The Airing Architectures Dirty Laundry Series: #01 GREENWASHING

The science is clear on the construction industry, it's one of the biggest polluters and contributors to climate destruction. There is more and more of a push for projects, practices and the whole built environment to be sustainable, but even a term such as that can make the industry's path to real change unclear. With 'Sustainable' being used to describe everything from stuck-on solar panels, net-zero airports to open-plan offices, good and bad intentions can easily blur and the planet is no better off for it.

That's where questions, and more often accusations, of Greenwashing come in. Though grassroots organisations, community groups, press and commentators on social media can see through marketing speak, without regulation developers can use cosmetic green credentials to secure tenants and sail through planning, an architect can proudly cycle to MIPIM to pick up emissions heavy work and a glass skyscraper can be awarded a BREEAM rating and everyone pats themselves on the back with little to no consequences.

How can we really tackle the climate emergency in a way that makes the difference needed? What model should we use to judge a buildings success? Who loses out from ineffective Greenwashing?

Featuring:

Maria Smith, Buro Happold

Angela Dapper, Grimshaw

Sabrina Syed, Arch designer & writer

Joe Giddings, Architects Climate Action Network

amongst others….