(Image Credit: Australian Institute of Architects )

The International Union of Architects has unanimously embraced ‘2050 Imperative’ a declaration focusing on the eliminating of carbon dioxide emissions in the environment thereby executing environmental and social sustainability.

The 2050 Imperative, was introduced by Australian Institute of Architects CEO David Parken, was exhibited last Friday at the UIA World Congress in Durban, and perceives the direness of the UIA and its member associations in focusing on a sustainable future.

The Declaration States that:

“Urban areas are responsible for over 70 per cent of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, mostly from buildings, and over the next two decades an area roughly equal to 60 per cent of the world’s total building stock is projected to be built and rebuilt in urban areas,” the declaration states.

“This provides an unprecedented opportunity to reduce fossil fuel CO2 emissions by setting the global building sector on a path to phase out CO2 emissions by 2050.”

“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 on-site renewable energy, and advance more livable buildings and communities.”

The 2050 Imperative, confers member associations to promotion and advancement relating to planning and outline of carbon neutral cities, towns, urban development’s and new structures. The initiative aims at participating in exploration and setting targets towards meeting the 2050 objective.

The 2050 Imperative has ruled down the following actions to provide access to shelter, at the same time committing to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050:

• Plan and design cities, towns, urban developments and new buildings to be carbon neutral, meaning they use no more energy over the course of a year than they produce, or import, from renewable energy sources.
• Renovate and rehabilitate existing cities, towns, urban redevelopments and buildings to be carbon neutral whilst respecting cultural and heritage values.
• In those cases where reaching carbon neutral is not feasible or practical, plan and design cities, towns, urban developments, new buildings and renovations to be highly efficient with the capability to produce, or import, all their energy from renewable energy sources in the future.
• We commit to the principle of engaging in research and setting targets towards meeting the 2050 goal.
• Advocate and promote socially responsible architecture for the community, develop and deliver equitable access to the information and tools needed to:
  • plan and design sustainable, resilient, inclusive and low-carbon/zero carbon built environments.
  • design no-cost/low-cost on-site renewable energy and natural resources systems (e.g., passive heating and cooling, water catchment and storage, solar hot water, daylighting, and natural ventilation systems).

Signatories includes:

UIA – International Union of Architects
ARCASIA – Architects Regional Council Asia
AUA – African Union of Architects
ACE – Architects Council of Europe
FPAA – Federacion Panamericana de Asociaciones de Arquitectos
CAA – Commonwealth Association of Architects
UMAR – Union Mediterraneenne des Architectes
CA – Canberra Accord
UIA Young Architects
CIALP – Conselho Internacional dos Arquitectos de Lingua Portuguesa
DoCoMoMo – Docomomo International
FAU – Foundation des Architectes de I’Urgence
AHA – Active House Alliance
WGBC – World Green Building Council
ICOMOS- International Council on Monuments and Sites

Supporting Organisation:

• Architecture 2030

To view the full declaration, click here.