The steering group of UK Architects Declare, the British chapter of the international climate action network, has released a joint statement with Australian Architects Declare expressing deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction in Gaza. The organization issued a formal apology for their delayed response to the situation, acknowledging that their previous silence had become morally unacceptable given the scale of human suffering.
"We begin with a sincere apology for not speaking out sooner," the statement read. "We recognize that the situation in Gaza is part of a long and historical conflict, one that many have been cautious to address publicly because of its deeply divisive nature. However, there is a point at which silence is unconscionable. We believe that point has been reached with the deliberate starvation of children and the scale of human suffering now unfolding."
The organization emphasized that their commitment to environmental justice extends beyond national borders and encompasses the crisis unfolding in Gaza. "As architects, we are committed to addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social injustice," UK Architects Declare stated. "We cannot remain silent in the face of the ongoing, deliberate destruction of life, land, and cultural infrastructure in Gaza."
According to the latest statistics from Gaza's health ministry, over 62,000 Palestinians have died in Israel's military campaign, which was launched following Hamas's October 7 attacks. The United Nations World Food Programme has warned that Gaza "faces the grave risk of famine," with an estimated 39 percent of the population enduring days without food. The humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic proportions, with widespread malnutrition among children and disease outbreaks spreading throughout the region.
The scale of physical destruction in Gaza has been unprecedented, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting that over 90 percent of homes have been destroyed or damaged by Israeli forces. Essential infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water systems, has been systematically obliterated. A recent study published in Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability calculated that clearing the rubble from destroyed buildings alone could generate over 90,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Prolonged conflicts accelerate environmental degradation, disrupt climate resilience, and destroy vital infrastructure, compounding the vulnerability of people and ecosystems," the statement explained. "In Gaza, this destruction has reached an unprecedented scale, with tens of thousands of buildings reduced to rubble and essential infrastructure obliterated." The environmental toll includes severe soil pollution, sewage system failures, groundwater contamination, and the daily release of untreated sewage into the Mediterranean Sea.
The organization detailed the ecological devastation, noting that farms and tree cover have been decimated, disrupting local ecology and food systems. The agricultural destruction has contributed to the emerging famine conditions, while the breakdown of sanitation systems has created additional health hazards for the surviving population. The deliberate targeting of urban infrastructure represents not only a humanitarian crisis but also an ecological and cultural catastrophe that will take generations to rebuild.
UK Architects Declare called upon the international architecture community to take concrete action in response to the crisis. The organization urged architects to support humanitarian organizations working on the ground in Palestine, such as Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Palestinian Red Crescent. They also encouraged professionals to amplify the voices of affected organizations, including Architects for Gaza, the Palestine Regeneration Team, and the Gaza Global University.
The statement specifically called on architects to contact their local members of parliament to demand governmental action, referencing resources provided by UNA-UK for writing to MPs about the Gaza crisis. The organization emphasized the need for advocacy focused on peace, environmental justice, and reparative rebuilding rooted in ecological and cultural restoration. They also urged the community to be mindful of the global impact of architectural work and its unintended local consequences.
"We stand in solidarity with civilians and practitioners who have lost homes, studios, schools, and entire neighborhoods," the statement declared. "We affirm the dignity of all life and call for the protection of civilians, adherence to international humanitarian law, and urgent steps toward a lasting ceasefire, and the return of all hostages and displaced civilians to their lands in peace and security."
The UK Architects Declare steering group, while acknowledging they do not speak for all signatory practices, referenced their 12th declaration point calling on architects to "support those who are working for climate justice and strive to ensure equity and an improved quality of life for all." The organization joined other professional groups in the built environment, including the Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) and signatories of the Architects for Gaza campaign, in recognizing the crisis as both humanitarian and environmental in nature.
The statement concluded with a call for continued dialogue within the built environment sector regarding appropriate practical and advocacy responses to the Gaza crisis. "Architecture is a profession of care. Let us not look away," the organization emphasized, welcoming opportunities for further discussion within the professional community about addressing this unprecedented crisis.
