1.5°C COP26 Side Event

The Architecture 2030 and ASHRAE official COP26 Side Event took place at COP (UN Climate Change Conference) in Glasgow on November 10th, featuring the 1.5°C COP26 Communiqué and select signatory organizations. The event set the tone for the Cities, Regions & Built Environment Day at COP26 on November 11th, demonstrating that the leading building industry professionals and organizations across the globe are ready and united in their commitment to achieving 1.5°C actions.

Panelist representatives at the COP26 Side Event: Architecture 2030; ASHRAE; American Institute of Architects; Royal Institute of British Architects; Australian Institute of Architects; International Federation of Landscape Architects; Climate Heritage Network (Courtesy Architecture 2030).

Highlights from this important event:

Edward Mazria, Founder and CEO, Architecture 2030

We are ready and walking the talk. If we move forward together, we can easily keep 1.5°C alive in the building sector.

Ginger Scoggins, Treasurer, ASHRAE

We are advancing solutions to address climate change. We recognize the role of buildings in this challenge.

Peter Exley, President, American Institute of Architects

Our collective success to achieve the 1.5°C carbon budget is a matter of commitment and a matter of scale. We need everyone. Not just the giants in the industry.

Alan Vallance, Chief Executive, Royal Institute of British Architects

The case for action is clear. We have a pivotal role to play. The built environment is a system – only systemwide collaboration will produce the results we need.

Caroline Pidcock, Member of The Climate Action + Sustainability Taskforce Group and Chair of the AIA Environment Design Guide Advisory Group, Australian Institute of Architects

Leadership doesn’t follow. Leadership doesn’t ask for permission to do what needs to happen. All of us in our industry should understand they are part of the solution. We are the leaders.

Kotchakorn Voraakhom, Climate Change Working Group Chair, International Federation of Landscape Architects

Climate justice is part of our work. Working with vulnerable communities is important. We don’t want to leave those communities behind.

Carl Elefante, International Steering Committee, Climate Heritage Network

The importance of arts and culture and heritage in these conversations is enormous. It is a multiplier. It helps us understand that many perspectives are needed to achieve these carbon goals.

In case you missed the live stream of the event: