The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) says its members are prepared to take greater action in regards to climate change, in the wake of the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The AIA describes the Conference as ‘disappointing’ given the lack of progress on the phasing out of fossil fuels. National President Shannon Battison says built environment professionals should take it upon themselves to act.

“Building operations and construction account for about 37 percent of global emissions,” she says.

“As professionals in the built environment, we have a responsibility to develop low or no-emission solutions. And we have to do it now.”

Talks at the Conference revealed the construction sector isn’t on track to achieve decarbonisation by 2050, with raw material use in construction set to double by 2060. Building construction, renovation and demolition created approximately 100 billion tonnes of waste worldwide.

The AIA is welcoming of the Federal Government’s commitment to lower emissions 43 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 in a plan to become net zero by 2050, but says there is more work to be done to ensure global temperatures do not exceed 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels.

The Institute has floated the idea of state governments developing specific construction industry roadmaps for decarbonisation, in line with the UN Environment Program 2022 Global Status Report for Building and Construction recommendations.

Battison was congratulatory of Australia for signing a net zero public sector emissions by 2050 declaration.

“As architects, we recognise our built environment represents a legacy not just for ourselves but for future generations,” she says.

“We are increasingly seeing the outcomes of extreme weather events and harsh environments. Our built environment must be designed sustainably and with resilience.”

Jarrod Reedie

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