Archinect - News

Inflation Reduction Act is ready to make climate impact on building sector

2022-08-15T12:37:00-04:00

Industry groups are applauding lawmakers after the passage of the Biden Administration’s recently proposed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, pointing to its more than $5 billion in provisions they say are “critical” to enacting climate change-related policies and modernizing transportation infrastructure across the United States.

Once implemented, the bill, officially titled H.R. 5376, will help incentivize the use and development of low-carbon building materials in government buildings as well as provide grants and other forms of funding that will aid in the country’s effort to match CO2 emissions mandates outlined in the Paris Agreement from 2015.

In a statement, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) president Peter Templeton commented that “the Inflation Reduction Act would put in place the most critical and consequential climate policies we have ever seen, and it would do so while reducing energy costs for American families and businesses and shoring up our energy security with a ...

AIA applauds U.S. recommitting to Paris Agreement

2021-01-20T21:09:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects has issued its first statement on a policy decision by newly inaugurated U.S. President, Joe Biden. Publicly sworn in on Capitol Hill earlier today, Biden spent the afternoon signing executive orders, many of which will reinstate environmental regulations reversed under the Trump administration.

One of the key orders signed today recommits the United States to the Paris Agreement, an international climate treaty adopted in 2015 during the Obama administration. Then President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement two years later.

AIA President Peter Exley, FAIA issued this statement today in response to Biden's recommitment:

"We are deeply encouraged by this Administration’s swift and decisive action on climate change. Re-establishing the United States’ commitment to the Paris climate accord sends a strong message to our nation and the world that we will pursue meaningful changes that can save our planet. As architects, we stand ready...

Foster + Partners publishes a sustainability manifesto at COP25

2019-12-06T18:00:00-05:00

London-based architecture practice Foster + Partners recently announced its goal to "outline a holistic sustainable approach" towards its projects as a way to measure "embodied and operational carbon in each project." Aiming to use their international stature and design prowess to catalyze the awareness and application of sustainable design principles, the firm outlines their commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement below.

"Over the last five years, drawing on the practice’s experience, expertise and in collaboration with others, Foster + Partners has created a unique system that can effectively determine carbon emissions at every project stage. This process gives greater insight into the different aspects that affect the environmental impact of a project and provides tools to mitigate and lower their carbon content.

As part of the COP25, the practice has been invited to present this methodology and tools by UNFCCC, UN Environment and the European Commission at their respectiv...

AIA "deplores the administration's shortsighted decision” on Paris Climate Agreement exit

2019-11-06T23:00:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has issued a rebuke of President Donald Trump's decision to formally withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Earlier this week, the American government initiated its withdrawal from the accord, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announcing that authorities would instead "continue to work with our global partners to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change and prepare for and respond to natural disasters"

According to a statement issued by the AIA, America risks abdicating its leadership role on climate action by abandoning the international climate cooperation pact.

AIA 2019 President William Bates writes, “The AIA deplores the administration's shortsighted decision," adding, "The economic impact to the United States as a participant in the Paris Agreement is a fraction of the toll we will pay if we do not make climate action a top priority as a nation. The stakes couldn’t be higher—a reversal of this decision is critical.”...

America exits Paris Agreement, doubles down on resilience and disaster preparedness

2019-11-05T08:00:00-05:00

The Trump administration has formally notified the United Nations that the U.S. is withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. The withdrawal will be complete this time next year, after a one-year waiting period has elapsed. "We will continue to work with our global partners to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change and prepare for and respond to natural disasters," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Monday.

Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists told NPR, “The reality is, to really deliver on our climate goals, we do need strong federal action," adding, "The unfortunate reality is U.S. carbon emissions actually rose last year."

Air conditioning the outdoors? Qatar is doing it

2019-10-21T13:50:00-04:00

To survive the summer heat, Qatar not only air-conditions its soccer stadiums, but also the outdoors — in markets, along sidewalks, even at outdoor malls so people can window shop with a cool breeze. “If you turn off air conditioners, it will be unbearable. You cannot function effectively,” says Yousef al-Horr, founder of the Gulf Organization for Research and Development.

Want to see the future of climate change? Take a look at Qatar, where average temperatures have already risen by more than 2-degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial times.

View of the Al Wakrah Sports Club, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Image courtesy of Hufton + Crow.

The Washington Post takes a look at how the country is helping its residents real with the stifling heat as preparations get underway for the 2020 World Cup. The story highlights the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Al Wakrah Stadium, a structure that pumps cooled air across spectators' ankles via stylized grilles.

The report also highlight's the nation's ever-growing collection of indoor malls, outdoor air conditioned zones, and other mechanically cooled spaces.

3 Canadian mayors join global leaders in signing net zero carbon buildings pledge

2018-08-24T14:46:00-04:00

Today, 3 Canadian mayors, alongside 16 mayors from around the world, representing 130 million urban citizens, committed to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions from their cities by ensuring that new buildings operate at net zero carbon by 2030 [...] Buildings in urban areas are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and typically account for over half of a total city’s emissions on average. I

Mayors from 19 cities around the world have now signed the Net Zero Buildings Declaration, which also pledges to ensure all buildings will meet net-zero carbon standards by 2050. A net zero building uses energy efficient design by drawing from renewable sources to meet performance needs. These commitments are an essential goal of the Paris Agreement and controlling global temperature rise.

Cities pledged include: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Copenhagen, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Newburyport, Paris, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Monica, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, Tshwane & Washington D.C.

Leaked government draft report finds that U.S. is already impacted by climate change

2017-08-09T14:30:00-04:00

A draft government report on climate says the U.S. is already experiencing the consequences of global warming. The findings sharply contrast with statements by President Trump and some members of his Cabinet, who have sought to downplay the changing climate. The document, which was leaked ahead of publication and reported by The New York Times on Tuesday, says Americans are seeing more heat waves and rainfall as a result of climate change.

The draft report confirms previous assessments that global warming, as observed over the past decades, is indeed caused by human activity, and climate change is already showing affects on the United States' weather and economy.

"That statement is directly at odds with statements from Trump and key Cabinet members," NPR reports. "The head of Trump's Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, has said there is "tremendous disagreement" on the impact humans have had on the climate. And in June, Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from so-called Paris agreement on climate change, which is the main international effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Click here to read the draft of the climate change report in full.

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Releases a Statement Affirming its Responsibility to Combat Climate Change

2017-06-06T13:43:00-04:00

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) proclaimed yesterday its commitment to enforcing measures of sustainability within the Canadian architecture community. The statement was released in support of a letter published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement last week that the United States plans to withdraw from the Paris Agreement initiated to curb climate change.

The RAIC’s statement reads:

“The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) affirms the continued commitment of the Canadian architecture community to designing a more sustainable world and making the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement a reality.

‘Each of us has a responsibility in our work and with our everyday choices to ensure a sustainable future,’ says RAIC President-Elect Michael Cox, FRAIC. ‘The RAIC applauds and whole-heartedly endorses the American Institute of Architects’ commitment to continue to exercise that responsibility.’

The RAIC join...

The US is withdrawing from the Paris Agreement — here's the AIA's response

2017-06-01T18:12:00-04:00

Just a few hours ago, President Donald Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the non-binding Paris Agreement intended to mitigate climate change. The President of the American Institute of Architects Thomas Vonier, FAIA has issued a statement in response, reaffirming its commitment to reducing the (vast) contributions of the built environment to global warming.

Here it is in full:

"The United States must remain a leader in the battle to cease harmful and needless practices that damage the planet and its climate, acting out of both environmental concerns and national economic interests. Instead of helping our economy, as the Administration contends, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement will put us behind our major global competitors.

The AIA will not retreat from its long-established efforts to conserve energy and to deploy renewable resources in buildings. We will continue to lead in efforts to curb the use of fuels and technologies that needlessly pollute our atmos...

Last year was the warmest since (at least) 1880

2016-01-20T13:32:00-05:00

Last year was the Earth's warmest since record-keeping began in 1880, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA said Wednesday. It's been clear for quite some time that 2015 would steal the distinction of the hottest year from 2014, with 10 out of the 12 months last year being the warmest respective months on record -- and those records go back 136 years.

The news that 2015 was the warmest year on record didn't exactly take climate scientist by surprise. But what is startling is by just how much: the average global temperature was 1.62˚F above the 20th century average.

December, in particular, reached new heights of heat, becoming the first month to ever exceed temperature averages by 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to reports, El Niño played a significant role in bringing up temperatures. It's still bearing down on the Western US right now – although not yet dumping enough precipitation to rescue California from its historic drought.

In other weather news, the East Coast is about to receive some heavy snow. Early predictions suggest this could be one of the biggest snowstorms in history.

While unusual and severe weather events comprise perhaps the most visible – and dangerous – effects of global climate change, they have been frequently co-opted by certain American politicians in the last few years to deny the reality of anthropogenic g...

What the Paris Agreement means for architecture

2015-12-18T13:23:00-05:00

Last weekend in the outskirts of Paris, the rap of a green-tipped gavel announced an historically-unprecedented international climate agreement. A sense of accomplishment suffused the crowds gathered locally and the official statements broadcast globally – President Obama called the deal “a turning point for the world” – but it followed some real moments of tension, as years worth of planning for the COP21 nearly came undone in the face of disputed verbiage and policy.

Now, with the details announced, debate continues over the merits of the “Paris Agreement.” But first it should be noted that it won’t be official until at least 55 of the 195 pledge countries have ratified it, with the 55 ratifiers in turn accounting for at least 55% of global emissions. This pretty much necessitates ratification by the US government, whose Congress is currently run by the Republican party, a majority of whom refute mainstream scientific consensus and deny the existence of anthropogenic climate chang...