AIA 2030 Commitment: By the Numbers Annual Report

WASHINGTON – September 28, 2026 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released the 2030 Commitment By the Numbers annual report, highlighting the architecture and design industry's progress toward achieving carbon-neutral buildings by 2030. The report analyzes performance data from the calendar year 2025 and outlines strategies to help firms improve year-over-year results.

Climate conditions continue to threaten communities, with flooding and wildfires continuing to cause widespread damage in 2025 and showing little sign of slowing. As external pressures and priorities evolve, AIA remains committed to advancing climate action and equity through its programs and resources. Against this backdrop, the AIA 2030 Commitment enters its 17th year and with less than five years remaining toward the goal of carbon-neutral buildings by 2030, the initiative stands at a critical juncture as firms evaluate progress, refine benchmarks and chart a collective path forward.

The 2025 data shows that 67% of whole-building projects were energy modeled, reflecting continued progress in the use of building performance analysis. However, reported energy reductions declined, largely because energy-modeled projects use firm-determined baselines rather than the 2003 CBECS values, resulting in potentially more realistic performance comparisons. The findings highlight the need for broader adoption of realistic energy modeling and stronger quality assurance practices to improve baseline accuracy and performance tracking.

As the industry approaches 2030, AIA is updating the 2030 Commitment to help firms accelerate progress through expanded grid emissions data displayed in the Design Data Exchange (DDx), a combined operational and embodied carbon metric, and enhanced firm benchmarking tools. The updates are intended to help architects track performance more effectively and advance carbon-neutral design goals.

Energy efficiency alone will not be enough to achieve net-zero buildings. While predicted Energy Use Intensity (pEUI) reductions have leveled off in recent years, the relative plateau reflects historical gains in efficiency and suggests firms are approaching practical limits for energy savings. The findings also highlight the need to consider additional factors, including renewable energy, fuel sources and evolving building codes, when measuring progress toward decarbonization.

To better capture that progress, AIA plans to expand the 2030 Commitment beyond energy reduction metrics and move toward total carbon reporting. Future updates will place greater emphasis on total carbon (both operational and embodied), incorporate grid emissions data, highlight performance ranges for each project use type and provide enhanced benchmarking tools through the DDx. This program refresh is intended to give firms a more comprehensive view of building performance and support continued progress toward a low-carbon built environment.

Learn more about these future changes from the 2030 Commitment’s co-chairs.

“AIA will continue to equip architects, clients, and communities to do their best to create a more resilient, healthy, and equitable world,” said AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer, Carole Wedge, FAIA, LEED AP, NOMA. “This report represents a recommitment to accelerating the efficiency and emissions reductions goals the original 2030 Challenge made twenty years ago.”

Access the full report 2030 By the Numbers: The 2025 Summary of the AIA 2030 Commitment.