A&D Materials Pledge Peer-to-Peer Network

AIA Materials Pledge community, 

We've officially wrapped up our second official year of Materials Pledge reporting with vast increases in number of firms projects, and total GSF reported. Additionally, earlier this month, several AIA Materials Pledge staff and Working Group attended AIA25 in Boston to talk about materials reporting, Sustainability and Materials Action Plans, connecting both AIA climate pledge programs, and more! Hear more on the sessions and presentations given: 

Material Matters: Integrating Materials Into Sustainability Action Plans

This session brought together small, medium, and large firm representatives to share their experiences in developing sustainability action plans that include materials goals and targets, and how those plans relate to the AIA Materials Pledge.  The audience captured a wide range of firm awareness on responsible materials, with about 50% familiar with the AIA Materials Pledge, and about 25% of firms already signed onto the Pledge.  There was significant interest in the approaches defined by each firm size - from those that were specific to each of the 5 Pledge Impact Categories, to those that were mission-based and far-reaching, to those that were strategy-based and quickly implemented.  The Q&A suggested increasing interest in both the value foundation of the Pledge, as well as the tactile, implementable strategies firms can take to develop their action plans and actively move their projects forward. -Maria Papiez, AIA

AIA 2030 & Materials Pledge Open Forum: Connections & Community

Building on the shared strength of AIA’s flagship climate commitment programs, this year’s joint open forum delivered fresh insights from the most recent reporting year’s data which will become the basis for the annual By the Number Reports. Pledge group chairs (joined by numerous working team members) facilitated roundtable conversations across both programs, including easy on-ramps for new signatories and small firms, deep dives into the Materials Pledge five impact categories, embodied carbon, data visualization, and Sustainability Action Plans. Signatory and reporting growth across both programs remain strong, with notable recognition for top firms having successfully reported across both commitment programs for the previous two years. Practitioners openly shared their successes and challenges within their unique firm structure and culture in meeting these program’s goals, while adjusting to shifting client needs and continued certification and program evolution, resulting in strong support and a collaborative approach across the industry. -Jay Hindmarsh, AIA

Materials Pledge to Material Improvements: Starting & Managing the Process

With a surprisingly strong attendance for a 7:30am presentation, the session highlighted the progress towards sustainable materials and provided practical tips for implementing meaningful materials goals into practice. Only a few attendees had signed onto the AIA Materials Pledge, but all were interested in learning more. The Q&A resulted in a meaningful discussion and with attendees sharing their experience implementing material goals within their firms and across their projects. While challenges still exist, the architects and designers were eager to start tracking their progress, sharing best practices, and achieving success at scale. -Tanya Eagle, Assoc. AIA

And finally, here is the high-level Materials Pledge RY24 data. More to come later this year in the second annual report!