The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada President Yves Gosselin, FIRAC represented one of 16 of the world’s architectural institutions in the recent signing of the Las Vegas Declaration. The declaration recognizes the great responsibility placed on the architecture profession to do all it can to achieve a major reduction in the level of carbon emissions that result from the creation and life-cycle of the built environment.
"With 30 to 40 percent of all energy being consumed by buildings, it is natural that architects with their understanding of energyefficient building design and also the issues surrounding urban sprawl that results in greater energy consumption and thereby increased emissions, be in a key position to offer creative solutions," said Gosselin. "This declaration is an affirmation of our commitment to do all we can to reduce emissions."
George Ferguson, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), took the lead in drafting a statement that was agreed to by all the presidents. The agreement in its entirety is attached along with the full names of the leaders who signed it. The declaration was signed during The International Presidents’ Forum, a meeting held annually during the AIA National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Las Vegas Declaration
We the undersigned, Presidents of our respective national architectural institutes, agree to give priority to the vital issue of climate change. We recognize the great responsibility that we have as a profession to do all we can to influence a major reduction in the level of carbon emissions from the built environment.
We commit ourselves to setting an example through the careful management of resources within our own organizations and encouraging our members and clients to do so in respect to their projects. We also agree to engage with our respective governments to help influence relevant legislation and fiscal measures to radically reduce the pollution of the earth’s atmosphere and the consequent threat to life and the natural environment.
Douglas L Steidl, FAIA
President, The American Institute of Architects
Yolanda D. Reyes
Chairman, Architects Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA)
Jos Manuel Reachi Mora
Federacion de Colegios de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana (FCARM)
Gabriel Durand-Hollis, FAIA
President, Panamerican Federation of Architects Associations (FPAA)
Francisco Mndez Ugalde
President, Costa Rica Institute of Architects (CACR)
Yoshiaki Ogura
President, Japan Institute of Architects (JIA)
Seok Woo Yoon
President, Korean Institute of Architects (KIA)
Yael Kinsky, AIA
President, The Israeli Association of Independent Architects (IAIA)
Robert Nation, FRAIA
President, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)
Yves Gosselin, FRAIC
President, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
George Ferguson
President, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Endorsed by:
Jose Luis Cortes
Vice President Region III, The Americas, International Union of Architects (UIA)
Louise Cox, LFRAIA
Vice President Region IV, Asia and Oceania, International Union of Architects (UIA)
Frank M. Guillot, AIA
President, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Robert A. Odermatt, FAIA
President, National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
Rafael Longoria
President, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
The RAIC is a voluntary national association established in 1907 as the voice for architecture and its practice in Canada. Representing more than 3,200 architects, the RAIC provides the national framework for the development and recognition of architectural excellence.