Knowledge Community

Committee on the Environment (COTE®)

AIA Atlanta COTE supports advancing and advocating for thoughtful regenerative design practices and integrating built and natural systems to create sustainable, resilient, and equitable buildings and communities. Meetings provide a space where all building professionals, including owners, contractors, engineers, landscape architects, and sustainability consultants can come together to share strategies. COTE’s work includes:

  • Workshops and monthly lectures

  • Advocacy with government and civic organizations

  • Supporting the 2030 Commitment towards a carbon-free built environment

  • Synergies with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence to create better buildings

The AIA 2030 Commitment

Going carbon neutral

The AIA 2030 Commitment is an actionable climate strategy that outlines a set of standards and goals for reaching net zero emissions in the built environment.

The latest climate data tells us that reducing carbon emissions is not enough. To make the biggest impact, we must all commit to net zero emissions by 2030—a path that requires strong, immediate action. Since the built environment creates a staggering 40% of the world’s emissions, architects, engineers, and owners play a key role.

Get involved

Joining the 2030 Commitment benefits your clients, your firm, and the planet. Learn what to expect when you sign on.

Read the article >

Ready to join 1,000+ firms working toward a carbon-neutral future? Create an account on the 2030 DDx page and sign the commitment letter.

Register your firm >

A Sustainability Action Plan is your firm’s unique strategy for prioritizing and meeting sustainability goals. This guide shows you how.

Review the guide >

Explore tips from LPA Design Studios to help you develop a plan to meet your goals.

Read the article >

In 2020, reporting firms avoided over 34 million metric tons of carbon emissions.  See their progress in our latest annual report.

View the 2030 By the Numbers report >

Key info

Leadership

Frances Hamilton, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Chair

Position Open
Co-chair

Bill Abballe, AIA
AIA Advisor

Position Open
Communications

Ganesh Nayak, AIA
Educational Coordinator

Sustainable Sites
Chair: Paul McKeever, AIA
Co-chair: Open

Water Efficiency
Chair: Meg Needle, AIA
Co-Chair: Open

Energy & Atmosphere
Chair: Kelly Roberts
Co-chair: Open

Indoor Environmental Quality/Materials & Resources
Chair: Bill Hotch, AIA
Co-chair: Open

Technology
Chair: Erich R. Swett
Co-chair: Open

Education & Outreach
Chair: Delton Moore
Co-Chair: Open

To apply for an open position, please contact us here.

Outside resources

ASHRAE seeks to advance heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems design and construction.

Learn more

Southface offers trainings on building performance, health and safety, energy and water, green infrastructure and green building certifications.

Learn more 

The Zero Tool calculates fossil fuel energy consumption for existing buildings and new building designs.

Learn more 

An immediately applicable, high-impact pathway to embodied carbon reductions in the built environment.

Learn more 

Events

Monthly meetings take place on the second Friday of every month from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. Meetings are currently virtual.

Related AIAU courses

AIA+2030 Online Series Certificate Program

This series will inspire architects to meet the 2030 goals through design strategies, efficient technologies and systems, and renewable energy resources.

Learn more >

Performing Beautifully: Lessons from 2021 COTE® Top Ten Award-Winning Teams

This 90-minute on-demand course explores the design strategies and outcomes of the 2021 COTE® Top Ten Award winners. It includes videos from each team and commentary from 2021 jury chair Michelle Amt, AIA, and COTE® 2020 Chair Julie Hiromoto, AIA.

Learn more >

The State of Climate Action in the Building Sector: How Architects Can Make a Difference

A more sustainable future starts with the built environment. Join this session to explore the latest state of knowledge on climate change, targets, goals, and regulations set to mitigate its worst effects, and what you, as an architect, can do to help.

Learn more >

Residential Energy Savings

Various courses covering sustainable home design, including, energy, water, windows, building envelopes and more.

Learn more >

Building Spotlight

The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

Designed by The Miller Hull Partnership and Lord Aeck Sargent, the Kendeda Building at Georgia Tech is zero-energy, becoming the first in Georgia and 28th in the world to earn the Living Building Challenge certification. This designation certifies the development to be among the world’s most ambitious and holistic green buildings. It is fully regenerative, with its photovoltaic system supplying over 200% of the building’s energy needs.

Building Spotlight

The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

Designed by The Miller Hull Partnership and Lord Aeck Sargent, the Kendeda Building at Georgia Tech is zero-energy, becoming the first in Georgia and 28th in the world to earn the Living Building Challenge certification. This designation certifies the development to be among the world’s most ambitious and holistic green buildings. It is fully regenerative, with its photovoltaic system supplying over 200% of the building’s energy needs.