Interior design professionals create the spaces where people live, work, heal, learn, socialize, and play. Designers’ decisions also impact the interior design industry comprised of designers, manufacturers, dealers, contractors, consultants, tradespeople, artisans, and workers around the world.
Through this wide reach, interior designers play a significant role in reducing global carbon emissions and regenerating ecosystems to help avert the climate crisis. Interior design professionals are also in a unique position to improve people’s lives and support wellness and prosperity in our communities.
We have a professional obligation to our peers, the public, and future generations to strive for a just, healthy, and sustainable society.
The Interior Design Pledge for Positive Impact calls upon designers to understand, assess, and maximize the positive impact of our work by making three interconnected commitments:
Design for Climate:
The climate crisis is the greatest single threat to health and economic prosperity on the planet, and disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. Interior design professionals reduce the negative impacts of climate change by committing to:
– Reduce emissions, including operational and embodied carbon, to the maximum extent on all projects.
– Optimize design processes to reduce waste and the depletion of natural resources.
– Design for adaptability and resilience.
– Design for responsible end-of-life, deconstruction, and decommissioning processes.
Design for Health:
Both human and ecological health are essential components of a thriving society, and essential for the future of humanity on the planet. Interior design professionals support holistic health and safety by committing to:
– Improve physical health by eliminating toxic and hazardous substances and creating healthy and regenerative environmental conditions.
– Nurture the mental wellness and wellbeing of people who use our spaces.
– Building social health by fostering better connections between people and strengthening community.
– Promote ecological health by preferring processes that restore and regenerate air, water, and other natural systems.
Design for Equity:
Social equity and climate justice are central to cohesive, safe, and resilient communities. Interior design professionals promote diversity, inclusion, and equity by committing to:
– Design to benefit people with different backgrounds and needs, equally and fairly.
– Include and reflect the perspectives of underrepresented communities in our work process.
– Make design choices that directly support the health and prosperity of vulnerable communities in our work product.
– Prioritize access and a positive experience for all people, regardless of visible and invisible differences.
The Interior Design Pledge for Positive Impact was created by:
with inputs from leading firms and other organizations.
Look for resources and guidance from these organizations on how you can meet your commitment to the Interior Design Pledge for Positive Impact.