The Australian Institute of Architects recognises that climate change is the biggest crisis facing our communities, our country and indeed, our planet and that urgent action is required.
The Institute is working across multiple fronts to advocate for and achieve net zero carbon emissions in the built environment by 2030.
We’re challenging government to urgently implement broader policies to bring about whole-scale change to ensure Australia fulfills its Paris Agreement commitment.
On 9 September, we signed the NoCo2 Certification Program Agreement with the Carbon Reduction Institute, which means the Institute is now carbon neutral.
We’re also running a campaign to encourage our more than 12,000 members to do the same.
The Taskforce is committed to supporting the Institute and the architectural profession in a decisive and active stance with regard to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Read their proposal for De-carbonising the construction industry by 2030.
The climate crisis has never been more urgent. The latest IPCC report labelled this “humanity’s code red”.
How we respond to this code red is critical.
With the built environment accounting for almost 40% of all carbon emissions globally, architects must take a leadership role in the race to net zero.
The Institute’s Climate Action and Sustainability Taskforce (CAST) hosted the Climate Action Forum in September 2021 to share our progress so far on multiple fronts and to hear from international experts and local politicians.
As a profession, we need to map out our plan of action for what architects can and should be doing – and championing – to protect our planet.
Discussions related to sustainability and regenerative design in the architectural context and beyond.
Join the conversation on the member forum.
When: Tuesday, 28 September 2021
Time: 1pm AEST, 12.30pm ACST, 11am AWST
Where: FREE YouTube Livestream
The climate crisis has never been more urgent. The latest IPCC report labelled this “humanity’s code red”.
How we respond to this code red is critical.
With the built environment accounting for almost 40 per cent of all carbon emissions globally, architects must take a leadership role in the race to net zero.
We invite you to join the Institute’s Climate Action and Sustainability Taskforce (CAST) to hear of our progress so far on multiple fronts and to hear from international experts and local politicians for this very timely half-day forum.
As a profession, we need to map out our plan of action for what architects can and should be doing – and championing – to protect our planet.
The twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss are the most serious issue of our time.
The Institute is committed to doing everything we can to advocate for stronger policies and a paradigm shift in behaviours to better protect our planet, now and into the future.
Part of this commitment is to ensure that as an organisation we become carbon neutral.
We are encouraging you, our 12,000 members, to do the same.
This dedicated page contains all the resources and information you need to join the more than 200 practices who have already started on the carbon neutral journey.
Vivienne Hinschen and Ben Peake from Carter Williamson met with the Australian Institute of Architects to talk about the studio’s carbon neutral journey, supporting cleaner power, local ecologies and projects led by First Nations peoples.
Core Collective Architects have taken their practice carbon neutral. Associate, Emily Ouston sat down with the Australian Institute of Architects to chat about in-house auditing, sustainable specifying and the power of collegiate knowledge-sharing.
Director, Eva-Marie describes the rewarding process of taking her studio carbon neutral and how it represents a key step in providing care and respect for Country.
Going carbon neutral is just so easy to implement. Sometimes with environmental urgency, people become overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. But if you run a business, this is really one of the simplest things you can do. We just want everyone to know that going carbon neutral isn’t hard and it makes a huge impact. Breathe Director of Sustainability, Bonnie Herring.
Because each individual’s activities are tied to it, our carbon neutral certification has reminded the whole team about the power of everyday choices. It’s a tip of the iceberg kind of thing that makes us all realise that there are so many decisions we make as architects where we can have a more positive impact. Going carbon neutral creates a framework to think about those things and provides a responsive structure to track our progress year on year.
Kennedy Nolan are certified carbon neutral. Director of Architecture, Victoria Reeves sat down with the Australian Institute of Architects to discuss carbon neutral certification with a view to tackling more complex, and exciting, sustainability challenges.
Working towards carbon neutral helped our decisions and has shaped an attitude in our studio that is less about dollar value and more about long-term impact. For us, being carbon neutral is about operating in a way that reflects our values. The time and the effort involved is very small compared to the benefit of doing it. Stephanie Bullock, Director, Kosloff Architecture.
Going carbon neutral was a surprisingly easy process and has been really positive for us. It’s enhanced the culture of our office and we now have unified targets around sustainability, which we’re working towards together. Will Fung, Director, CO-AP.
Becoming a carbon neutral practice has allowed us to think more critically about materials and how to make buildings – we’ve become more reflective and investigative. It’s exciting that going carbon neutral encourages this very tangible shift.
David Welsh, Director Welsh + Major.
The Paris Agreement, to which Australia is a signatory, commits countries to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Australia’s buildings generate 23% of Australia’s carbon emissions.
Australia’s building sector can deliver up to 28% of Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target.
Architects are uniquely placed to help lead the transition to a carbon neutral future.
We have called on the Australian Government to establish a national plan towards zero carbon buildings by 2030 that can be supported and led where appropriate by state and local government.
This webpage will provide you with all the information, tools and resources to guide your carbon neutral decision-making and journey.
What do we mean by carbon neutral?
Carbon neutrality means that you have reduced your climate impact to net zero, including through purchasing offsets where required.
The Institute’s Environment publication hosts a database of over 175 peer-reviewed design notes covering sustainability in the built environment.
Read through case studies and design notes covering topics such as place, energy, health and happiness, process, equity, materials and water.
Environment, available on Acumen Practice Notes, is an included benefit for A+, Member level 1, Affiliate Level 1, Graduate and Student members.
Race To Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.
This guide brings together science-based evidence on how the built environment can navigate urgently towards a net-zero carbon future. It builds on past work on strategies for sustainable low carbon design, the increasing cost-effectiveness of both onsite and off-site renewable energy and places it in the context of ‘climate emergency’ thinking to engage built environment professionals in easy to use guidance towards net zero.
We’re providing all architects, regardless of membership, full unrestricted access to the following practice notes from our Acumen platform, and other resources which may be of assistance at this time.
AS 3959:2018, Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas was made available as a free resource last year.
This paper outlines the significance of disasters and post-disaster recovery, highlights the need of designers to harness community skills, emphasises survivor participation in the planning and realisation of their post-disaster environment, and suggests some characteristics of design that may smooth the path to recovery.
This Note outlines the impact of climate change on bushfire conditions in Australia and the ensuing regulatory imperatives for planning and construction within bushfire prone areas. It provides an overview of bushfire attack, the Fire Danger Index, the regulatory framework plus development issues and concerns currently applicable to states and territories
When asked to design a ‘fire bunker’, ‘fire-shelter’, ‘fire refuge’, or the like, it is wise to be extremely careful and risk-averse about what you say in response to such a request, and preferably in writing.
Common risk areas for architects include liability for free advice, partial services, design and documentation without contract administration, contract administration on another architects’ design, certification without full inspection and contract administration, pre-purchase and other inspections, valuations, pro bono services, working in specialist areas, secondment of staff and staff qualifications.
NATSPEC TECHnotes: Bushfire protection DES018
The impact of bushfire on life and property can be reduced with responsible preparation and bushfire management plans.
Architects may provide pro bono services to a range of groups including community groups, through membership of churches, sporting or social clubs and out of a spirit of social compassion for communities in need, such as the victims of a natural disaster.
Common risk areas for architects include liability for free advice, partial services, design and documentation without contract administration, contract administration on another architects’ design, certification without full inspection and contract administration, pre-purchase and other inspections, valuations, pro bono services, working in specialist areas, secondment of staff and staff qualifications.
NATSPEC TECHnotes: Bushfire protection DES018
The impact of bushfire on life and property can be reduced with responsible preparation and bushfire management plans.
The Paris Agreement, to which Australia is a signatory, commits countries to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Australia’s buildings generate 23 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions.
Australia’s building sector can deliver up to 28% of Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target.
Architects are uniquely placed to help lead the transition to a carbon neutral future.
We have called on the Australian Government to establish a national plan towards zero carbon buildings by 2030 that can be supported and led where appropriate by state and local government.
Internationally acclaimed architect and Australian Institute of Architects’ 2022 Gold Medallist, Sean Godsell, will embark on a national speaking tour next month with climate change key to his agenda.
We are disappointed that a long term vision and sense of urgency for the two biggest issues affecting the nation’s built environment – climate change and the housing-affordability crisis – is not shared by all parties.
Our Policy and Advocacy Team have examined the budget papers and summarised the budget initiatives that might be of interest to Institute members.
The Australian Institute of Architects has pledged its full support to the flood recovery efforts and the longer-term challenge of building resilience against the worsening impacts of climate change. As
It is time for Australia to join the leaders of the world who are stepping up to strong targets for emissions reductions – net zero by 2050 and strong targets for 2030. As a country, we need to aspire to improving and aligning with a low emissions future and moving towards achieving carbon neutrality.
The Australian Institute of Architects is joining more than two dozen global built environment peak bodies and over 60 of the largest and most influential building industry firms around the
In September 2021, we signed the NoCo2 Certification Program Agreement with the Carbon Reduction Institute, becoming a carbon neutral organisation.
Measures and new funding to accelerate Australia’s journey down the path to a carbon neutral future were among the most pronounced absences in last week’s ‘big-spending’ Federal Budget. Australian Institute
Jeremy McLeod and Madeline Sewall of Breathe Architecture on sustainability, right-sized housing and building more with less.
Research on low-carbon and zero-emission building design across North America and Europe, published prior to both the devastating bushfires and the pandemic, reinforce the urgency for us to deliver resilient, low-carbon buildings.
The changing profile of architecture. Interview with Ivan Harbour and Avtar Lotay, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
If we look at Greater Melbourne as one interconnected system, with inputs and outputs, it’s expensive to run, it’s high maintenance, and it’s leaving a mess behind for future custodians.
We’ll also reach out to relevant local, state and federal government agencies to work through how and where we can best support those affected. We will keep you updated as these discussions progress. We encourage you to keep up to date on our dedicated website page which we will continue to update once further initiatives are developed.
This is a very distressing time for many in our community. For those experiencing the devastation first hand, for those responding to it, and for those witnessing the heartbreak and damage to the country and the people close to them. It is a time to band together, to support each other and to take extra care of each other’s welfare.
Thank you to all members who are already helping at this time, and thank you to our first responders and our firefighters for their heroic efforts.
Should you require additional support, contact your local Chapter and we can put you in touch with our dedicated confidential Assistance Portal, who can provide counselling and support to those who may be struggling throughout this ongoing crisis.
We will continue to keep you updated and encourage you to seek assistance from colleagues and your local Chapter.
There a number of national and state charities who are currently seeking donations to raise funds to support the victims of the bushfire crisis.
We are calling on our staff around the country to donate a day’s salary to charities including our own Foundation, which will be used to support various post-fire design and rebuild programs across many affected areas.
100% of funds raised to be used in post-fire design and related support efforts throughout the coming months.
