Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Future

In recognition that a sustainable society meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; that a healthy environment is intrinsically valuable and essential to a healthy society; and that there is persuasive evidence that today's human society is degrading the environment and is not sustainable;

And in recognition of our ecological interdependence with the whole of life, of our economic, social and cultural interdependence with all of humanity, and that sustainability in the context of interdependence requires equity and balance among all parties;

And in recognition that the design of the built environment plays a major role in the human impact on the natural environment and on the quality of human life;

We, of the world's architectural and design professions, commit ourselves to:

Place consideration for environmental and social sustainability at the core of our design work.

Develop innovative practices, procedures, products, services and standards that will enable us to implement such sustainable design.

Educate our fellow professionals, our clients, and the general public about the value and critical importance of sustainable design.

Work to change policies, regulations, and standard practices in government and business so that sustainable design will become the fully supported standard practice in the building industry.

Work to bring the existing built environment up to sustainable design standards.