Australian designers sign climate emergency declaration

Design Declares officially launched on July 29 in Sydney, with designers, design studios, agencies and institutions declaring and actively addressing the climate and ecological emergency that threatens our world.

At launch, Design Declares had 58 signatories in Australia - including Frost, Koskela, Good Design Australia and Mek Studio - and 930 worldwide.

"Research shows that 80% of all climate-related challenges today are rooted in the design phase of products. Our mission is to reverse this trend and harness our collective power to effect real environmental change," said Ben Rennie, chairperson of Design Declares Australia.

"Our immediate goal is to mobilise the Australian design community to sign the declaration and follow the '8 Steps of Emergency.' In the long term, we aspire to influence governmental policies by demonstrating that superficial approaches to climate issues are insufficient. We aim to rally support for substantial, actionable measures addressing the rising ocean level threat and other urgent environmental challenges," adds Rennie.

"By acknowledging that we are in a climate emergency and committing to action, we are taking steps towards meaningful change. It's time for designers and design studios to sign the declaration of this crucial movement," added Nicola Rennie, operations director.

Design Declares welcomes participation from individuals and studios involved in various design sectors, including industrial, digital, graphic, communication, and service design. Signatories can access the Design Declares toolkit, a curated collection of resources designed to equip designers with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable and regenerative practices. It includes guidelines, best practices, and case studies, providing a practical roadmap for designers committed to making a positive environmental impact.

You can sign the declaration here.