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ABOUT THE COMMITMENT

The International Federation of Landscape Architects’ (IFLA)’ Climate Action Commitment is a collaborative commitment by 77 international membership organisations and co-authored by IFLA members and the IFLA Climate Change Working Group. It has been created to promote the sector’s critical role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, support the Built Environment Communique for COP26 and to ensure landscape architects have a leading voice in climate action decision making.

We ask that you help promote the Commitment leading up to and during COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 31 - Nov. 12 to embolden the world’s governments to commit to meeting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5oC target.

More information available here:

[1] COP26 

[2] IPCC Global Warming Report

[3] The COP26 Built Environment Communique

[4] The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

[5] IFLA World Congress  

The climate crisis is escalating
The 2021 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported on the looming crisis in global warming, and the resultant impacts it will have on environments and communities throughout our world.  IFLA believes that the key to solving the climate crisis is vested in the reduction of emissions, in the resilience and transformation of human society and in the sustainability of the natural environment.

Landscape architects deliver climate solutions at scales that matter
Landscape architects are uniquely qualified to help prevent catastrophic global environmental and societal breakdown. Through planning, design and management, our work protects and repairs global ecosystems; fosters human health, well-being and happiness; cools the environment and draws down atmospheric carbon.

Landscapes include complex, interactive systems that provide a wide range of goods and services. With 70% of global populations living in cities by 2050, holistic landscape interventions are critical to transformation and sustainability.

As a creative discipline we bring expertise on Nature-based Solutions, technological innovation, and strategic thinking that deliver for nature and people. We accelerate city afforestation to sequester carbon, generate urban biodiversity, and protect cities from extreme heat – a growing threat to human survival. Beyond urban environments, we work at all scales: global, regional, local, and human, to strengthen, protect and enhance the wider functional ecosystems. We amplify biodiversity and societal prosperity, fostering resilient communities better prepared for a changing climate. Landscape architects connect people to nature and to each other to fulfil our deepest human needs.

IFLA is issuing a Call to Action
Society needs new approaches to decision-making, progressive policies, and a universal commitment to innovative ideas. In support of sovereign governments accelerating their Nationally Determined Contributions we call on our peers and allied professions to help strengthen our actions through interdisciplinary collaboration. With sustained private and public sectors investment in transformative landscape projects, we can achieve the scale of renewal and restoration required.

As a global profession, we commit to:
 
Advancing the United Nation sustainable development goals
Through each of the 77 nations represented by the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), landscape architects within our member associations accelerate our work to repair global ecosystems.

Attaining global net zero carbon emissions by 2040
We will dramatically reduce operational and embodied carbon emissions produced by our work, harness the unique capacity of landscapes to draw down carbon dioxide, and advocate for clean and multi-modal transport systems.

Enhancing capacity and resilience of livable cities and communities
Implementing green infrastructure approaches, landscape architects will work to mitigate urban heat island effect, and reduce the risks associated with fire, drought, and flood.

Advocating for climate justice and social wellbeing
Landscape architects will increase support for equity and equality, food security and the right to clean water and happiness for all.

Learning from cultural knowledge systems
We commit to respecting and working with indigenous cultural land management knowledge to mitigate climate change impacts and continue work towards reconciliation.

Galvanising Climate Leadership
Landscape architects are uniquely placed to galvanize and lead a built environment response to this crisis. We will continue to collaborate with clients, suppliers, and allied professions to champion climate positive design.

We are Commited to action!
Click here to see which organisations along with the NZILA have formally ratified the Climate Action Commitment and are working to advance these statements through reduction of their carbon emissions, protection of natural environments, and innovative changes to planning and design.