U.S., Dec. 4 -- Helsinki, Finland and Vallodolid, Spain have signed the WorldGBC's Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, alongside property sector leaders BuroHappold, Carbon Credentials, Deerns, Grimshaw Architects, Grosvenor Group, Newsec Finland and Ylva.

By signing the Commitment, the cities and companies pledge to reach net zero emissions for their own buildings by 2030, and cities pledge that all buildings in their cities will meet the target by 2050. Several signatories including Helsinki have announced their intention to get there even faster, with buildings playing a central role in the city's goal to be entirely carbon-neutral by 2035, one of the world's most ambitious city climate targets.

Jan Vapaavuori, Mayor of Helsinki, s...