The Board of Directors at the Canadian Architectural Certification (CACB) recently signed an Equitable Climate Action Commitment formalizing the organization’s responsibility to address climate change mitigation and adaptation through timely and ethical climate planning and action.

This commitment sets a course for this organizational priority, with carbon neutrality and equity as the primary outcomes.

“The climate commitment is only the first step for our national organization,” said CACB President Nathalie Dion. “Future work will involve taking a closer look at our greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) baseline and then implementing a plan to reach our target for zero emissions.”

The CACB is mandated by the Canadian Architectural Licensing authorities and the Canadian Council of University Schools of Architecture to develop, implement, and maintain programs and standards for certification required for the practice of architecture in Canada. The CACB certifies educational qualifications of architectural graduates; accredits professional architecture programs at Canadian universities; certifies qualifications of broadly experienced foreign architects; and conducts research on architectural accreditation.

As a national leader in architecture in Canada, the CACB acknowledges that the architectural profession’s direct influence on the building industry is a significant contributor of GHG emissions and that practitioners must be leaders in climate action. The CACB Board recognizes the ethical and practical implications of climate change and commits to advancing the awareness, education, practice and policies that support Equitable Climate Action.

According to Dion, the CACB hopes to motivate other groups to also create their own climate commitment and action plan.

“Importantly, equitable Climate Action can save time and resources, increase returns on investment, and generate economic, environmental, social, and health co-benefits,” she said. “We see this as an excellent opportunity to work nationally with other architectural organizations, universities, professional groups, levels of government, and the building trades”.

For more information, please download the Canadian Architectural Certification Board Equitable Climate Action Commitment.