«Countdown 2030» is a constantly growing community of building creators who place the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crisis at the centre of their activism and work towards a sustainable building culture:

1. We act together, immediately and decisively.
In terms of climate emergency and biodiversity loss, we are already in the high-risk area. If we continue globally as before, the carbon budget of the Paris climate target will be used up by 2030. In order to limit warming to 1.5°, emissions must be halved by then. That is why the current decade is decisive. This urgency is at the forefront of our actions and projects.

2. We accept our professional responsibility.
Today's construction is responsible for around 30% of CO2 emissions across Switzerland, 50% of resource consumption and 80% of waste. As construction workers, we therefore have a duty to change our discipline. Given the above-average opportunities in Switzerland, we demand for the local construction sector: net zero by 2030.

3. We are part of a change in society as a whole.
The transformation to a sustainable world is fundamental. It will change politics, business and science, cultural and social life, resource flows and energy systems, and with it the physical world and construction. Sustainable architecture is part of this system change. That is why we network, forge alliances and empower other actors. Simply building differently does not do justice to the challenges.

4. We are political architects.
Processes and relationships shape public and built space more than objects and plot boundaries. As political actors, we begin every construction project with the question of actual needs and benefits for people. We are looking for new forms of housing and social networking, contemporary mobility and creative financing. To ensure that today's pilot projects are the standard of tomorrow, we are committed to sustainable framework conditions: emissions need reduction paths, settlement and land use need limits. Careful use of resources must be worthwhile. Natural areas and measures deserve the highest priority.

5. We see change as an opportunity to reinvent architecture.
For planning and building, this means reinventing modernity. Sustainable building is mixed and adaptable, biodiverse and alive, yet durable and changeable. It is climate and location specific, circular and regenerative, simple and sufficient. It is based on the people on site and what has already been built. Ultimately, this requires a different design approach, a learning and unlearning process. Reinventing architecture in this sense, for the planet and the people - what could be more interesting and meaningful?

Who are we?
Architects, planners and people working in architecture-related industries can get involved with us. We also need ideological, organizational and financial support from private individuals, companies and institutions to implement our projects.

Want to join? Contact us using the Contact form or at now@countdown2030.ch