“It’s up to us to be true agents of climate action.”

AIA sent its first delegation to the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, to present, forge partnerships, and meet with political and environmental leaders from more than 200 countries about the architecture industry’s role in climate change and decarbonization.

“I started 2020 thinking about architects as first adapters, as indispensable partners whenever health and wellness must be balanced against delight and inspiration in the places where we live our lives,” said AIA President Peter Exley, FAIA, in remarks at a panel event. “However, unless we’re at the proverbial table for the critical discussions about codes, zoning, material pipelines, land use, evaluating carbon taxes, creating carbon sinks, circular economies, and so much more—then architects have abjured their agency.”

“We need to treat the Greta Thunbergs of the world as more than just a voice,” Exley added. “We need to mobilize a generation of Gretas and give them resources and education so there’s some warranty to the promises we make here at COP26.”

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