Statements of Support
We have had huge support for our Building Blocks manifesto from across the industry.
On 12th March 2024 we held a Parliamentary launch, supported by economist and writer Kate Raworth and writer, designer and broadcaster Kevin McCloud, amongst many others. Kate and Kevin were both keen to discuss with AD Steering Group member Anna Woodeson the ideas behind Building Blocks, the role of the built environment in tackling our climate and biodiversity emergency, the key policies for government and the opportunities for architects and others.
You can see the results of their chat below, and read a selection of the many statements of support we have had from across the industry.
If you're interested in adding yours, show your Support for the Building Blocks here.
Economist and writer Kate Raworth, talks to AD at the Building Blocks Parliamentary Launch
12 March, 2024
"(The Building Blocks Manifesto) contains the distilled knowledge of many experts in an admirably clear and concise way, drawing on what has been shown to work, taking a holistic view, that considers society and how to address this for a just transition.
We are the generations alive today that can meaningfully tackle the climate and ecological emergency. It can be done, it’s just a government ambition gap that needs attention right now."
Sue Riddlestone
Chief Executive
“I was particularly pleased to see Climate Literacy highlighted as one of the foundations for success. If we are not developing green knowledge and skills, we are not preparing people to operate effectively in a world that will need those skills, and a jobs market that is going to demand them.”
Amanda Williams
Head of Environmental Sustainability
British designer, writer and broadcaster Kevin McCloud, MBE, talks to AD at the Building Blocks Parliamentary Launch
12 March, 2024
"We are in a period of inaction on climate and ecological emergencies. Since the formation of Architects Declare in 2019, the construction industry has offered many practical solutions to create a regenerative and just built environment – but these have not been incorporated into national policy.
The construction industry now requires true climate leadership by a government that embraces far-reaching system changes and implements them at a national scale."
Julia Barfield
Founding Director
Marks Barfield Architects and Architects Declare Steering Group
“It’s great to see such a clear set of early adoption policy asks from Architects Declare, including a repeat of the ongoing industry call for embodied carbon regulation in the UK.
This mirrors the messaging in the cross-industry policy paper that was launched by the IStructE and 10 other organisations in January, and responds to the 200+ statements of support from industry held at the Part Z website.”
Will Arnold
Head of Climate Action
"This is the culmination of a year’s work engaging with construction industry leaders and Architects Declare signatories to identify the most important and impactful policies to accelerate and support efforts to respond to the climate and biodiversity polycrisis.
We call on MPs to embed these policies in their manifestos, to ensure that the UK benefits from opportunities connected to the circular economy transition, regenerative placemaking and the low carbon sector.
We believe with the right political backing it is possible to turn a climate catastrophe into a climate opportunity."
Zoe Watson
Head of Environmental Sustainability
Allies and Morrison and Architects Declare Steering Group
"It is clear to me that the construction industry decarbonisation movement is currently being led from the bottom up.
This trend must be turned with the nation's government taking hold of the reigns to drive from the top down through policy towards a more circular economy concentrated on whole life decarbonisation of its industries."
Valeska Pack
Industry Researcher: Stadia towards net zero whole life carbon
Populous Architects with Cardiff University WSA