AIA's Climate Policy
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) advocates for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient built environment that includes healthy physical environments for all. Architects prioritize policies supporting a cost-effective and equitable transformation.
Why we care
Buildings account for about 40% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As leaders designing a significant percentage of buildings across the country, we have the unique expertise and opportunity to reduce GHG emissions.
AIA’s climate work is not just centered on GHG and temperature rise, but also concerns policy issues related to resilience, mitigation, sustainability, materials and building codes.
Architects rely on the development, evaluation, and use of codes, standards, and evidence-based rating systems to achieve healthy, resilient buildings and communities for all members of society. AIA advocates for codes, policies, and incentives to meet these goals, and actively provides resources to architects and design firms to aid in compliance. AIA is committed to eliminating building carbon emissions by 2040.
AIA advocates for efforts that aim to accelerate emission reductions and modernize the architectural practice to benefit the built environment and public health through initiatives like the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, the CEO Partnership on Climate and equity, and the AIA Climate Action Plan.
Recent Climate Advocacy
- AIA written testimony: recommendations in support of publically funded research for environmental health (April 9, 2025) Read the letter
- AIA written testimony on EPA Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction (April 4, 2025) Read the letter
- Coalition request for funding toward Building Energy Codes Program (March 24, 2025) Read the letter