Sustainability at AIA25

Learn how AIA is prioritizing sustainability at AIA25 and explore a curated list of recommended AIA25 sessions from AIA’s Climate Action and Design Excellence team.

Solar PV panels on a sustainable building

Sustainability efforts & initiatives

As the largest design organization in the world, AIA is leading efforts to transform the day-to-day practice of architecture to achieve a zero-carbon, resilient, healthy, and equitable built environment.

This ethos informs everything we do, from the events we host to our building renovation, advocacy efforts, and the knowledge, research, and resources we develop and provide to our members.

This year at AIA25 in Boston, MA, is no exception. Our goal is to host an event that leaves the community around the convention center and the entire city better.

The AIA Framework for Design Excellence sets the standard for sustainable, inclusive, healthy, and resilient design. We’re using the principles of the framework as a structure to communicate AIA’s climate action goals in partnership with our vendors and the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) as we host the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design® 2025.

Explore some of our key efforts below.

Reducing the carbon footprint of attendee travel

AIA is reducing local emissions to help offset the significant carbon emissions from attendee travel.

11 of our 27 hotels are less than a mile and within walking distance of the BCEC, with an additional 6 hotels located within 1.5 miles for those who enjoy longer walks. These hotel options help reduce the need for additional transportation and emissions.
Tours prioritize walking and public transportation, which also reduces the need for additional transportation and emissions.
Our shuttle service provider, SEAT Planners, will measure the amount of CO2 produced by the shuttles and partner with Bonneville Environmental Foundation to offset it.

Promoting sustainable exhibitors

Many AIA25 exhibitors have health and sustainability certifications or demonstrate significant efforts toward sustainable practices and production. Returning for this year’s conference, exhibitors will highlight their commitment to sustainability at the AIA25 Expo. Look for green stickers and signage displayed prominently at booths and be sure to ask exhibitors how their products and practices support AIA’s climate action pledge programs such as the 2030 Commitment and A&D Materials Pledge.

Recycling & waste management

AIA is working with our event partner, Freeman, and the BCEC to provide clearly labeled recycling bins and composting options—encouraging responsible waste disposal.

Building operations

In 2016, the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) was certified LEED Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED, which stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”, is an internationally adopted “green building” rating system, which evaluates a building’s environmental footprint in terms of its resource consumption, waste management practices, and overall operational efficiency.

Here are a few features attendees will experience. You can read more details here.

State-of-the-art Lutron Lighting Systems installed throughout the facility and sensor-controlled lighting in all meeting rooms.
Locally sourced food & composting from the food and beverage partners used within the BCEC. Composting collection bins are located in designated areas around the dining options for event attendees.
BCEC restaurants use biodegradable packaging and corn-based compostable cups and utensils
Color-coded recycling and single-source haulers

Tracking future impacts

While these sustainability efforts mark a significant alignment with AIA’s climate action goals, we know we have a long way to go and are excited to keep innovating at future conferences! Using this year as a baseline for metrics and gathering feedback from exhibitors and attendees, AIA is setting aggressive goals around sustainable operations—including recycling, water usage, and emissions—that create measurable impacts.

Sustainability education

Design excellence is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive design. Check out the AIA Framework for Design Excellence to learn more about how sustainability, resilience, health, and equity can be integrated as critical aspects of your design process and firm culture.

Then, at AIA25, plan to attend the numerous seminars, workshops, tours, and expo credit sessions on sustainability and climate action.

Don’t know where to start? Here are a few session recommendations from the AIA Climate Action and Design Excellence team. Plus, stay tuned for other activities and activations on the expo floor!