Operationalising Six Climate-Conscious Design Actions: a framework for sustainable architecture beyond the 2030 Agenda, Sara Elhussein
Sara Elhussein
Architect and Senior Sustainability Consultant, I Design
London
United Kingdom
ORCID: 0009-0006-0824-3527
Paper Type: Research
Received: 15 October 2025 / Revised: 30 October 2025 / Accepted: 31 October 2025 / Published: 30 December 2025
DOI: 10.47556/B.OUTLOOK2025.23.5
Purpose: In response to climate urgency and shortcomings of current sustainability frameworks, there is demand for a transformation in how architecture addresses environmental and social challenges. Existing models often separate climate, equity, and systems thinking into isolated categories, producing fragmented, short-term solutions. This paper introduces the Six Climate-Conscious Design Actions (SCDA), which are Climate, Site, Design, Decarbonisation, Systems, and Community, to support early-stage design integration beyond the 2030 Agenda.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The framework is developed through a critical synthesis of academic literature, professional benchmarks, and practice insights. It maps each design action against environmental and social performance targets, drawing from international references including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, the Whole Building Design Guide, and principles of regenerative and inclusive design thinking.
Findings: The SCDA framework addresses key shortcomings in current practice by supporting early interdisciplinary decision-making. It enables lifecycle carbon reduction, strengthens passive design performance, and embeds social value, promoting a shift from compliance-focused processes to transformative outcomes.
Originality/Value: Unlike existing models that either focus narrowly on environmental goals or present regionally constrained strategies, this framework offers a unified and scalable approach. It bridges environmental and social dimensions of sustainability and enables design teams to operationalise post-2030 priorities in practice. The work supports a redefinition of architectural responsibility towards climate, equity, and wellbeing.
Research Limitations/Practical Implications: While conceptual in scope, this paper provides a structured foundation for validating the SCDA framework through application in practice. Future research should focus on empirical case studies, performance modelling, and stakeholder engagement to assess implementation across diverse architectural and cultural contexts.
Keywords: Climate-Conscious Design; Sustainable Architecture; Early-Stage Design; Decarbonisation; Post-2030 Agenda; Inclusive Design; Systems Thinking in Architecture.
Citation: Elhussein, S. (2025): Operationalising Six Climate-Conscious Design Actions: a framework for sustainable architecture beyond the 2030 Agenda. World Sustainable Development Outlook 2025, Vol. 21, pp. 45-60. WASD: London, United Kingdom.
