AIA 2030 Commitment By the Numbers (RY25): A Look into Firms’ Progress Towards Net Zero Emissions

AIAU26-CADE01

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1 LU|HSW

Live course date: 10/16/2026 | 01:00 PM

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Description

How much progress have the more than 24,286 projects totaling 3.4 billion gross square feet (GSF) designed last year made toward achieving net-zero carbon? The AIA 2030 Commitment, a major climate initiative, brings together almost 1,600 architecture and design firms that have agreed to monitor their projects' energy data with the aim of attaining carbon neutrality in the built environment. Following the release of the 2030 By the Numbers 2025 report, we will discuss the report's main findings.

We will examine the trends in overall energy performance, the growing use of energy modelling, and the way in which renewables, fuel sources, and embodied carbon are reported. Looking to the future, since the Commitment has now been in place for 17 years and is less than five years away from 2030, the Working Group is suggesting a move away from the energy savings defined in CBECS 2003 towards total carbon reporting — a change in direction which will start with a series of iterative updates starting next year.

Learning Objectives

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Explain the role of the AIA 2030 Commitment and the Design Data Exchange (DDx) in successfully integrating sustainability into firm practices to improve design outcomes and performance.

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Describe high-level data trends across past years to show areas of improvement in renewable energy, building electrification, and embodied carbon data.

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Identify key strategies for firms to improve their own portfolio’s energy performance.

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Describe how the 2030 Commitment's reporting metrics will evolve through 2030 and beyond, including the shift toward total carbon reporting, as well as enhanced embodied carbon and energy source reporting.

2030

Instructors

Cory Duggin

PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP

Cory Duggin is a Principal at TLC Engineering Solutions’ PEAK Institute. The PEAK Institute focuses on research and development aimed at reducing energy and water consumption, enhancing building occupant productivity and health, and making buildings smarter to operate. Cory supports TLC’s building performance simulation efforts directly through projects and by leading internal training sessions. His simulation expertise allows engineering teams to visualize innovative technical solutions for high-performance design challenges. Cory holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, both from Tennessee Technological University.

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Daniel Overbey

AIA, NCARB, LEED Fellow, LEED AP (BD+C, ID+C, O+M), WELL AP

Daniel Overbey, AIA, is an Associate Principal and Director of Sustainability for Indiana-based Browning Day and an Associate Professor of Architecture at Ball State University’s R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning. His work focuses on high-performance and zero net energy/zero net carbon building design and construction, environmental systems research, energy/life cycle assessment modeling, and resilient design. Daniel has led sustainability efforts on a range of high-profile green building projects.

Daniel holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Hel is a past President of the Indiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architect (AIA Indiana), past Chair of the Indiana affiliate of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and current co-chair of the AIA 2030 Commitment Working Group.

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Jacob Werner

AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, LFA, CPHC

Jacob Werner, AIA, is a principal architect and lab planner with Ellenzweig, in Boston, Massachusetts. He specializes in designing innovative spaces for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with a focus on high-quality user experience, sustainability, and resilience. As a Certified Passive House Consultant, LEED AP, and WELL AP, Jacob is a passionate advocate for sustainable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient buildings. He is a leader in the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, where he is New England Chapter President, advises on the I2SL Labs2Zero program, and authors I2SL Best Practices Guides. Jacob is also active in the American Institute of Architects, where he serves as Co-Chair of the AIA 2030 Commitment Working Group.

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