ASHRAE releases 2025–28 strategic plan

ASHRAE says the strategic plan has been developed to accelerate the transformation to a more sustainable built environment through global leadership in indoor environmental quality (IEQ), decarbonisation and workforce development.

Its three main goals are:

1. Lead globally in IEQ, decarbonisation and resilience through widely adopted standards, alliances and member-driven technical resources.
2. Deliver impact-focused engagement by tailoring outreach to key stakeholders, empowering professionals and forging partnerships that strengthen the HVAC&R and built-environment workforce.
3. 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,” says 2025–26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade.

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.
• Organisational 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 2025–28 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.

You can read the full plan on the ASHRAE website.

Featured image courtesy of Kit Suman via Unsplash

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