The Royal Institute of British Architects has declared a state of climate emergency, committing to a five-year plan of action for climate change.

The decision to formally acknowledge the role that architects have in causing climate change and alleviating it was made at a council meeting of the RIBA.

Hurricane Irma (Image: Jo Pegram-Mills)

Hurricane Irma (Image: Jo Pegram-Mills)

“The climate emergency is the biggest challenge facing our planet and our profession,” said RIBA president Ben Derbyshire.

“But to have a significant impact we need to do more than make symbolic statements – we need to turn warm words into impactful actions.”

Architects must “transform” their practice

The five year plan aims to make sustainable practices standard within the British architecture industry, improve government policy by lobbying and reduce the RIBA’s own carbon footprint.

The RIBA also pledged to support the UK government’s drive to make the country carbon neutral by 2050.

Read more: Dezeen