NewsIWBI launches the International Healthy Buildings Accord

Throughout the year, IWBI will mobilise its global community of healthy building leaders, practitioners and advocates to gather signatures for the Accord, with the goal of presenting it to national governments, international bodies such as the United Nations, and global health organisations, urging action and implementation of its recommendations.
Content Team2 weeks ago8 min

A new initiative has been launched, backed by some of the biggest names in the industry. The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organisations and communities, in collaboration with renowned health luminaries, building science experts and industry leaders, today announced the launch of the International Healthy Buildings Accord. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to redefine the future of our built environment, emphasising the critical role of health in building design, construction and operations.

The Accord, shaped by contributions from foremost health authorities and informed by an extensive and thorough body of health and buildings research and scientific evidence, outlines the imperative for healthy buildings, key focus areas and strategic policy actions necessary to accelerate healthy buildings worldwide. It emphasises the importance of indoor air quality, water quality, healthy materials and design practices that prioritise human health as well as environmental sustainability.

“The International Healthy Buildings Accord embodies our shared vision and serves as a global clarion call, urging the world’s policymakers and health leaders to do their part to help accelerate people-first buildings for everyone, everywhere,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. “We invite healthy building champions to unite around the imperative of making sure the places and spaces where we live our lives enhance our health and well-being, not compromise it.”

Throughout the year, IWBI will engage with its global community, including public health professionals, architects, engineers, facility managers, developers, business leaders, researchers and others, to gather support and collect signatories for the Accord. The campaign will culminate in presenting the Accord to national governments, the United Nations and its agencies, and international health institutions, including the World Health Organization, at the end of the year.

The Accord calls for the world’s governments to prioritise health in buildings, highlighting the need for strategic policy actions in areas such as building codes, financial incentives, public-private partnerships, and research and innovation.

By endorsing the Accord, signatories are also committing to play a role in helping transform the built environment into a healthier, more sustainable space for current and future generations.

“As the Accord affirms, healthy buildings are a fundamental human right. Our buildings, where we spend 90% of our lives, should help protect and enhance our health, including clean air to breath and clean water to drink,” said Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States.The International Healthy Buildings Accord not only represents our shared vision for healthy buildings, but also our call to action, ringing the alarm about key policy actions that subnational and national governments need to consider and adopt to accelerate change.”

To date, the Accord has more than 200 signatories, including WELL APs, as well as these notable leaders:

  • Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States
  • Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI
  • Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
  • Cheryl Durst, EVP and CEO, International Interior Design Association
  • Lawrence Sloan, CEO, American Industrial Hygiene Association
  • Khoi Vo, CEO, American Society of Interior Designers
  • Christhina Candido, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne
  • Yasushi Kinoshita, Representative Member, Eminence Partners
  • Esther Sternberg, Research Director, University of Arizona
  • Stephen Huddart, Adjunct Professor, University of Victoria
  • Sean O’Reilly, Global SVP, AAF International
  • Prateek Khanna, COO, IWBI
  • Nora Wang Esram, Senior Director for Research, ACEEE
  • Tracy Backus, Director of Sustainable Programs, Teknion
  • Rick Fedrizzi, Executive Chairman, IWBI

“I’m excited to see as the healthy building movement mobilizes around the Accord,” said Jason Hartke, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Advocacy. “It’s our chance to speak with one voice and tell all our leaders to take note and take action by embracing the policy prescriptions in the Accord, ensuring that the places and spaces where we live, work and play contribute positively to our health and well-being.”

For more information about the International Healthy Buildings Accord and how to become a signatory, please visit www.wellcertified.com.

 

Content Team

Work in Mind is a content platform designed to give a voice to thinkers, businesses, journalists and regulatory bodies in the field of healthy buildings.

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