Committee on the Environment (COTE)

to achieve climate action and climate justice through design. We believe that design excellence is the foundation of a healthy, sustainable, and equitable future. Our work promotes design strategies that empower all AIA members to realize the best social and environmental outcomes with the clients and the communities they serve.

• Help architects transform their practices for climate action and climate justice
• Elevate stories about people, buildings, and positive change
• Advocating for the AIA 2030 commitment.
• Advocating for more sustainable projects in San Mateo County and working with the local government to achieve that
• Work with San Mateo College to have more emphasis on sustainable design in their curriculum
• Advocating for LEED, WELL, fitwell etc.
• Adapting the AIA framework for design excellence (formerly the COTE Top Ten Measures)
• Implementing the common app design excellence form in future design awards program

• Organizing workshops and learning sessions
• Organizing panel discussions with local building officials, planning department, contractors, developers, clients
• Provide resources to help implement sustainable design strategies to our members
• Tours of green buildings