Climate Change Policy

CIAT recognises that global warming is an issue of significant importance for the 21st Century and beyond and is committed to proactively combating climate change as an organisation, through its members and indirectly through its members’ clients and end users. CIAT and its members operate within an industry that creates up to 50% of carbon emissions in the UK and thus CIAT has an obligation to work to redress this and is in a unique position to do so.

The fact is that the climate is changing and CIAT will endeavour to mitigate this situation where possible.

CIAT will work to challenge climate change by:

1. Taking measures to reduce the energy consumption, carbon emissions and waste produced by CIAT HQ at City Road to enable it to reduce its carbon footprint and work towards becoming a carbon neutral building.
2. Off-setting its carbon emissions but only after all carbon-reducing methods have been implemented, as a measure of last resort through an accredited carbon off-setting scheme.
3. Encouraging staff and visitors to CIAT HQ, regions and centres to reduce their energy consumption when travelling, through increased use of public transport, car sharing and increasing the number of virtual meetings where possible through web/video conferencing.
4. Continually raising awareness and actively promoting CIAT’s policy on climate change via Architectural Technology magazine, the website, workshops, and other media.
5. Encouraging its members to work in such a way that ensures the impact on the climate is minimised, in particular by
   - taking measures to reduce their energy consumption, carbon emissions and waste produced by their place of work
   - reducing their energy consumption when travelling, through increased use of public transport, car sharing and increasing the number of virtual meetings where possible through web/video conferencing
   - providing improved and innovative designs and design solutions that utilise best practice technologies, materials and processes
   - supporting suppliers and contractors who act in a responsible manner and maintain sound environmental practices
   - acting in the best interests of local communities and interested parties on environmental issues and respect the general environment in and around projects
   - supporting the development and use of renewable energy.
6. Enabling members to educate their own clients and end users in the use of sustainable resources.
7. Remaining alert to new opportunities and technologies in terms of climate change.