Architects are failing to engage with the UN's drive to reduce carbon emissions with none of the 50 largest firms signed up to its Race to Zero campaign, according to Nigel Topping, the UN's champion for the upcoming COP26 climate conference.
This is despite the fact that the built environment contributes around 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Architecture is one of the least well-represented businesses in the Race to Zero," Topping told Dezeen, referring to the United Nations initiative to get companies to commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Some smaller practices including UK firms Hudson Architects and Paul Vick and US firms Farr Associates and Gelfand Partners Architects signed up, along with multi-disciplinary firms including Arup and AECOM. But Topping said: "By revenue, globally, we don't think that any of the top 50 standalone architectural practices are in the Race to Zero. We are working hard to change this so that when we reach COP26 we can really show ambition within the sector."
Architects in a "unique and important position" to reduce carbon emissions
Architects and designers are in a "unique and important position" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to the influence they can have on buildings and products, Topping said.

"Designers and architects making choices to specify circular, low-carbon and innovative materials on their projects can also act as a huge demand signal to industry, pro...