04 March 2020 | Bradford Keen
The IWFM, along with 27 other signatories - including built environment professional bodies the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the UK Green Building Council, the Edge and the University College of Estate Management - have pledged to work together to tackle climate change.
The signatories noted that the built environment contributes to roughly 40 per cent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions and affects natural habitats, biodiversity and the global climate.
The statement says there's "an urgent need for coordinated action to address and mitigate the impact of the built environment on both the climate change and biodiversity 'emergencies'".
To take action, the signatories have set up a Climate Change Panel, convened by the CIC, to enable collaboration between the professional bodies. The panel's primary aims include:
- Reaching net zero-carbon emissions;
- Promoting best practice in carbon reduction, climate resilience and biodiversity protection;
- Encouraging thought leadership to deliver change;
- Creating awareness of education accreditation, membership qualification and CPD development; and
- Offering guidance to mitigate climate change and biodiversity emergencies.
Stephen Hodder, chairman of the CIC, said: "This is the most pressing issue of our time. Those in the built environment have an enormous role to play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing buildings and infrastructure. There is no time to lose and we hope in forming this unprecedented alliance our collective skills, knowledge and influence will drive necessary change."
Read the full statement here.