The publication details KPF’s commitment to designing net-zero projects and provides an update on the firm’s progress toward our greenhouse gas reductions targets, which have been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.
Since its founding in 1976, KPF has been dedicated to elevating cities through impactful design. As the climate crisis reshapes our world and endangers our cities, architecture has a vital role to play in mitigating operational and embodied greenhouse gas emissions while creating buildings and cities that are adapted both to today’s needs and the demands of the future. We also believe that we have a responsibility to account for and minimize the greenhouse gas emissions that stem from our operations as a company. This report covers both aspects of our climate commitment and is composed of three sections.
“Our Projects” details our commitments through AIA and RIBA to design and deliver carbon-neutral buildings by 2030. Since 2019, our firm has analyzed and tracked the energy efficiency of our projects, reporting the results to the AIA 2030 Commitment each year, and achieved substantial reductions. We have also joined the AIA and firms around the country in pledging to apply more intentional material specification across our portfolio of projects with the aim of contributing to improved human health, social health and equity, ecosystem health, climate health, and the circular economy. This mission has led to a new generation of sustainable buildings that pursue net-zero emissions, electrification, resilience, and low-carbon construction.
“Our Practice” provides an update on our firm’s work to address greenhouse gas emissions that stem from our activities as a business. We have committed to science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets of at least 50% in scopes 1 and 2 and 27% in scope 3 by 2030 compared with a 2019 baseline year. This section of the report outlines our progress and the growing suite of internal policies that address energy sourcing, air travel, and procurement and are changing the way we operate as a company to meet these commitments and align our operations with what is necessary to prevent the worst effects of climate change. Our targets and the related carbon accounting were prepared in collaboration with Ramboll and have been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.
“Our People” describes how KPF has worked to cultivate a community of expertise in climate-friendly architectural practice through specialist teams, sustainability training, and employee interest groups. Our people are industry leaders in the field of sustainable design, researchers working at the cutting edge of architectural technology, and advocates for more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities. Likewise, our commitment to sustainable design goes hand-in-hand with a commitment to design healthy, equitable, and resilient places where communities thrive.
As we look to 2025 and beyond, we are clear eyed about the challenges our climate faces; at the same time, we remain optimistic about the power of design to make a meaningful difference for cities and communities around the world. Addressing the climate challenge will require all of us—clients, technologists, policymakers, and community leaders as well as designers—to think creatively about how we can decarbonize our cities and our supply chains, build resilient communities, and envision new possibilities for a world transformed. Join us in this vital work!