The RIAS has launched an accreditation scheme for sustainable building designers. "Recognising solid achievement in buildings that have been in use for at least a year, helps encourage other professionals to the lift their game, and also helps clients find chartered architects with the skills for tomorrow" said Sebastian Tombs, RIAS Chief Executive.

"This achievement reflects a genuine partnership process" said Sandy Halliday of Gaia Research, who first envisaged this as an outcome of her work in 2001. "With DTI and the Ecological Building Society support I was able to create learning packages for building design professionals, and at the associated events, ask professionals about accreditation; they were very positive!"

In 2003, Sust. The Lighthouse on Sustainability, with funds from the Scottish Executive's Architecture Policy Unit, enabled the RIAS to pilot a scheme. This accredited 13 chartered architects in the summer of 2004. With some refinements, the full scheme is now being launched. Lori McElroy now running Sust. welcomed the development. "While there are numerous schemes for assessing the environmental characteristics of buildings around the world, this is the only one that tests the skills and experience of the designers" she said. "I hope this takes off, and encourages other disciplines like Building Services Engineers to follow suit".

Raymond Young OBE, a member of the UK Sustainable Development Commission chaired the assessment panel with Fionn Stevenson of Duncan of Jordanstone College, Dundee, and Lori McElroy. Young who has just been appointed Chair of Architecture & Design Scotland, chaired the events at the Scottish Parliament building. "The environmental challenges facing us are huge, but the built environment can play a major part in tackling them: skilled architects and designers are therefore crucial to our long term survival".

Four chartered architects presented their work: Tom Morton; Gokay Devici; John Gilbert; Howard Liddell - each accredited at different levels, but each with a star rating for innovation. An exhibition, created by Chris Stewart Architects, on display in the Garden Lobby, from 31 January to 4 February, illustrates projects by the 13 accredited chartered architects, highlighting their environmental credentials.