RIAI Research and Policy: Climate Change

RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - An Architect's Guide

The RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - An Architect’s Guide supports the Architect's understanding of the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge with greater detail. The guide explains the reasons and benefits of signing up to the Climate Challenge, what a Client's responsibilities are, how the targets apply to projects and provides useful guidance, tools and resources to help a practice work towards the targets.

Published: October 2023

RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - A Domestic Client's Guide

The RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - A Domestic Client's Guide is a short guide aimed at domestic clients to introduce the Climate Challenge or provide information where they may already be interested in the challenge. This guide explains the reasons and benefits of embedding the Climate Challenge targets into a project and the steps involved in doing so.

Published: October 2023

RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - A Non-Domestic Client's Guide

The RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - A Non-Domestic Client's Guide is a short guide aimed at non-domestic clients to introduce the Climate Challenge or provide information where they may already be interested in the challenge. This guide explains the reasons and benefits of embedding the Climate Challenge targets into a project and the steps involved in doing so.

Published: October 2023

RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge

We are in the midst of a climate emergency which is the biggest challenge to face our planet, our people and our industry.

We need urgent action and leadership by architects and the wider construction industry. As professionals we have solutions, and we want to play our part in addressing this emergency and to collectively rise to this challenge.

The task is urgent and we need to work immediately to reduce our carbon emissions in order to limit the devastating impacts of global warming.

We are encouraging architects and our colleagues in construction to take the RIAI Climate Challenge, to evaluate the way they currently design and to make the necessary changes needed to meet the reductions and targets outlined in this document.

The Climate Challenge document was originally developed by the RIBA. With kind permission, this Climate Challenge document was adapted for Ireland by the RIAI.

Published: October 2021

RIAI Guide: Sustainable Design Pathways

The RIAI Guide: Sustainable Design Pathways is intended to educate and inform architects and other construction professionals, including surveyors, planners and engineers, on the key areas that must be addressed in built environment design and development to combat climate crisis.

Additionally, the document details actions that will help achieve emissions reduction targets outlined in the recent Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, published by the Irish Government. 

Published: April 2021

RIAI Policy - Sustainability for the Current Global Environmental Crisis

This policy is set in the context of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. Architecture interacts with each of the 17 goals, through realised buildings, settlements and cities all over the world. The RIAI has made commitments to place the UN Sustainable Development goals at the core of architectural practice and sets out clear and measurable objectives for both the RIAI and practicing Architects to become industry leaders in developing a sustainable future for all.

Published: September 2019