The 6 Pillars of Climate Week 2025: What They Mean for Designers
Written by AD&V®
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | AD&V® is dedicated to advanced and energy-efficient sustainable architecture & interior design that enhances people’s experience of the world and improves their lives.
CLIMATE WEEK NYC 2025 IS MORE THAN A CALENDAR OF EVENTS, IT'S A GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION.
This year, the summit is organized around six foundational pillars: Technology, Finance, Health, Food, Nature & Biodiversity, and Mobility. For designers, these themes offer a framework to rethink how we shape the built environment in response to the climate crisis.
Our CEO, Cristina Villalón, participated in the “Making the Ten Principles Work: From Commitment to Implementation” Panel. The panel focused on the United Nations Global Compact's Ten Principles and how they can be meaningfully embedded across governance, strategy, and operations within business. It's our hope that this inspires other companies and organizations to take action and embed these principles into their own practices.
Explore how each pillar intersects with architecture and design, and how we can turn these ideas into action:
1. TECHNOLOGY: DESIGNING SMARTER, NOT HARDER
Technology is revolutionizing how we design, build, and maintain spaces. From AI-powered modeling tools to smart materials that adapt to environmental conditions, tech enables us to create buildings that are not only efficient but responsive.
Designers can now use digital twins to simulate building performance, integrate sensor-based systems for real-time energy optimization, and explore parametric design to reduce material waste. These innovations allow us to make smarter decisions throughout the design process.
2. FINANCE: MAKING SUSTAINABILITY BANKABLE
With the rise of green bonds, ESG reporting, and carbon credits, designers must understand how their choices affect a project's bottom line.
By advocating for certifications like LEED, collaborating with developers on ROI-driven sustainability, and designing with life-cycle costs in mind, we can ensure that sustainability is both impactful and economically viable.
Additionally, infographics and branded sustainability reports are powerful tools to communicate value to investors and stakeholders, making the financial case for green design clear and compelling.
3. FOOD: CULTIVATING EDIBLE ECOSYSTEMS
Food systems are central to climate resilience, and designers can play a key role by integrating agriculture into urban spaces and promoting food literacy through design.
We can create rooftop farms, vertical gardens, and community kitchens that bring food production closer to where people live. Public spaces can be designed to support farmers' markets and food co-ops, while materials and layouts can be chosen to encourage local food production.
4. HEALTH: DESIGNING FOR HUMAN & PLANETARY WELLNESS
The pandemic reminded us that health is deeply tied to our environments. Climate Week emphasizes the need for spaces that support physical and mental well-being.
Designers can prioritize natural ventilation, daylighting, and acoustic comfort to create healthier spaces. Incorporating biophilic elements helps reduce stress and improve focus, while designing for accessibility and inclusivity ensures that wellness is available to all.
5. NATURE & BIODIVERSITY: DESIGNING WITH THE WILD IN MIND
Biodiversity is not just a rural concern—it’s an urban design imperative. Climate Week calls for nature-positive solutions that restore ecosystems and celebrate life.
Designers can use native plants, green roofs, and wildlife corridors to support urban biodiversity. Buildings can be designed to accommodate pollinators and local wildlife, and materials can be selected for their regenerative and non-toxic properties.
Furthermore, patterns, textures, and imagery inspired by local flora and fauna can also help foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world.
6. MOBILITY: MOVING TOWARD LOW-CARBON CITIES
Mobility is about more than transit; it’s about access, equity, and climate resilience. Designers play a key role in shaping how people move through cities.
We can prioritize walkability, bike infrastructure, and transit-oriented development to reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life. Designing multi-modal hubs that connect communities and using universal design principles ensures mobility for all.
Clear wayfinding, intuitive layouts, and inclusive signage also make sustainable transit more accessible and encourage people to choose low-carbon options.
DESIGN AS CLIMATE ACTION
The six pillars of Climate Week 2025 offer a roadmap for designers to engage with climate action in meaningful ways. Whether you're working on a high-rise or a public plaza, these themes can guide your decisions and inspire innovation. Let’s design not just for today—but for a resilient, regenerative tomorrow.