Sixty of the world's largest architecture, engineering and construction companies, as well as some of the most important architectural organizations, have signed the 1.5oC COP26 communiqué. Here are some of the companies and organizations that have jointly signed this press release: the International Union of Architects (UIA), the American Institute of Architects, RIBA, BIG, Arup, Perkins & Will, SOM, Studio Gang, Gensler… etc.
Here is a free translation of this press release:
''We are sub-national organizations, businesses and governments responsible for planning, designing, building and developing the built environment globally.
We are taking concrete actions, which fully leverage our ability to make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions to maintain a minimum 67% chance of meeting the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target , to reduce emissions from 400 to 340 GTCO2, i.e. a reduction in emissions of 50 to 65% by 2030 and zero CO2 emissions by 2040.
The built environment is the largest source of carbon emissions globally, with buildings responsible for around 40%, and when taking into account the carbon sequestered inside buildings, systems and infrastructure associated with it, this percentage is considerably higher. Our professions and industries are transforming and taking significant steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change. By showing what is possible, we encourage others to do the same.
We call on all sovereign governments to increase their Nationally Determined Contributions and 2030 emission reduction targets to limit global warming in line with the remaining global carbon footprint of 1.5°C. ''
Governments must imperatively understand the importance of the impact that our infrastructures have on our environment and on the warming of our planet. They must implement laws and codes that promote efficient and quality construction. Every dollar saved at the expense of a building's environmental performance is a dollar spent on climate change. For their part, schools of architecture and engineering must consider environmental aspects as a central element of their teaching. Not to do so borders on irresponsible. And we, as construction professionals, should feel more than concerned by all the discussions that revolve on the periphery of COP26, we have a central role to play, let's not underestimate it.
