The American Institute of Architectsâ (AIA) Board of Directors has approved a landmark resolutionâchampioned by AIA membersâthat defines immediate and long-term efforts to engage the architectural profession in the fight against climate change.
âThis is a defining moment for the Institute,â said 2019 AIA President William Bates, FAIA. âWe are making this our top priority in order to address the crisis our communities face. Moving the needle on this critical issueâthat threatens the future of our planet and humanityârequires our firm commitment to achieving carbon neutral goals in the built environment and our immediate action. Itâs imperative that the industry acts today.âÂ
AIA and its members are rallying the profession to do more to fight climate change as buildings are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases. Moving forward, AIA will build on its more than 20 years of work supporting the design of sustainable and resilient communities by establishing goals to support mitigation and adaptation using the tenets of the comprehensive and holistic COTE Top Ten framework, now known as the AIA Design Excellence Framework.
Initially, AIA will focus its efforts on designing for energy, economy, and equitable communities. Additionally, the Institute will continue to encourage participation in the AIAâs 2030 Commitment and will work to develop new programs and resources that will support architects in fighting climate change.
The catalyst to the Boardâs new landmark initiative was a resolution introduced by architect Betsy del Monte, FAIA, and fifty members of the Institute at AIAâs Conference on Architecture 2019. The resolution calls for revisions to AIA public policies and position statements and advocates that the Institute engage its full membership, clients, lawmakers, and communities in a multi-year education, practice, and advocacy strategy.
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