ASHRAE Unveils 2025–2028 Strategic Plan to Advance Healthy, Sustainable and Resilient Buildings
ASHRAE has released its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, developed to accelerate the transformation to a more sustainable built environment through global leadership in indoor environmental quality (IEQ), decarbonization and workforce development.
The plan centers on three overarching goals:
- Lead globally in IEQ, decarbonization and resilience through widely adopted standards, alliances and member-driven technical resources.
- Deliver impact-focused engagement by tailoring outreach to key stakeholders, empowering professionals and forging partnerships that strengthen the HVAC&R and built-environment workforce.
- Expand access to ASHRAE’s knowledge and opportunities by removing structural, financial and communication barriers and elevating the role of chapters and regions as local innovation hubs.
“Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is about advancing buildings that truly support human well-being,” said 2025–26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “This plan ensures that ASHRAE’s work translates into real-world benefits which include cleaner air, safer indoor spaces, and communities that are better equipped to thrive in a changing climate.”
Four Strategic Initiatives
• Healthy, Sustainable and Resilient Communities
ASHRAE will accelerate the development and adoption of standards, best practices and technical guidance that enhance indoor environmental quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the resilience of buildings and communities in the face of climate-related and environmental challenges.
• Empowered Workforce
As a continuous focus, the Society will grow its education and professional development efforts to help close the global skills gap. ASHRAE aims to prepare engineers, technicians and decision-makers with the tools and knowledge needed to implement IEQ improvements, achieve decarbonization goals and strengthen resilience across the built environment.
• Organizational Agility
ASHRAE will invest in digital transformation and streamlined communication platforms to improve the speed and clarity of information sharing between chapters, regions, technical committees and industry partners, ensuring the Society remains responsive, collaborative and impactful.
• Emerging Technologies
The Society will actively identify, evaluate and promote emerging innovations, including AI-powered systems and smart building technologies, that support integrated solutions for energy efficiency, occupant health and operational performance.
Key Enablers
• Rigorous Research
ASHRAE’s technical work will continue to be grounded in impartial, high-quality research.
• Artificial Intelligence
ASHRAE will leverage automation and advanced analytics to improve decision-making across the design, construction and operations lifecycle.
• Global Network
With a broad and diverse membership base, ASHRAE will continue to foster collaboration across disciplines, regions, and sectors to ensure that its collective expertise drives meaningful solutions for global building challenges.
Implementation of the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is already underway, with ASHRAE aligning its programs, standards development and outreach efforts to reflect the plan’s priorities. The Society will provide ongoing updates and progress reports as it works to deliver measurable outcomes.
