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 respective events in Madrid. It is also represented at the UK Pavilion demonstrating sustainable and green innovations at the event.

Applying the manifesto’s principles to its own operations, Foster + Partners has been purchasing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources for the past three years. In addition to this, the practice is also fully offsetting its annual global carbon emissions associated with transport (airline and vehicular), as well as those associated with heating and waste from its London campus."

Of course, Foster + Partners is not the only firm taking a step towards responsible approaches to mitigating carbon emissions and sustainable practices. 

The international initiative Architects Declare has also encouraged hundreds of architects and designers to join in the commitment for better and more sustainable design practices. 

However, the growing efforts on the part of countries and practitioners located outside the U.S. to eliminate carbon emissions has only highlighted the leadership vacuum resulting from America's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.