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Architects challenged to play their part in tackling Climate Emergency
Architects in Ireland called on to take urgent action to tackle the climate emergency as they gather in Dublin and online for the RIAI Conference, the largest gathering in the architectural calendar.
The conference called on all architects and the wider construction industry to step up and play their part in tackling the current climate emergency. The RIAI has asked members to sign up to its ‘2030 Climate Challenge’ - a climate change initiative which encourages the profession and wider construction industry to achieve net zero whole life carbon for all new and retrofitted buildings by 2030.
The role architects can play in fighting climate change and how architects view the Government’s 'Housing for All’ plan were just two of the themes discussed at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Conference.
The RIAI presented their industry view on 'Housing for All’ to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien who was in attendance. The conference also heard ideas around the creation of sustainable communities in our cities and towns and developing innovative models for housing was explored by a range of Irish and international experts.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien is greeted by Kathryn Meghen, CEO of the RIAI and Ciaran O’Connor, President of the RIAI at the opening of the RIAI Conference in Dublin. Photo Conor Healy.
Addressing the opening session of the RIAI Annual Conference, Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “I welcome the ambition outlined in the RIAI Climate Challenge 2030 which sets out very progressive targets to 2030, to deliver the significant reductions in carbon emissions needed to meet our overall climate goals, and support Ireland’s ambitious plans to decarbonise our built environment. The Construction Industry has a key role to play in providing leadership and education in the Climate Change Transition, whilst supporting our Housing for All targets.
Ciaran O’Connor, President of the RIAI said: “The RIAI is delighted to host our 2021 Annual Conference in Dublin today and hear from our members and expert speakers on a range of important topics. Our members are at the forefront of delivering on the ambitious plans set out by Government in creating sustainable communities and in tackling the current housing crisis. Those speaking at today’s conference will bring best-practice thinking to how we should design and create our cities, towns and houses to deliver the most sustainable future for all. I look forward to hearing the ideas that are shared and to RIAI members continuing to bring innovative approaches to addressing societal and economic issues.”
Speaking about the RIAI’s 2030 Climate Challenge initiative Kathryn Meghen, CEO of the RIAI said: “Our profession, like many others is facing huge challenges. Today we are proud to tackle one of these in particular by calling on all architects in Ireland to take up our 2030 Climate Challenge. The current climate emergency is the biggest challenge to face our planet, our people and our industry and we need urgent action and leadership by architects and the wider construction industry.
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. The RIAI is 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 targets. As professionals we have solutions, and we want to play our part in addressing this emergency by collectively rising to this challenge.”
The conference heard from Claire McManus, MRIAI, who outlined the industry response to Housing for All, Dublin, Wednesday, November 3: “Architects in Ireland will today be called on to take urgent action to tackle the climate emergency as they gather in Dublin and online for the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Annual Conference, the largest gathering in the architectural calendar.
In order to support Government in creating more sustainable communities we will outline today a number of ways we can ensure this. We are calling on Government to measure the holistic costs of urban sprawl and incentivise sustainable housing accordingly. We need to measure the benefits of adapting existing buildings to preserve their cultural, societal and historical value.
We want to see the running of architectural design competitions to provide innovative answers to practical issues and ensure that the public are engaged and can participate in design that impacts them. We are at our best when we are co-designing and co-creating.
“We also want to work with our colleagues in the construction industry to ensure we are preserving our traditional trades and maintaining small scale circular economies. We believe in the importance of an Architect for every municipality who will be tasked with developing a vision statement for our villages, towns and cities to ensure we are planning our future with quality in mind.”