On October 27th-29th, 2021, the Royal Institute of British Architects, with Architecture 2030 and Architects Declare, will host a Built Environment Summit at the home of the RIBA in central London. The live event will be webcast to a worldwide audience.

The built environment’s contribution to achieving zero global carbon emissions by 2040 is critical. Right now our buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of the world’s carbon emissions. And when accounting for the carbon embodied in all associated infrastructure, that figure is substantially higher. Our industry is taking significant action to work within the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit above pre-industrial levels. By showing what is possible, we will embolden governments to do the same.

Backed by Royal Institute of British Architects, Architecture 2030 and Architects Declare, and supported by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and American Institute of Architects, we are a coalition of over 100,000 (and growing) architecture, planning, engineering and construction professionals across the world.

We’re calling on the world’s governments to provide the necessary support and legislation to accelerate the systemic change in our industry to stay within the 1.5°C carbon budget. We will build consensus for a declaration across 2021, culminating in its final debate and ratification at the Built Environment Summit in London, the week before COP26. Then at COP26 in Glasgow, we will serve our declaration to the governments of the world to call for the change our collective future demands. The Declaration will affirm the industry’s continued commitment to rapidly reduce its carbon emissions, and that now is the time for Governments to set targets in line with the remaining 1.5oC aligned global carbon budget.