The value of architects in combatting the climate crisis

AIA representatives met with world leaders, US Senators, city and civic leaders, and many more key stakeholders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  

Prior to the conference, Illya Azaroff, FAIA, director of design, resilience and regenerative strategies at +LAB Architect PLLC called AIA “the best kept secret” at COP28.  

“We are no longer one of the best kept secrets. We’ve given greater voice and agency to AIA as an organization and have introduced the profound power of what architects do,” said Azaroff, who attended COP28 as an AIA representative for the second time. “Our Framework for Design Excellence and the recent Resilient Design Toolkit were part of rollouts and discussions that we had with global leaders to demonstrate what architects are doing for climate action.”  

First time attendee Erika Eitland, MPH, ScD, co-director of the Human Experience Lab at Perkins & Will, thinks AIA has an important role in making sure that design professionals at large are involved in conversations surrounding climate change.”  

“Our presence of being at COP28, being able to ask questions, being able to contribute to sessions was essential,” she said. “I think in some circles people were surprised about architects being in the room, but I think it mattered.”  

Eitland, who spoke with Senator Chris Coons of Delaware and Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, said AIA’s ability to meet with legislators and representatives made a difference in making the importance of architecture known. “This work doesn’t happen without good policy. Being able to have energized conversations in this context gave us an opportunity to follow up on meaningful things. I think AIA is uniquely slated to talk about these things.”  

When Li Ren, AIA, project architect at Perkins Eastman, another first-time attendee, would introduce himself to others at COP28 they’d often mention how happy they are that architects are at the conference.  

“People would tell me architects should have been here a long time ago, I think the public recognition of architects as leaders in the climate change crisis has grown,” he said. “People want to work with us, AIA has a good reputation and I think there’s so much opportunity for us to grow and share more resources and efforts in fighting climate change.  

In addition to Azaroff, Eitland and Ren, AIA delegates at COP28 included 2023 president Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA; Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE, EVP/Chief Executive Officer; Vicky Schneider, senior advisor; Lisa Ferretto, sr. director, climate action and design excellence; Derek Washam, sr. director,  global & industry engagement and Stephanie Kinnick, AIA, director of operations at Gensler Middle East.

AIA member work

One of Azaroff’s primary goals at COP28 was ensuring that key stakeholders were made aware of the work of AIA members.  

“People at COP truly believe in the mission, but they don’t always know how to do it. As architects, we know how to do it in these collaborations. The proof of the work of our members gives us inroads,” he said.  

In the future, Azaroff would like to see even more AIA-member led presentations that demonstrate climate action.  

“There are a lot of aspirational folks at COP that are writing agreements and sharing knowledge, but they’re seeking and hungry for what successful climate action in the built environment looks like. I know 96,000 AIA members that have an answer,” he said. “I’d love for our members and their work to be front and center in these conversations, explaining how we can accomplish these goals.”  

Ren, who lives in Dubai and is a member of AIA Middle East, thinks connections that he made at COP28 can help strengthen AIA relations with other architects in the region.

“We went to a reception hosted by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and it was a great chance to talk with architects from Britain and the conversation was excellent. RIBA has a huge impact outside of the UK, many architects from Africa, Southeast Asia, they’re RIBA members,” Ren said. “We discussed coordinating between AIA and RIBA, we both have members in the Middle East and I think collaboration with them will be crucial.”

Ren says he discussed helping establish a strong building code in the Middle East. “We need to avoid mistakes that other countries have made before,” he said.  

Eitland agrees that creating stronger relationships is paramount to fighting climate change.  

“It’s helpful to identify what partnerships are possible that didn’t seem possible before. Is it with landscape architects, is it with the UN? What scale can we have influence,” Eitland asked. “AIA’s presence at COP is about future collaborations, the knowledge we can provide, and the next steps that we can help others take.”  

Eitland says she reflected on how AIA is an important entity for keeping architects accountable when it comes to fighting climate change.  

“It’s not just about what we offer COP, but COP gives us a lens to see that we need a deeper commitment in the United States when it comes to climate action. How can we amplify everything that we learn at the conference and deliver it to the designers on the ground?”  

Additional coverage of COP28 is available on AIA’s LinkedIn page.