This week’s UN Climate Change Report shows that the world is falling ‘miles short of what’s needed’ to stop global warming from crippling economies and wrecking livelihoods in every country. Since the built environment creates a staggering 40% of the world’s emissions, architects, engineers, and owners play a key role. To help reduce emissions, AIA Columbus’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) encourages your firm to create a Sustainability Action Plan and join the AIA 2030 Commitment.
The AIA 2030 Commitment is an actionable climate strategy that gives us a set of standards and goals for reaching net zero emissions in the built environment. Over 1,350 architecture firms nationally have already made the commitment.
At the AIA Columbus November 12th Business Meeting, we recognized 15 Columbus firms who are leading the way with their commitment:
- AECOM
- CMTA
- The Collaborative
- DesignGroup
- DLR Group
- Latus Studio
- Legat Architects
- M+A Architects
- Moody Nolan
- NBBJ
- PRIME AE Group (as Braun & Steidl Architects)
- SHP
- SSOE
- Woolpert
- WSA Studio
Firms who join in the future will be recognized in this newsletter and announced at COTE sponsored events. Participating in the 2030 Commitment is achievable and can easily sync into your current workflows/practice. Five steps are:
- Sign the Letter of Commitment and create a DDx Account
- Develop a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP), minimum 1 page, within 6 months
- Start to reduce energy use in projects
- Within the 1st year, report at least 1 project into the DDx
- Review the SAP and update it every 3 years
If you aren’t sure where to begin, AIA has numerous online resources to guide you (see “Resources” near the end of the page). Contact the AIA Columbus office to obtain our 2024 Sustainability Action Plan Series materials or for guidance from an AIA Columbus COTE member. Your firm can make a difference!
