11-04 13:50 Europe/Madrid Housing and the Climate Transition: From New Build to Deep Retrofit

Housing is central to the climate transition, both because of its contribution to emissions and because of the opportunity to improve homes, neighbourhoods, and living conditions. Decarbonising housing requires action on two fronts: embedding net-zero performance in new construction through passive design, low-carbon materials, and integrated energy systems, and retrofitting the vast existing stock that will still be standing in 2050. This conversation will explore technical and policy approaches across both dimensions, asking how to make climate-compatible housing affordable, scalable, and accessible across different income levels.

Stage: HOWS Barcelona
Wed 4
13:05h - 13:50h Stage: HOWS Barcelona All Passes
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