Last month hundreds of UK-based architecture firms signed a pledge to address climate change and now Australia is following suit with its own commitment to change.

Bates Smart, Woods Bagot, Breathe Architecture and Kerstin Thompson Architects are among the 33 founding signatories on Architects Declare Australia, which is a declaration of  “a climate and biodiversity emergency.”

As in the UK, Architects Declare Australia is calling on registered architects to sign the declaration acknowledging that “the twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss are the most serious issues of our time”.

Architect and Architects Declare Australia spokesperson Caroline Pidcock says responding to climate change requires the work of all architects throughout the country.

“Challenging times demand strong responses… a group of Australia’s acclaimed architects are putting up their hands to be instrumental in creating the future we need. We hope many more practices and individuals will follow their lead,” she says.

All signatories of the declaration commit to raising awareness of the climate and biodiversity emergencies and the urgent need for action amongst clients and supply chains. They also advocate for faster change in the industry towards regenerative design practices and a higher Governmental funding priority to support this.

Two weeks after the launch of Architects Declare in the UK, the American Institute of Architects members voted for a Resolution for Urgent and Sustained Climate Action. One month later, RIBA declared an Environment and Climate Emergency.

To sign the declaration, practices or individuals must be registered with the Architects’ Board in the relevant state or territory and must provide the email address for their CEO or other senior officer for verification before the practice name is added to the declaration.

Australian architects can sign up to the declaration here: www.architectsdeclare.com.au