The effects of climate change are already evident, and global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced rapidly to ensure a living planet and a sustainable life for future generations. The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to 1.5°C and to enhance the resilience to the effects of climate change. In addition the biodiversity is threatened and the use of the earth’s resources is far beyond its access. Achieving the goals and challenges requires a radical transition and it must happen now!
The Roadmap 2030 focuses on three areas where we have the greatest opportunity to have an effect. In addition, we have identified three initiatives that we, either on our own or with partners, need to develop in order to make the radical shift required. Our immense breadth of competencies and variation of projects give us excellent opportunities to drive change. Our mission is to enable sustainable life through the art of architecture.
This roadmap sets out White’s direction until 2030 for how it will contribute to the transition required in society to achieve national and international climate goals and White’s own vision and goals.
For us, architecture encompasses everything from planning towns, cities and communities through to designing buildings, outdoor environments, interiors and furniture to creating the conditions for people to live and work.
So if all architecture is climate-neutral, what type of society do we want to create?
“A climate-neutral society is like one giant eco-cycle, based on a circular economy with a long-term lifecycle perspective. The built environment is planned to reduce the risk of climate change, to protect human health and to ensure that buildings have net zero or lower carbon emissions.”
Our vision is that by 2030 all our architecture is regenerative and climate neutral through design excellence.
To achieve our vision and contribute to society’s objectives, we have set some clear, measurable goals. The goals go up to 2030 but our vision extends beyond that.
The built environment always contributes to climate impact and the use of natural resources. In the vast majority of cases, therefore, it is best not to consume or build at all. We must therefore drive the development towards a more circular economy. This requires a brand-new approach meaning that we always need to ask ourselves: How can we create something new from what already exists?
The potential to reduce climate impact is greatest in the early planning and design stages. We should therefore always work based on the following four strategies:
Our greatest opportunity to drive change is by focusing on creating Sustainable Living Environments, Circular Architecture and Climate-neutral Design. In order to contribute to a radical shift, we will also invest in developing Processes and Business, Digital Design and Expertise and Innovation.
By focusing on these areas, we also contribute to development in line with Agenda 2030, and especially our most prioritized Sustainable Development Goals:
The transition to a climate-neutral society begins in the early planning, from regional level to detailed plans. Conditions need to be created for renewable energy, sustainable mobility, efficient circular resource flows, climate-neutral construction and service that supports a sustainable lifestyle. The consequences of a changing climate also need to be managed as they pose a risk to both human health and the built environment. Eco-system services play a key role as they contribute both to climate adaptation and to necessary ecological and social values. In addition, an equal society is essential for creating incentives for driving the transition towards improved environment and climate.
Through circular architecture we can drive the transition from a linear to a circular economy. The starting point is to make use of what already exists – be it neighbourhoods, buildings or materials – to create new designs and attractive environments. It is also about creating timeless architecture that evolves over time, using spaces efficiently and using recyclable materials. Circular architecture contributes to significant savings in natural resources and reduction of climate impact, but it also supports preservation and development of social and cultural values.
To reach the climate goals, all construction must drastically reduce its climate impact from both energy and materials. Our goal is to create buildings that are climate-neutral or better by 2030. This means keeping greenhouse gas emissions from materials, energy and construction as low as possible throughout their lifecycle. Emissions are balanced against renewable energy or carbon sequestration so that the sum is net zero or negative. Climate neutrality requires an holistic view with optimised design, careful material choices and local energy solutions, all validated from a lifecycle perspective.
Strong, innovative leadership and new business models are factors for a successful climate transition. Expanded collaboration both within the industry and with other players, together with a willingness to work towards the same goals, is essential. We can drive the design process in new ways, broaden our role and develop new services. Furthermore, we can exert an influence on the construction sector to encourage it to take a long-term economic perspective that values quality, environmental and social values from a lifecycle perspective.
Digital design tools contribute to strong design together with optimised, efficient design based on materials, health, energy and climate. Various analysis and calculations are key for supporting and verifying designs and design choices. Digital tools are essential for increasing the transition towards circular architecture and support new opportunities for collaboration, efficient and climate-assured project planning, tailor-made, material-optimised construction and information for ensuring sustainable building management.
Achieving the climate goals requires expertise, innovation and courage. White Research Lab invests in research, development and innovation that pushes the boundaries of what is possible, makes a difference for environments and people and demonstrates how architecture, design and urban planning contribute to development in line with the sustainable development goals and climate goals. Our key to real change is running development projects together with clients and other stakeholders.
Although the best way for us to reduce climate impact is through our projects, it is important that we practise what we preach and that the emissions of our business are as low as possible. To enable us to reach the 1.5°C goal by 2030 calculations using science-based targets show that we need to halve our emissions by 2030, compared to 2018.
To achieve this, it is necessary to reduce the climate impact of travels and purchases. 94% of all journeys within Sweden are already performed by train, so a challenging goal by 2023 is to increase train travel within Europe as well: half of all journeys will then be made by train.
This presentation of White’s Roadmap 2030 is a short version.
The full version in PDF for desktop view is found here »
and print version here »
Our mission is precise – to enable sustainable life through the art of architecture. Find our more in our Annual & Sustainability Report 2019 here »
