What is ACAN?

An introduction to the Architects Climate Action Network.

The Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN!) exists to address the way our built environment is made, operated and renewed in response to the climate emergency. As a network of individuals, we channel personal energy, expertise and action towards a common goal – the systemic change of our profession and the construction industry as a whole. We see this as a matter of urgency.

Our mission is to mobilise a new movement of built environment activists towards this goal by building an open, supportive and inclusive organisation. ACAN! empowers individuals to proactively seek change and facilitates collective effort through a shared platform built on collaboration.

A Brief History

The seed which became ACAN was planted in April 2019 on Waterloo Bridge, London. After a decade of increasingly alarming predictions by scientists about the impending catastrophe of climate breakdown, set against a backdrop of societal inaction and political obstruction; Extinction Rebellion (XR) had exploded onto the scene – raising public awareness of the crisis and altering the political narrative.

Over that summer a small group of likeminded comrades began meeting in the evenings at public venues around London, to discuss the possibility of a new campaigning group which, inspired by the energy and commitment of XR could push for transformation within the built environment. ACAN launched formally that Autumn, holding an ‘Architects Assembly’ at London’s Building Center.

The electric energy and momentum of the first few in person open meetings soon faced a new challenge of a global pandemic. With the lockdowns taking effect in spring 2020, ACANs meetings and organising shifted online, opening-up the possibility for people across the UK and from around the world to take part in events and meetings. That year ACAN launched a number of campaigns including:regulate embodied carbon, Households Declare and ‘paper planes’ – the latter calling attention to climate-trashing aviation expansion projects.

In the time since, ACAN has run countless events and initiatives; it has been a vehicle for many individuals to find confidence, support and community, as well as an outlet for frustrated energy and a base from which to build collective power. In the UK, ACAN is registered as a Community Benefit Society with several hundred card-carrying members, connected to a much larger network of participants, supporters and observers. There are now ACAN groups in several other countries linked up via a coordinating international forum.

ACAN has been many things to many people, but at its core remains a vehicle for anyone who wishes to transform the built environment and address the climate crisis to come together and organise collectively for a different future.

Our Aims

We have 3 overarching aims:

1. DECARBONISE NOW!

We seek to radically transform the regulatory, economic and cultural landscape in which our built environment is made, operated and renewed in order to facilitate rapid decarbonisation of the built environment.

2. ECOLOGICAL REGENERATION!

We advocate the immediate adoption of regenerative & ecological principles in order to green the built environment, prioritise communities and ecosystems at threat and promote the recovery and restoration of natural environments.

3. CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION!

We call for a complete remodelling of our professional culture. We must challenge and redefine the value systems at the heart of our industry and education system. We seek to create an open network to share resources and knowledge to aid in this transition.

Why?

We are in a state of climate and ecological emergency. There is a compelling body of scientific work indicating our present trajectory will lead to catastrophe if we do not make ambitious and radical changes as a matter of urgency.

We also acknowledge that the construction industry and the existing built environment are major contributing factors to the crises and as such both require complete and rapid transformation. In the UK, the built environment as a whole is responsible for 42% of national emissions.

The manner in which we produce, operate and renew our built environment continues to curtail biodiversity, pollute ecosystems and encourage unsustainable lifestyles.

This state of emergency calls for a new kind of professionalism. We can no longer remain secluded within our personal and professional silos. Instead we are harnessing our collective agency; as citizens with a shared professional background and a common goal, mobilising to bring about necessary changes to our industry.

Who can join ACAN?

Anyone who shares our aims and values, is welcome to participate in ACAN regardless of background and demographic.

We recognise inequalities inherent in our profession and wider industry, and seek to avoid replicating and perpetuating these disparities, actively seeking to amplify voices that are currently underrepresented.

We strive to be an organisation of individuals of diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences, encouraging and widening participation in a shared endeavor.

We welcome anyone that shares in our vision for change.

If you’d like to see what ACAN is all about for yourself, join us at Futurebuild over 4th – 6th March 2025, where you will find us on Stand F24.