Net Zero: A Way Forward
Words by Ryan Cheng
In this series inspired by the Design Council’s recent “Beyond Net Zero” research report, we highlight the six principles for systemic design outlined that aim to guide design activity.
Pulling from examples right here at our parent studio Local Peoples, these principles can be used to help designers develop or adapt existing design methods or tools present in your practice.
“Every profession bears the responsibility to understand the circumstances that enable its existence.”
- Robert Gutman
In our last article of the Designing for Net Zero series, we focused on four specific characteristics outlined as vital to generating systemic change. With examples ranging from the Bjarke Ingels Group and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), the four characteristics include the system thinker, the leader/storyteller, the designer/maker and the connector/convener.
But how do these roles manifest within design?
According to the Design Council, there are a number of things that “need to change within the design process to help designers work more sustainably and systematically.”
In the report, they highlight six principles within a proposed systemic design framework that can guide designers moving toward a net zero and sustainable future. Citing examples of initiatives from our studio, we will highlight these six principles in practice.
The Design Council goes further and outlines ways of working for the particular stages of the design process with important working practices. Providing an incredible level of insight and detail, you can read more about that in the Beyond Net Zero Report.
Six Principles for Systemic Design
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People and Planet Centred
The first shift when designing for net zero is a renewed focus on people and the planet. More often than not, the bottom line is measured through an economic lens.
The Design Council argues that our collective move to net zero will involve “focusing on the shared benefits of all living things.”
As a certified BCORP, Local Peoples is committed to creating change through the triple bottom line, measuring our social and environmental impact in addition to our financial performance.
Example: The Studio goes carbon zero
At Local Peoples, we take environmental responsibility seriously. Across our work, we ask the question – what impact will this have on the environment and how can we minimise or eliminate it?
To help us achieve net carbon zero, we partnered with Greenfleet and were able to plant enough native trees to absorb 72.00 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This helped us reach carbon neutrality for the year!
Zooming In and Out
The sheer enormity of combating climate change can be overwhelming. That’s why the Design Council believes it is important to be able to move from the micro to the macro; present to the future; from the personal to the wider system.
By combining root causes with a hopeful vision, a net zero future becomes a future everyone can contribute to and achieve.
Example: DELWP Climate Action Plan
In Victoria, the State Government supported by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) recently released Victoria’s Climate Change Action Plan – a roadmap to net zero emissions and a climate resilient state by 2050.
Local Peoples had the privilege to work with DELWP to help bring the plan to life, creating two films along with digital communications to help share the story within parliament and the broader community.
Through the work there was one key message, that the Victorian community can create meaningful change for the planet, and for the next generation.
Testing and Growing Ideas
In our pursuit for a net zero future however, we have to acknowledge that there is no one, correct way to get there. Instead, an effective design process embraces the competition of ideas. Designers should never be afraid to come up with hypotheses, test them, leave room for mistakes and ultimately, grow.
Example: Development Victoria
Local Peoples worked with Development Victoria to create the Place Vision and Principles for a large brownfield site in Melbourne’s inner north. This involved prototyping a number of place vision principles and testing with public audiences
The project was carried out through workshops and interviews with the local community to understand their needs, desires and aspirations.
This was further augmented with an audit of existing research reports, planning and government directives to inform a place analysis – a deep quantitative and qualitative understanding of the surrounding area and its people.
"By combining root causes with a hopeful vision, a net zero future becomes a future everyone can contribute to and achieve.”
“Especially in the global pursuit for net zero, designers must consider how to curate these spaces so that every individual is empowered to speak their truth...”
Inclusive and Welcoming Difference
The competition of ideas however has to take place in safe space. A space that is shared by a variety of people who bring in multiple and marginalised perspectives. Especially in the global pursuit for net zero, designers must consider how to curate these spaces so that every individual is empowered to speak their truth, allowing us to envision a future that works for everyone.
Example: In A New Culture
Building on Spectrum's 40 years of experience, Local Peoples helped develop their latest offering: In A New Culture (INC). Designing a short video along with a suite of digital collateral, INC is now able to reach a range of CALD audiences, contributing to the diversity of the Australian community.
The video has also been translated into numerous different languages by AllGraduates, ensuring accessibility for all.
Circular and Regenerative
This transition to net zero does not mean starting again. A key principle that underpins the Design Council’s systemic design framework is circular and regenerative.
With a focus on existing assets - physical or social - designers are encouraged to consider how they might be able to reuse, nurture and grow these.
Example: Social Procurement Recommendations
In a recent presentation to DELWP, we encouraged them to consider embedding social procurement into their work. Social procurement refers to the mechanism of leveraging “social value from existing spend.”
This value goes beyond the value of the product or service being procured. Through this, we have the potential to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.
Collaborating and Connecting
Finally, designers must stop viewing their work in isolation. Design and its inherent processes are more interconnected to the rest of the world than we realise. Seeing a project as one part in a wider movement for change can empower and connect designers for the better.
Example: BCorp Champions Retreat
For the second ever Champions Retreat in Australia, B Lab ANZ wanted a sub brand based on the landscape of Spring Bay in Tasmania.
Local Peoples created an illustration style and icon set - rolling out the visual identity across a landing page, social media, and presentation templates.
Together, we were able to bring together a variety of B Corps to connect, learn, and get inspired.