Key targets August 2002 - December 2002:
o 50 international organisations join GABS
o Specific deliverables noted below
o GABS representation at 6 events hosted by GABS member organisations (promoting membership of GABS and the outcomes from WSSD)
Key targets January 2003 - December 2003:
o 100 international organisations signed-up to GABS
o specific deliverables noted below
o GABS representation at 24 events hosted by GABS member organisations (promoting GABS membership, outcomes of WSSD, guidance publications and examples of good practice for sustainable development
Specific deliverables:
o Global Alliance - Launched 29th August 2002
The Global Alliance for Building Sustainability will be formally launched on 29th August 2002 by Dr Klaus Töpfer. By signing up to a charter/memorandum of understanding, the group will formally commit to achieving sustainable development in land, property, construction and development.
o Business Plan and Work programme - Launched 30th August 2002
A work programme for GABS is being developed and will be agreed and launched at the Aspiration and Reality: Building Sustainability conference 30th August 2002
o Global Alliance Charter - signed by members 30th August 2002
GABS members are signing up to a Charter of Action, with shared mission and goals.
o Guidance and Tool Kit for Sustainable Development - Completed May 2003
This Tool Kit will provide guidance on the key issues, actions and ways of measuring achievement. It will cover 4 themes relevant to policy makers and practitioners:
o Policy, regulation and fiscal measures
o Governance and accountability
o Practical measures, core values and professional practice
o Research, innovation, education and training
The outputs will be practical and transferable across sectors.
o Compendium of Best Practice Case Studies in Sustainable Development
o 1st edition Completed December 2002
o 2nd Edition (updated with new case studies) December 2005.
This document will be based on the projects featured in the show case exhibition, part of the Global Alliance Launch event and also the case study projects used to illustrate aspects of the conference programme. Case studies will cover examples of policy development and good practice in land, property, construction and development.
o Web Site re-designed and re-launched - by 30th August 2002
o Triennial conference - by end 2005
A conference will be held at the end of the first 3 year programme of work to report on progress, launch the 2nd edition of the Compendium and set targets for the next programme of work
Expected Results from GABS:
o In 3 years - to close the gap between policy and practice
o Increased awareness and understanding amongst member organisations and their memberships of the key global issues and how they relate to policy and practice in each of the sectors
o A global resource for the United Nations and other international and governmental agencies to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development policies
o Increased awareness and understanding of what is being achieved throughout the sectors represented
o Wider accessibility to leading policy and implementation practices - by joining together in this Alliance organizations will have easier access to information, guidance and implementation tools created by other member organizations
o Accelerated learning for less experienced stakeholders
o A global resource, promoting and enhancing skills, knowledge and technology for sustainable development throughout the sectors

The Global Alliance has met several times. It has consolidated its signatories and has presented itself to several global events. The Alliance has produced a draft strategy plan and is working towards a business plan. It is continuing to attract signatories and support, across all its sectors of operation. The major thrust of activity is to raise sufficient funds for its wider brief. Full details are available via the web site, www.earth-summit.net
All partners have signed up and many more joined, including more elements of the UN itself. The full listing is too long for a short report please refer to
www.earth-summit.net/associates.net
The main concern is funding: other than that, the partnership is progressing remarkably well.

* Project Direction - Alan Gilham, Sustainability Advisor, RICS Foundation is currently leading the development activities.
* Steering committee - A GABS steering committee will be established at the inaugural meeting of GABS in Johannesburg and will be consulted on strategic issues and governance. Meetings will take place annually to report and review progress, strategic planning and setting of performance targets. Steering committee meetings will coincide with events hosted by GABS members.
* Executive management team - The RICS Foundation has provided the secretariat and management services required so far. An executive management team will be established at the Inaugural meeting of GABS in Johannesburg with responsibility for delivering the business plan and work programme.
* Communication - There is already a dedicated web site www.earth-summit.net hosted and managed by the RICS Foundation. This will be established as the primary communications hub, adapted for use by all GABS members after the launch in August featuring regular bulletins, articles and news of all events hosted by GABS members.
* Coordinated events - Many events are already planned by GABS members in their country or region of origin. One of the key objectives for GABS is to ensure the effective exchange of information, technology knowledge and skills amongst policy makers and practitioners and this will be achieved through structured exchanges at these events.
Structure:
Steering Committee
* Responsible for Governance and business targets
Executive (Project Director or equivilent)
* Responsible for Executive function
* Implementation of corporate governance
* Implementation of business objectives
* Reporting including:
* Monthly newsletter posted on web site
* Quarterly review of activities posted on web site
* Annual review of work programme and targets
* Annual review and reports to international organizations and funding agencies
Membership
* Responsible for supporting the Executive and Steering Committee in executing good governance and business objectives

* Expert groups will be formed to carry out project or topic specific roles. (For example there are already 3 expert task groups: Carbon/Energy; Land Reform and Urban Sustainability )

GABS is developing an agenda of action that will help deliver the shared vision through a programme of activities beyond the WSSD. This agenda embraces issues of:
* Scale from site and locally based action to national, regional and global actions
* Output from components and products to buildings, facilities, infrastructure links and whole cities
* Process including policy and regulation, governance and accountability, tools and codes of practice, research, innovation, education and training

Amount in US$: 280000

Source(s): Government - Private sector - Foundations / charities - IGO - NGO
Costs of mobilizing the Global Alliance including the inaugural meeting of GABS at the WSSD amount to approximately £200,000 (US$ 280,000). Funding has been received through:
o Cash donations from Global Alliance members
o In-kind donations of resources to carry out key functions (management staff, administration, marketing, communications, mailing, etc - The RICS Foundation have been the major contributor, allocating almost £80,000 of resources for project direction, management, web site design and publicity)
o Commercial sponsorship

Required Amount in US$: not specified

Source(s) already approached: Further support is required for this mobilization phase and applications for support are being made to:
o National governments (UK, Nigeria, Canada)
o International organizations and financial institutions (for example - UNEP, DBSA)
o Private sector (for example - Carillion plc, Vinci plc, Skanska, ARUP)
As part of a structured development plan, approaches are planned to:
o International organizations and financial institutions (including UN and Commonwealth associations)
o European Commission
o Government departments
o Commercial sponsors
Currently, a range of funding options is being explored as part of the business planning exercise. A full plan will be submitted and agreed at the inaugural GABS meeting 28th, 29th, 30th August