SIBCA 2026: Record attendance and new tools for low-carbon real estate

Created in 2022, the Low Carbon Real Estate Show (SIBCA) has surpassed 15.000 visitors for its fifth edition. Co-organized by SIBCA Events and the Association for the Development of Low Carbon Buildings (BBCA), the event brought together developers, planners, architects, manufacturers, investors, engineering firms, and local authorities to discuss the decarbonization of buildings and territories.

The exhibition, held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic and sponsored by climatologist Jean Jouzel, also received a visit from Vincent Jeanbrun, Minister of Housing.

Attendance up by 20%

According to the organizers' report, 15.257 professionals attended SIBCA 2026, compared to approximately 12.700 at the previous edition. The trade show hosted nearly 200 exhibitors, 522 speakers, 194 conferences and presentations, as well as 38 associations, federations, partners, and sponsors.

The event also brought together 203 journalists and 48 media partners. This growth comes at a time when the real estate market continues to face a difficult economic environment, marked in particular by a decline in new construction and financial constraints weighing on transactions.

“What I take away from this edition is the confirmation of our unique character: we are not a trade show like any other, but a cultural exchange, where people come to truly meet, unfiltered, the visionaries, the trendsetters, and all the players who are driving change. Our strength lies in our clear and assertive positioning: low carbon, responsible real estate, health and well-being, driven by the responsibility of an entire sector. This year again, we saw stakeholders committing further than ever before. It is also a trade show that anticipates: we supported the launch of innovative tools to help the sector anticipate the risks associated with climate change. That is precisely our raison d'être: to inspire people to go further, together,” explains Férielle Deriche, director of SIBCA.

Climate adaptation and resilience take center stage

The discussions were not limited to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Adapting buildings to the effects of climate change, water management, biodiversity, land conservation, and resource use were also important topics in the program.

The Sustainable Real Estate Observatory (OID) has notably published a document dedicated to climate resilience, structured around six levers: carbon mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity, water, soils and resource sobriety.

According to data presented at the event, the building sector uses 50% of the world's raw materials. In France, insured losses related to climate events averaged €5,6 billion per year between 2020 and 2024, compared to €1,5 billion in the 1980s.

A charter of commitment for adaptation has also brought together some twenty signatories, including BNP Paribas Real Estate, Bouygues Immobilier, and CBRE. The first Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions Award was also presented during the trade show.

Circular economy, health and summer comfort

For the first time, the circular economy had its own dedicated pavilion, supported by the Greater Paris Metropolitan Area and organized in partnership with Ekopolis. A charter bringing together scientists, builders, developers, and architects was presented there to promote the development of common practices.

The health and well-being of occupants also emerged as cross-cutting themes. Quality of spaces, thermal comfort, and the health consequences of construction choices were addressed in addition to carbon indicators.

Summer comfort has notably prompted Cogedim to present a strategy that includes the widespread installation of what it describes as responsible air conditioning in its new apartments. This approach will combine bioclimatic design, material selection, and cooling equipment.

In the digital field, The Climate Company presented UCIX Standard, an application designed to assess and anticipate the climate risks to which different types of real estate assets are exposed.

An opening towards European issues

SIBCA hosted a session organized with the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme. The presentation of the global report on the state of buildings and construction provided an opportunity to put French initiatives into perspective within the international trajectory for decarbonizing the sector.

At the opening of the Investors Summit, researcher François Gemenne stressed the need to scale up actions at the building and city level.

Jean Jouzel, for his part, pointed out that "solutions to achieve carbon neutrality exist. They are well documented, but difficult to implement, or even impossible in the absence of international solidarity."

The BBCA-certified park continues its progress

At the BBCA 2026 Awards, the association announced that it has recorded 7,1 million square meters of labeled buildings, delivered or in the process of being processed in France and Europe since 2016. This volume has increased by 15% over one year.

The portfolio now represents 960 operations, of all types, an increase of 22% compared to 2025. Fifteen project owners were distinguished in the 2026 ranking, including Nexity, WO2, Icade, Gecina, Altarea Cogedim and Bouygues Immobilier.

The Grand Prix awards notably recognized the Stellata residence in Rueil-Malmaison, the Paris Dareau residence, the Marcadet Belvédère mixed operation, the IMMSIDE restructuring in Paris and the Seine Parisii district in Cormeilles-en-Parisis.

“This fifth edition of SIBCA is a real success. The decarbonization of the city and buildings, explicitly including the reduction of emissions, adaptation to the effects of climate change and the resulting positive impacts, such as in terms of health, remains a major societal challenge but has also become an economic and financial strategy that works. France is at the forefront and this is evident at SIBCA,” declares Stanislas Pottier, president of the BBCA Association.

Towards a European observatory for low-carbon real estate

The BBCA Association and the Low Carbon Prescribers Hub took advantage of the trade fair to sign, in the presence of the Minister of Housing, a partnership concerning the creation of a European observatory for low carbon real estate.

This future tool will need to track the progress of decarbonization in France and Europe, as well as measure the contribution of the various levers used by real estate stakeholders. The stated objective is to have data available to guide strategies and accelerate the sector's transformation.

Training future low-carbon building professionals

Skills transfer was another focus of this edition. The Talents Afternoon welcomed over 800 students, job seekers, and professionals undergoing career transitions, who came to meet recruiters, schools, and training organizations.

In total, 33 partner institutions participated in this session dedicated to the professions and skills needed for the environmental transformation of real estate.

The sixth edition of SIBCA is scheduled from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd September 2027.