Architects Worldwide Agree to Zero-Carbon Buildings By 2050

The 2050 Imperative was drafted by the organization Architecture 2030, promoter of the 2030 Challenge, which commits signatories to work toward net-zero-energy buildings in the U.S. Now with the architecture councils of Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa all agreeing to sign on to a global version, more than 1.3 million architects in 124 countries will have aligned goals. According to a recent presentation by 2030 Challenge founder, Ed Mazria, FAIA, the 2050 target could be achieved by implementing the 2030 Challenge worldwide for new buildings while reducing fossil-fuel consumption 50% in 2% to 3% of developed nations’ existing building stock annually.

While UIA members are not committed to taking that exact approach—detailed more specifically in the report “Roadmap to Zero Emissions”—they did commit to the principle of engaging in research and setting targets toward the 2050 goal. The Imperative states, “Our responsibility is to influence ethical and socially responsible development throughout the world: to plan and design sustainable, resilient, carbon-neutral and healthy built environments that protect and enhance natural resources and wildlife habitats, provide clean air and water, generate onsite renewable energy, and advance more livable buildings and communities.”

The declaration will be presented at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference, which has a similar aim to phase out CO₂ emissions from the power and industrial sectors by 2050.

For more information:

Architecture 2030

architecture2030.org/enews