AIA Approves Resolution to Take Greater Action Against Climate Change

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board approved an official resolution to engage the architectural profession to take action in the fight against climate change.  According to 2019 AIA President William Bates, FAIA, “We are making this our top priority in order to address the crisis our communities face. Moving the needle on this critical issue—that threatens the future of our planet and humanity—requires our firm commitment to achieving carbon neutral goals in the built environment and our immediate action. It’s imperative that the industry acts today.”  

The AIA’s online public “Where We Stand” statement on Climate Action is fairly straightforward: "Climate change is everyone’s crisis, and architects are uniquely positioned to help solve it. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) calls on architects around the world to support humanity’s collective call to climate action through an unrelenting commitment to sustainable and resilient design.” Specific responsibilities include:

• Targeting a goal of net-zero emissions in the building sector by 2050.
• Employ passive design techniques, employ energy efficiency measures, adapt existing buildings, and specify low-impact building materials that increase human health and productivity while withstanding the effects of a changing climate.
• Actively make the business and financial case to clients to help them understand and support the need to integrate renewable energy sources into all buildings

The organization also makes commitments to specific actions.  To read the full statement: https://www.aia.org/resources/77541-where-we-stand-climate-change

The new initiative is the result of a resolution introduced by Architect Betsy del Monte, FAIA, and fifty members of the Institute at AIA’s 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.