{"id":4661,"date":"2014-08-09T10:25:48","date_gmt":"2014-08-09T00:25:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.architecture.com.au\/news-media\/?p=4661"},"modified":"2016-05-30T15:50:12","modified_gmt":"2016-05-30T05:50:12","slug":"uia-durban-declaration-2050-imperative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.architecture.com.au\/news-media\/uia-durban-declaration-2050-imperative\/","title":{"rendered":"UIA Durban Declaration 2050 Imperative"},"content":{"rendered":"

UIA World Congress, Durban 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

DECLARATION 2050 IMPERATIVE<\/h2>\n

Recalling the Chicago Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Future (18-21 June 1993) which recognised our ecological interdependence with the whole natural environment and committing to place environmental and social sustainability at the core of our practice and professional responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Also recognising the importance of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals process to achieve a sustainable future; in particular, supporting a stand-alone goal to ‘make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’.<\/p>\n

Recalling the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference that will reconvene in Paris in 2015 with the goal of reaching a new agreement on phasing out CO2 emissions from worldwide power and industrial sectors by 2050, and all GHG emissions from energy systems by the second half of the 21st century.<\/p>\n

Recognising that urban areas are responsible for over 70% of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, mostly from buildings. Over the next two decades, an area roughly equal to 60% of the total building stock of the world is projected to be built and rebuilt in urban areas worldwide. 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.<\/p>\n

We recognise our responsibility to seize this unique opportunity 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 liveable buildings and communities.<\/p>\n

By adopting the 2050 IMPERATIVE at the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress in Durban, the UIA and its member organisations and partners will send a strong message to the Parties of the UNFCCC, and to the world, that we are committed to a truly sustainable and equitable future.<\/p>\n

The UIA is acutely aware that failing to act now on climate change will put future generations and those already affected by extreme weather, natural disasters, and poverty, at great risk.<\/p>\n

Recognising the architect’s central role in planning and designing the built environment, and the need to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and provide equal access to shelter, we commit to promote the following actions:<\/p>\n