RIBA declares climate emergency and commits to action plan
Trustees of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has formally agreed to join the global declaration of an environment and climate emergency. The Institute also pledged to support the government’s 2050 net zero emissions target.
RIBA president Ben Derbyshire, says: “The climate emergency is the biggest challenge facing our planet and our profession. But to have significant impact, we need to do more than make symbolic statements – we have to turn warm words into impactful actions.”
The RIBA Ethics and Sustainable Development Action Plan includes measurable actions to support a net zero carbon built environment. It will drive change at a national and international level in industry standards and practice.
Next steps will include implementation of a five-year detailed action plan to embed sustainable industry standards and practice and to use RIBA’s influence to improve government policy and regulation.
Gary Clark, chair of the RIBA Sustainable Futures Group says: “The Group welcomes the RIBA Council decision to declare a climate emergency. This is an important first step that formally recognises the scale and urgency of climate change and that as architects we have an obligation to demonstrate leadership for a sustainable future. Now the hard work starts – we only have 11 years to agree and implement a net zero carbon trajectory for new and retrofitted buildings and infrastructure.”
Picture credit: iStock / kutaytanir
