The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has produced a report assessing the work of firms that are part of the AIA 2030 Commitment, a voluntary initiative to commit their practice to advancing the AIA’s goal of carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030.  

“This is a significant step in the right direction that showcases the strides being made by the design and construction community to reduce the energy consumption of buildings,” said AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ivy, FAIA. “But we are still a long way from achieving our ultimate goal of carbon neutrality.  We hope that the progress outlined in this report can generate greater urgency to meet or exceed the outlined carbon reduction targets by architects and their clients.” 

The key findings from the AIA 2030 2014 Progress Report include:

140 firms submitted reports – a 41% increase from 2013

2.4 billion gross square feet (GSF) represented in this data – a 50% increase

4,354  projects have been accounted for in this report – a 78% increase

413 design projects are meeting the 60% carbon reduction target – a 3% increase

197 net zero energy projects – a 270% increase

22% average firm reduction in Lighting Power Density for interior projects – a increase of 3%

34% average Predicted Energy Use Intensity reduction reported by firms – a decrease of 3%

11% of total GSF meeting the current 60% carbon reduction target – an increase of 4%

53% of total GSF using energy modeling to predict operational energy consumption – a 13% decrease

In order to make data reporting easier the AIA partnered with the Department of Energy to create the AIA 2030 Design Data Exchange (DDx), an online monitoring, reporting and research tool for architecture firms.  See user feedback and access the tool here. 

The AIA has also partnered with Architecture 2030 and AIA Seattle to launch an educational program aimed at providing AIA members and other design professionals with the high-performance building knowledge necessary to meet the 2030 Challenge targets.