Hodgdon’s remarks will deliver an urgent call to action, encouraging leaders to deliver on a forward-looking “health-first agenda” for educational institutions worldwide, leveraging the Global Framework’s roadmap to drive systemic improvements in indoor air quality across learning environments.

IWBI was at the heart of convening the inaugural Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids Summit, a first-of-its-kind national gathering held in Washington, D.C. this past summer. Now, Hodgdon will urge leading experts, advocates and policymakers to continue efforts to produce a forward-looking health-first agenda, focused on school modernization, healthy materials, indoor air quality and ventilation, emergency preparedness and resilience, healthy lighting and acoustics, pollution prevention, remediation of legacy environmental hazards, technical assistance for schools and communities, and priority research needs.

“The ultimate measure of a school building is whether it supports the health, well-being and learning of the people inside it.” – Rachel Hodgdon, IWBI

WHO:

• Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, International WELL Building Institute; Co-Chair, Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air

WHEN: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 8:00 – 9:30 AM ET

WATCH LIVE: UN Web TV – https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1h/k1hyad24qc

About the International WELL Building Institute

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

For final remarks and interview requests, please contact:

Yan Tai
SVP, Communications
International WELL Building Institute
yan.tai@wellcertified.com

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, September 23, 2026 /3BL/ – On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, Henkel is taking its long-standing commitment to science education to the next level. By the end of 2030, the company plans to establish five new permanent learning labs as part of its “Researchers’ World” initiative (in German: Forscherwelt): a new STEM center at Henkel’s headquarters in Düsseldorf and four additional Researchers’ World labs around the world. In addition, mobile concepts will bring hands-on science education to children in six additional countries. Henkel will invest a double-digit million-euro amount in the expansion of Researchers’ World by 2030.

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“Curiosity and a spirit of discovery are essential drivers of learning and innovation. Through our Researchers’ World initiative, we encourage children to ask questions, explore new ideas and develop their own solutions. By expanding the initiative internationally, we want to make high-quality STEM education accessible to as many young people as possible, regardless of their socioeconomic background,” says Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, patron of Henkel’s Researchers’ World and Chairwoman of Henkel’s Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Committee.

“As Henkel celebrates its 150th anniversary, we are expanding our Researchers’ World initiative to enable even more children to experience science, technology and innovation first-hand. We also want to reach young people who have had limited access to these opportunities so far. This project reflects our long-term commitment to social responsibility as a company, both as part of our anniversary year and beyond. We believe that education is an investment in the future of society, which is why we are committed to making a lasting contribution in this area,” says Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel.

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A global platform for curiosity, skills and equal opportunity

Founded in Düsseldorf in 2011, Researchers’ World has developed into a global education initiative that promotes early STEM education in more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America and South America. Through hands-on experiments and age-appropriate learning formats, children explore scientific concepts and discover the world of science through inquiry, experimentation and problem-solving. Since its launch, more than 130,000 children worldwide have participated in the program. As part of its expansion plans, Henkel aims to extend Researchers’ World to more than 30 countries by 2030.

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Düsseldorf as one of the five new permanent locations

Henkel will build a new STEM center at its headquarters in Düsseldorf. It will expand the existing concept and location with extracurricular formats, a wider target group, and dedicated access for external visitors. The center is expected to accommodate more than 10,000 children and young people annually. As one of the five new permanent locations, the Düsseldorf center will form part of a wider global network.

“By expanding our global network, we aim to further reduce financial and organizational barriers to STEM education and create accessible learning opportunities for children from different socioeconomic backgrounds and educational pathways,” explains Dr. Ute Krupp, who is responsible for the Researchers’ World initiative at Henkel. “Our learning programs support scientific literacy, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity – skills that help young people understand and shape a changing world.”

Further information and free teaching materials are available at www.henkel-researchers-world.com

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About Henkel
With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants and coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company’s three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2025, Henkel reported sales of about 20.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 3.0 billion euros. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 50,000 people worldwide – united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and a common purpose: “Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.” More information at www.henkel.com

Kathrin Brokmeier
Henkel
Corporate Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-8605
press@henkel.com

Hanna Philipps
Henkel
Corporate Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-3626
press@henkel.com

Disasters are getting worse — more frequent, more intense, and more expensive. Research shows that every dollar spent on preparedness can save up to $11 in response and recovery costs. FedEx uses our global network to help ship and strategically place preparedness supplies, and our planning expertise to help organizations run complex training scenarios so communities, clinics, and volunteers are ready before the next crisis arrives.

Stocking clinics with medicine before hurricane season

FedEx and Direct Relief stock and place Hurricane Prep Packs — caches of essential medicines and medical supplies developed with experts after Hurricane Katrina — at community health clinics in storm-prone areas before hurricane season starts. In 2025, Direct Relief prepositioned 83 packs across the U.S. coastline, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Central America. The largest packs can treat 1,000 people for 30 days. Learn more.

Training responders to be prepared during a crisis

FedEx supports Heart to Heart International’s disaster response training program, which prepares volunteer medical teams through virtual courses, hands-on simulations, and role-specific learning. After the 2025 Emergency Medical Team simulation, 100% of participants reported feeling more confident and prepared to deploy. Learn more.

Helping small businesses prepare for the worst

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) program, launched with support from FedEx to build small business resilience, has helped nearly 5,000 businesses better prepare for disasters since its inception in 2022. In 2025, R4R awarded grants to 37 businesses affected by events like the Los Angeles wildfires and severe storms in Texas, Washington, and additional locations. These grants helped cover critical expenses, such as employee salaries and repairing damaged inventory. Learn more.

Click here to view the Direct Relief hurricane prep pack video.

A flight to freedom: transporting big cats to a new home

When a group of medically fragile big cats needed safe transport from Mexico to a new home at the world’s largest carnivore sanctuary in Denver, Colorado, FedEx answered the call.

The need

The Invictus Foundation in Mexico rescued 11 big cats suffering from severe malnutrition, broken bones, neurological damage, and organ failure due to neglect and abuse. After providing stabilizing medical care, Invictus needed to find them a new home.

The destination

The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) in Colorado — the world’s largest carnivore sanctuary over 40,000 acres — would allow the animals to recover and live in natural habitats; however the 1,600 mile trip from Mexico would make ground transport challenging.

How FedEx delivered

FedEx chartered a special flight and used our global logistics expertise to fly the animals and their care team from Toluca, Mexico to Denver, Colorado safely.

The impact

All 11 animals — including lions Simba, Hunter, Nala, and Apollo; tigers Sheerkan and Corachi; jaguars Balam and Bagheera; puma Pakal; and bobcats Luna and Rufla — now have a permanent home where they can heal, thrive, and live freely.

Click here to see how we helped the big cats.

FedEx steps up for families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires

FedEx funding and charitable shipping helped get critical resources to survivors of the California wildfires. None of this work would have been possible without the tireless efforts of nonprofit organizations including The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Rise Against Hunger, Heart to Heart International, Feed the Children, Dream Center Los Angeles, Watchitgrow Inc., World Central Kitchen, International Medical Corps, Chewy in collaboration with the Animal Wellness Foundation and Direct Relief.

Our California-based team members also stepped up to support response efforts. Team members nominated local charities to receive $500,000 in company-sponsored grants, personally donated thousands of dollars to relief efforts through the FedEx Employee Giving Program, and volunteered to distribute food, essentials, books, and toys to over 400 families impacted by the fires.

The FedEx Los Angeles team also worked with Operation Warm to deliver 600 pairs of brand-new shoes to students at Jackson Elementary School in Altadena. Watch highlights from this event on CBS News Los Angeles.

Click here to see how we stepped up for families affected by wildfires.

Click here to see how we worked with Operation Warm in Altadena.

Learn more in the 2025 FedEx Cares Report

It started with a question. Late one evening in rural Quebec, a woman recently diagnosed with peripheral artery disease sat at her kitchen table, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Her doctor had explained the condition, but the words blurred under the weight of fear. She needed answers, clear ones, in her language, without medical jargon or judgment. She opened her laptop and typed a question into a new tool she had heard about through the Vascular Health Portal: “What does peripheral artery disease mean for me?”

The response came instantly. It was calm, clear, and reassuring. It came from Amélia.

Developed by the Quebec Society of Vascular Sciences (QSVS) in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, Amélia is a conversational digital assistant designed to help people navigate vascular health with confidence. More than a chatbot, it serves as a bridge between questions and understanding, between patients and credible information, and between healthcare systems and the communities they serve.

In a healthcare environment under increasing strain, tools like Amélia reflect a growing recognition that sustainability is not only about environmental impact, but also about building resilient, accessible health systems that work for everyone.

Health equity as a pillar of sustainability

Canada’s aging population is facing a growing burden of vascular disease—conditions that can be life-threatening if left undiagnosed or poorly understood. Yet access to timely, accurate, and digestible health information remains uneven, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Amélia was designed to help close this gap. The digital assistant provides 24/7 access to expert-guided vascular health information in both English and French. It does not require users to input personal data, preserving privacy while delivering clarity. And it meets people where they are, whether at home, in a clinic, or on a mobile device during a lunch break.

Boehringer aims to improve digital health literacy, which too often creates barriers for accessible healthcare: By supporting digital tools like Amélia, we’re investing in long-term health outcomes, helping reduce preventable disease burden, and contributing to a more inclusive healthcare landscape.

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Digital health literacy is no longer just an asset—it’s becoming essential for a resilient healthcare system.

Dr. Michel Vallée, Nephrologist and President of QSVS

A vision for connected care

Hundreds of kilometers away, in the heart of Toronto, another innovation is taking shape at the University Health Network (UHN), home to Toronto General Hospital, ranked among the top hospitals globally. Here, Boehringer Ingelheim and UHN are expanding their collaboration to address cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) conditions, where heart, kidney, and metabolic disorders intersect. These conditions are increasingly prevalent and among the most complex to manage, often requiring coordinated care across multiple specialties.

This partnership is designing Medly CRM, a digital platform to connect care across specialties. Building on the success of the original Medly program for heart failure patients, Medly CRM aims to integrate real-time data, virtual support, and proactive clinical interventions. Its goal: to reduce hospitalizations, improve coordination, and create a more sustainable model for chronic disease management.

For patients, this technology has the potential to reduce fragmented appointments and to improve more personalized care. For clinicians, it may enable better access to data and streamlined workflows. And for the healthcare system, it has the potential to enhance efficiency, strengthen resilience, and reduce environmental impact.

Innovation with purpose

While Amélia and Medly CRM address different stages of the patient journey, they share a common foundation: innovation designed with intent.

By reducing unnecessary travel, supporting care from home, and strengthening coordination across the system, these digital tools contribute to improved outcomes while also lowering environmental impact. This is particularly relevant as healthcare systems face increasing pressure from rising demand, constrained resources, and climate considerations.

CRM conditions are among the leading drivers of hospital admissions and healthcare costs in Canada. Cardiovascular diseases alone cost the Canadian economy more than $21 billion annually. In this context, digital solutions like Amélia and Medly CRM are not simply technological enhancements—they are strategic responses to systemic challenges.

• Cardiovascular disease costs Canada every year CAD > 21B. The digital assistants Amélia and Medly CRM help support physicians and connect patients to care.

Technology with a human touch

“What makes these tools powerful isn’t just their functionality—it’s their humanity,” says Dr. Rasha Eldesouky Abouelabbas, Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs Boehringer Ingelheim Canada.

Amélia does not replace healthcare providers; it complements them. By helping patients understand their condition, prepare questions, and navigate medical information, it supports more informed conversations and reduces the burden of misinformation. Users can print or email their conversations for future reference, helping them prepare for appointments or share insights with caregivers.

Medly CRM similarly focuses on empowerment. By providing real-time insights and enabling closer collaboration between patients and care teams, its goal is to shift chronic disease management from reactive treatment to active partnership.

Building a more sustainable healthcare system

For Boehringer, these initiatives are more than pilots. They are proof points that sustainability can be embedded directly into healthcare innovation—aligning health equity, digital transformation, and climate-conscious care delivery. By reducing hospital visits, enabling remote care, and supporting informed decision-making, Amélia and Medly CRM contribute to healthier people and a more resilient healthcare system.

And this is only the beginning. Their success highlights a broader opportunity to apply digital and AI-enabled solutions across other chronic conditions—advancing a model of care that is inclusive, sustainable, and built around the needs of patients and providers alike.

Our commitment

By 2030, we aim to expand access to healthcare for 50 million people, investing 35 billion EUR in health innovation and research to tackle non-communicable diseases and an additional 250 million EUR in partnerships to combat emerging infectious diseases. To achieve these ambitious goals, we partner with leading healthcare organizations that share our commitment.

About University Health Network (UHN)

UHN is Canada’s hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. www.uhn.ca

About the Quebec Society of Vascular Sciences (QSVS)
The QSVS is a charitable organization dedicated to fostering professional exchange among a variety of healthcare professionals (family physicians, specialists, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, and more) and informing the public about vascular health. Through initiatives like the www.yourvascularhealth.ca portal and Amélia, the QSVS promotes research, innovation, and excellence in patient care across Quebec and Canada.

Read more on Imagine – Boehringer Ingelheim’s sustainability story hub.
 
*Image credits: Header picture, content video, and static illustrations: Boehringer Ingelheim. Quote picture: Paul Ducharme, photographe.

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This park came from GP’s active reclamation process. As part of the mining plan, the land was restored to prairie and grassland and a water source was rebuilt for wildlife habitat. Coyotes, beavers, bats, and migratory birds are back, and riders now have a safe, legal place to ride.

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For Georgia-Pacific employees in Fort Dodge, the park sits down the road from where they work. It shows the plan for land after mining: habitat first, then recreation, then something the whole community uses.

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We’re proud to have been a part of this awesome project, and are always excited to see it being put to use!

See more ways that we’re a part of reclaiming tomorrow

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About Georgia-Pacific 
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose and building products. Our familiar consumer brands include Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Quilted Northern®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its Georgia-Pacific Recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs approximately 30,000 people directly and creates more than 80,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com/about-us. For news, visit: news.gp.com. Follow Georgia-Pacific on LinkedIn, Meta, Instagram, X and YouTube.

View original content here.

As one of the most accomplished athletes in professional basketball history, Leslie helped transform women’s sports and inspire generations of young athletes throughout her time playing for the Los Angeles Sparks. Her career set new standards for excellence, leadership and perseverance, while her visibility and success helped expand opportunities for women and girls pursuing their dreams in sports.

The installation recognizes not only Leslie’s achievements as a champion and pioneer, but also her lasting contributions to the cultural fabric of Los Angeles. Throughout her career, she demonstrated how sports can serve as a platform for empowerment, representation and community engagement, creating a legacy that continues to resonate across generations.

For decades, Crypto.com Arena has served as a gathering place where Los Angeles celebrates individuals whose accomplishments have helped shape the city’s identity. The addition of Leslie’s statue further strengthens the venue’s role as a destination where stories of achievement, leadership and inspiration remain accessible to residents and visitors from around the world.

The tribute arrives at a time of unprecedented growth and visibility for women’s sports, reflecting the increasing recognition of athletes whose contributions have expanded opportunities and challenged barriers. By preserving and celebrating these stories, institutions like Crypto.com Arena help ensure that future generations can see themselves reflected in the leaders and trailblazers who came before them.

Beyond commemorating an athletic career, the statue stands as a symbol of the power of representation and the importance of honoring individuals whose influence reaches beyond competition. Leslie’s legacy continues to inspire young people to pursue excellence, embrace leadership opportunities and create positive change within their communities.

As visitors gather in Star Plaza, they will encounter a lasting tribute to an athlete whose impact helped shape the future of basketball and elevate the profile of women’s sports globally. The monument reinforces the idea that achievement is measured not only by championships and accolades, but also by the ability to inspire others and create opportunities for future generations.

The addition of Lisa Leslie’s statue reflects AEG’s ongoing commitment to celebrating individuals whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on sports, culture and community. By honoring transformative leaders and preserving their stories, Crypto.com Arena continues to serve as a landmark where excellence, inspiration and civic pride intersect.

By Khadija Allen

It has been said that nothing happens without electricity. From industry to small mom-and-pop businesses, to households across America, the utility industry provides the power people need to live their lives, enjoy their pastimes and make things happen. And in July, the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans provided the backdrop for yet another great conversation on the pivotal role of women in shaping the future of the utility industry.

The setting was the Global Black Economic Forum Business Summit and the panel, moderated by John Hudson, Entergy’s chief external affairs officer, offered a thoughtful conversation with two nationally recognized utility industry leaders: Colette Honorable, Chief Legal Officer, Compliance and Corporate Secretary at Exelon, and Nicole Daggs, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services at NextEra.

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Hudson kicked off the session with a warm welcome to the Gulf South region, which is quickly becoming the home to much of the transformation underway in the utility industry, and he helped set the stage for a conversation about the forces reshaping the U.S. energy landscape. From grid modernization and the clean energy transition, to evolving customer expectations and the growing urgency for resilient operations, he underscored the complexity of the moment. Amid this rapid transformation, he emphasized one priority that must remain front and center: preparing the next generation of energy professionals, including elevating women’s leadership to help guide the industry’s future.

“I had the privilege of moderating a powerful conversation on women leading the future of the utility industry. Grateful to join Exelon’s Colette Honorable and NextEra’s Nicole Daggs—two exceptional leaders whose insights on leadership and preparing the next generation were truly inspiring,” said Hudson. “I left encouraged by the momentum and the growing community of women driving our industry forward.”

The discussion opened with a candid look at the landscape utilities are navigating today. Panelists talked about everything from how utilities are proactively addressing rising affordability pressures and aging infrastructure to proactive regulatory engagement and fast-moving technology shifts. They also underscored the current opportunities to modernize the grid, roll out smarter digital tools, and use data to stay ahead of what customers need. Hudson and the panelists agreed that as they push forward, they’re equally focused on supporting the customers who potentially feel any cost increase the most — ensuring modernization doesn’t leave anyone behind.

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Entergy’s own Fair Share Plus pledge was noted as a model for how utilities are addressing the growth opportunity from data centers locating in their service territory in a responsible way that protects all customers and ensures economic and community benefits in the areas where they are locating.

Honorable and Daggs shared candid reflections on navigating transformation at scale. They discussed making tough decisions in moments when leadership and clarity were critical, and spotlighted technologies—like AI, automation and grid intelligence—that are already redefining how utilities operate. Both emphasized that modernization must never compromise reliability, and that thoughtful leadership is essential as utilities transition to more sustainable and efficient systems.

“AI is not something we should be fearful of, what we have seen at our company is just the opposite – we give our employees the opportunity to experiment, to pilot and use AI as their superpower,” said Daggs. “Whether it’s to look for a job, to think about an opportunity, to come up with a business idea our community needs to embrace it because we can really use it to elevate ourselves.”

Resilience emerged as a multidimensional priority—spanning operations, workforce readiness, and community trust. The panelists spoke about the responsibility utilities have to support vulnerable customers, deepen engagement, and communicate transparently. Investments in community partnerships, targeted programs, and employee development were highlighted as essential to strengthening resilience over the long term.

The conversation then turned to the future workforce, especially the vast opportunities for women entering the energy sector. If you think of any discipline that exists in business, from engineers, customer service and accounting, to finance, legal and even public relations, it exists within the utility industry. Despite the role or discipline, Daggs and Honorable identified the skills that will define tomorrow’s leaders, including adaptability, digital fluency, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to lead through uncertainty. They shared personal career moments that shaped their journeys and spoke candidly about the importance of seeking mentors and sponsors, cultivating influence, and building confidence in male dominated spaces, as well as taking ownership of career growth.

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“There have been several moments in my career when I thought, I’m just going to take a leap of faith and try something new and different,” said Honorable. “And now, here I am, leading at the highest level of a corporation—something I never imagined for myself. Along the way, I’ve learned that our industry isn’t just about power lines and plants; it’s about people. It’s about building resilient communities, making energy more affordable, and investing wisely so families and businesses can thrive. I share that because I want other women to know: take that leap. Believe in the possibility of your own success, even before you can see it—and know that your voice and leadership can help shape the future of energy.”

Throughout the panel, Daggs and Honorable reinforced themes of courage, curiosity and embracing opportunities during their careers even before feeling fully ready.

Hudson wrapped up the discussion encouraging emerging female leaders across the industry to step forward with confidence. He called on all attendees to foster mentorship, practice allyship, and help shape a more inclusive and resilient energy workforce.

Click here to read more on Essence

In the narrow alleys of Seoul’s Jung-gu district, a curb just a few inches high can become an immovable wall.

During a recent volunteer activity, employees from Boehringer Ingelheim Korea attempted to navigate the Seoul office in wheelchairs—pushing up inclines and jolting over uneven surfaces. “I never realized how hard this was until a single step brought everything to a halt,” one volunteer admitted after the simulation.

Beyond the office, teams then went into the field on foot to investigate stores and document real accessibility barriers. For millions of people in South Korea with limited mobility, this is not a simulation. It is daily life.

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South Korea has a rapidly aging population. Today, nearly 15 million people (around 30% of the population) experience mobility challenges, including older adults, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and parents with strollers.

While ramp installation standards were expanded in 2022, 98.2% of retail stores remain exempt, leaving essential places such as pharmacies, clinics, and neighborhood shops difficult or impossible to access.

In December 2024, South Korea’s Supreme Court formally recognized accessibility as a constitutional fundamental right, reinforcing that mobility is not a convenience, but a matter of dignity, participation, and equity. Quickly following the ruling, Boehringer Ingelheim Korea became the first private company to install ramps in a local community. Yet policy change alone does not remove physical barriers already built into everyday environments.

From awareness to action

That gap is where the “Moving Forward” campaign begins. Guided by the message “Everyone’s life must move forward,” the initiative is a long-term collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim Korea and MUUI, a social enterprise founded in 2016 to advance accessibility rights for people with limited mobility.

Rather than focusing on awareness alone, the campaign takes a practical approach: identifying real-world barriers and removing them—one ramp at a time. Key to achieving this was the thoughtful coordination with administrative offices such as the Jung-gu Administration Office and the Jung-gu Welfare Centre for Disabled People.

From April to October 2025, the initiative focused on Yaksu-dong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu with one of Seoul’s highest concentrations of residents with mobility challenges. Employees walked the same routes as residents, assessed street-level barriers, and experienced firsthand where everyday movement becomes restricted.

Through on-site surveys and accessibility training including wheelchair simulations, the team identified 33 potential wheelchair ramp installation points, prioritizing locations where steep slopes, aging infrastructure, and frequent foot traffic intersected. “A single curb can feel like a mountain,” one participant reflected after the exercise.

Building access, together

From these assessments, 10 key facilities and storefronts were selected to receive customized ramps. Twenty employees participated in every step—measuring entrances, preparing surfaces, and installing ramps alongside MUUI experts.

This hands-on model was intentional. “Awareness comes first,” said Dongho Park, a participating employee. “Once you are aware, you gain the ability to act. That’s what this experience taught me.”

For MUUI, the collaboration reflects a broader shift from isolated accessibility improvements to shared responsibility.

Accessibility is a right everyone should naturally enjoy in daily life. Through this partnership, I hope awareness grows and communities move closer to guaranteeing mobility as a right, not a restriction.

Yun-hui Hong, Chairperson of MUUI

Beyond a volunteer day

What distinguishes the Moving Forward campaign is its commitment to continuity. “This agreement is not a one-off activity,” says Ana-Maria Boie, General Manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Korea. “With our rapidly aging population, accessibility has become a critical social issue. We are committed to working with communities to create environments where everyone can move safely and freely—today and in the future.”

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By pairing infrastructure improvements with local insight and employee engagement, the campaign moves beyond volunteering towards sustainable, community-embedded change. As a result of the campaign’s success, Moving Forward is now one of Boehringer Ingelheim Korea’s strategic sustainability initiatives.

Looking ahead, the initiative aims to enhance social accessibility and participation for people with limited mobility. By fostering closer collaboration between corporate and community stakeholders, the initiative seeks to strengthen shared responsibility, while also serving as a model for other organizations seeking to address social challenges through sustainable development.

Why accessibility matters to everyone

Mobility challenges are not limited to one group. Life can change in unexpected ways: a twisted ankle, a stroller for a newborn, caring for an aging parent. In those moments, accessibility becomes more than a policy issue. It becomes freedom.

Each ramp installed through the Moving Forward campaign represents more than concrete and paint. It is a doorway to healthcare, employment, and community life.

Accessibility is not for a few. It is for all of us. And when barriers are removed, life—quite literally—moves forward.

Read more on Imagine – Boehringer Ingelheim’s sustainability story hub.

*Image credits: Header, content pictures and video: Boehringer Ingelheim

The far-reaching roadmap sets out nine interconnected levers of market transformation, 40 strategic focus areas and nearly 180 recommendations to drive systemic change and deliver healthier indoor air at scale. 

NEW YORK, September 22, 2026 /3BL/ – The Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air today launched the Global Framework for Action: Advancing Healthy Indoor Air through Societal Engagement and Market Transformation, a landmark global roadmap designed to elevate and embed healthy indoor air as a public health imperative and a market priority, ultimately institutionalizing it as an everyday expectation in buildings everywhere.

Unveiled during Climate Week in New York, just one year after the Commission’s launch at the United Nations, the Framework provides a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for tackling one of the world’s most consequential yet underrecognized public health challenges. It calls on governments, multilateral organizations, public health institutions, businesses, building practitioners, researchers, financial institutions, professional organizations and communities to move beyond isolated interventions and align the policies, investments, innovations and everyday decisions that shape the air people breathe indoors.

The Framework draws on the latest scientific evidence and a year-long collaborative process involving more than 200 Commissioners from over 40 countries, bringing together expertise and experience from dozens of disciplines and sectors. They developed 40 strategic focus areas and nearly 180 recommendations spanning the major levers of market transformation that can move healthy indoor air from growing awareness to widespread and sustained adoption. The Framework works toward a shared global vision: a future in which healthy indoor air is expected, measured, valued, financed, governed and continuously improved across all the places people live, learn, work and heal. Put simply, healthy indoor air should be the norm, not the exception.

“Last year, we came together at the United Nations to launch the Global Commission and affirm through the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air that healthy indoor air is a fundamental human right,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO of the International WELL Building Institute. “Today, we are putting that commitment into action. Over the past year, more than 200 leaders from more than 40 countries, including many of the world’s leading scientists, technical experts and advocates in healthy indoor air, have come together to build a first-of-its-kind global roadmap that aligns science, education, policy, innovation, investment and public demand. We did not need another report diagnosing the problem or explaining why it matters. We needed an actionable plan for changing the systems, markets and expectations that shape the air inside our buildings. That is what this Framework delivers: a practical path for leaders all around the world to align their efforts and uphold the right to healthy indoor air for everyone, everywhere.”

The launch comes at a moment of profound urgency and possibility. Household air pollution alone contributes to more than three million premature deaths each year, but mortality is only the starkest measure of a far wider toll. Poor indoor air increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, worsens asthma and allergies, contributes to the spread of airborne infection, and undermines learning, cognitive performance, productivity and quality of life.

At the same time, the solutions are increasingly within reach. Effective source control, moisture and mold prevention, healthier materials, ventilation, filtration, monitoring and sound building operations can reduce exposure and help homes, schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, public spaces and other critical infrastructure better protect and promote health.

“For decades, we have advanced the science and unequivocally demonstrated that better indoor air is essential to human health. It can help prevent premature deaths, reduce acute and chronic health risks and improve learning, thinking, creativity, productivity, performance and quality of life,” said Dr. Lidia Morawska, Co-Chair of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air and Distinguished Professor at Queensland University of Technology. “We know the difference better indoor air can make, and many of the tools we need to support it are already available. What has been missing is a coordinated, transdisciplinary strategy for applying what we know at the scale this fundamental requirement for human health demands. The Global Framework for Action provides the bridge from research to decisions, and from decisions to healthier buildings and healthier lives.”

Nine Interconnected Levers of Action
The Framework, a shared strategic roadmap, shows how nine mutually reinforcing levers can shift markets, institutions, professional practice and public expectations. They include:

• Building awareness and public engagement
• Innovation, research and development
• Advocacy and policy development
• Education and training
• Driving demand and market incentives
• Financing and resource mobilization
• Codes, standards and leadership certifications
• Partnerships and collaboration
• Implementation, monitoring and evaluation

The levers are designed to reinforce one another. Research and evidence can inform standards and building practice. Innovation can affect technical feasibility, reach and cost. Policy can create demand and accountability. Financing can accelerate deployment. Education can build the workforce needed to deliver widespread improvements. Public awareness and trusted performance information can reinforce every other lever.

“Partnership is leadership at its best, and this Framework shows what becomes possible when committed leaders across disciplines and regions focus on what they can accomplish together,” said Jason Hartke, Secretariat of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air and Executive Vice President at IWBI. “The defining strength of this Framework lies not in any single recommendation, but in how it aligns the full range of levers needed to drive market transformation and deliver healthy indoor air at scale. That coordination creates momentum no discipline or sector could generate alone. It also makes clear that we all have a role to play and invites each of us to step forward and do our part to bring healthier indoor air within reach for all.”

A Public Health Imperative
The Framework is grounded in the Commission’s conviction that access to healthy indoor air is a fundamental human right. To advance this public health imperative, the Framework’s recommendations are guided by core principles including equity, locality, trust, scientific evidence, accountability, scalability, value creation and the recognition that human health, climate action and resilience are inextricably linked.

“Public health’s greatest victories often come from preventing harm before it occurs,” said Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States and Co-Chair of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air. “Healthy indoor air is far more than a building issue. Ensuring that everyone can breathe healthy indoor air is a sacred responsibility, one that influences health, opportunity and resilience throughout life. This Framework brings public health and the building sector to the same table, uniting us behind a common vision and giving us a shared plan of action to protect people in every community.”

A Global Foundation for Country-Level Leadership
The Global Framework provides a common starting point, not a one-size-fits-all plan. Countries and communities can use the Framework to identify the actions most relevant to their governance structures, climates, building stocks, economic conditions and public health needs. The next phase of the Commission’s work will support national organizations and coalitions as they develop tailored Blueprints for Action that translate the Framework’s shared strategic direction into country-specific priorities, implementation pathways, financing approaches and stakeholder responsibilities. The Commission will continue mobilizing partnerships, strengthening professional capacity, supporting innovation and elevating healthy indoor air across national and international policy agendas.

“We hope this Framework helps countries, organizations, industries, communities and leaders around the world join this growing movement, strengthen collaboration, turn ideas into action and propel this movement forward,” said the Commission Co-Chairs.

The Global Framework for Action is available through the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air at wellcertified.com/global-framework-for-action.

What Other Commissioners Are Saying

“The launch of the Global Framework for Action marks an important step from recognizing healthy indoor air as a priority to establishing a shared path for meaningful progress. Through my work at the intersection of data, buildings and public health, I have seen how clear guidance and reliable evidence can help decision-makers turn good intentions into lasting improvements for the people who live, learn and work indoors. I’m excited to see this framework inspire collaboration and accelerate meaningful action around the world.”

— Serene Almomen, PhD, CEO, Attune

“The Global Framework for Action helps resurface the critical issue of indoor air quality in the built environment. It sets out a common global benchmark that can be applied across the sector, and highlights the power of the collective in making progress on this critical topic.”

— Mark McKenna, Global Sustainability Director, Arcadis

“Healthy indoor air shapes how well we live, learn, work, and thrive, yet it is still too often overlooked. My work as an educator and built environment professional across countries and cultures has strengthened my belief that everyone deserves indoor air that supports their health and well-being. Serving on the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air gives me the opportunity to bring the Commission’s practical roadmap into my teaching and mentoring, preparing the next generation to create healthier buildings and more equitable communities.”

— Bahar Armaghani, Instructional Associate Professor, University of Florida, Director

“Historically, the building sector has treated energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality as competing priorities. The Global Framework for Action fundamentally breaks that compromise, proving that human health and climate action can advance hand in hand. The technologies and systems to deliver clean air while reducing carbon emissions and operating costs are commercially viable today. As commissioners, our mission is to make healthy indoor air an expected, measurable, and universal standard in every community. Now, through the levers of market transformation outlined in this Framework, we have the collective roadmap to turn these proven solutions into the global norm.”

— Mauro J. Atalla, SVP and Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer, Trane Technologies

“At a time when so many forces and causes are competing for our attention, it’s critical not to lose sight of the simple truth that all people deserve access to healthy indoor air. As stewards of the built environment, it is empowering and reassuring to contribute to guidance that goes beyond the ‘why’ and delivers a clear outline of ‘how’ to hold ourselves and our peers accountable for creating spaces where everyone can thrive.” — Jessica Bantom, Global Leader of Equity, Diversity and Belonging, DLR Group,

“The Commission absolutely, positively did its work. Never before has such a distinguished group of professionals gathered together to tackle such a meaningful problem in the built environment. This effort has legs and is destined to make a difference.”

— John H. Barrett, Chairman Emeritus, ISSA

“Healthy indoor air needs to move from something we measure occasionally to something we understand and improve continuously. This Framework gives governments, building owners and industry a shared path to turn the science into practical action, and ultimately make healthy indoor environments the norm.”

— Liam Bates, CEO and Co-Founder, Kaiterra

“We are our environment. As we design and engineer high-performance environments for human wellbeing globally, a shared focus on indoor air quality elevates. As humans we are continuously exchanging molecules with every breath. Bringing in all that surrounds us. Each day, we inhale approximately 11,000 liters of air, carrying oxygen that sustains our bodies, hearts, and minds, while also bringing in pollutants, particulate matter, pathogens, and other contaminants can enter deeply into our biological systems. In regions such as Delhi NCR, severe winter pollution places extraordinary pressure. The design of our buildings, workplaces, educational centers, and living environments all get to step up. Our research and implementation underscore the importance of measurable PM 2.5 targets, appropriate filtration, pressure management, continuous monitoring, and clear operational methodologies. We are what we breathe, and this places a profound responsibility on all of us to advance the science and practice of indoor air quality excellence. Together it is paramount that we design, specify, construct, and operate our built environments with deliberate, conscious care, stewarding the health of present and future generations.” — Dr. Christine Bruckner, FAIA, HKIA, R.A., HKIUD, LEED AP, RESET AP Fellow, WELL AP, WELL Faculty and Concept Advisor, BREEAM AP, BEAM Professional, LBC Ambassador, Fitwel Ambassador, GBCI TRUE Advisor, BG-EHS Practitioner, AIA International Former President | M Moser Associates, Global Director

“As a physician, I see healthy indoor air as prevention before the patient reaches the clinic. This Global Framework turns prevention into action by making healthy indoor environments a societal norm—with transformative potential for health across the Global South and beyond.”

— Dr. Ranga Reddy Burri, President, Infection Control Academy of India

“The unveiling of this landmark framework is an important step forward in our collective effort to make healthy indoor environments a fundamental part of every school. It gives educators, school leaders, policymakers, and the professionals who support them a practical framework to move from simply identifying indoor environmental challenges to implementing measurable, lasting solutions. As we continue working to improve the health, safety, and learning environments of our children, this framework provides an important foundation for meaningful action and global collaboration.”

— Peter Cantone, Founder, Smart Air Defense

“Healthy indoor air is fundamental to human health, productivity, and a better quality of life, yet it remains one of the greatest untapped opportunities for creating positive societal impact. The Global Framework for Action provides a much-needed roadmap for aligning policy, innovation, and investment to accelerate the market transformation for healthier indoor air in buildings and spaces around the world. As a representative of the banking and financial services sector, I believe finance can play a powerful role in scaling solutions that deliver healthier buildings, stronger communities, and more resilient economies around the world.”

— Chris Castro, Founding Director and EVP-Chief Sustainability Officer, Climate First Bank

“In subtropical Asia, healthy indoor air is not a comfort question but a survival one — heat, humidity and outdoor pollution leave people with no good way to simply open a window. Having spent two decades building healthy building standards in Taiwan, I see the Global Framework for Action as the bridge we lacked between science and public policy. It is time to make healthy indoor air a global standard — not a privilege.”

— Dr. Che-Ming Chiang, Distinguished Professor, Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University

“The launch of the Global Framework for Action is an important step in giving healthy indoor air a more consistent place in public policy and professional practice. From the school sector, I see its greatest potential in helping turn concern about indoor air into clearer expectations and more informed action.”

— Tony Colaneri, Co-Founder, Illinois Stakeholders for Air Quality in Schools

“We celebrate the launch of the Global Framework for Action as an important milestone in advancing indoor air quality as a global health priority. In Brazil, national health regulations have addressed indoor air quality since 1998, including physical, chemical, and biological parameters, and today the Brazilian National Indoor Air Quality Plan (PNQAI) brings together more than 40 organizations working to raise awareness and promote coordinated action across the country. This Global Framework strengthens our shared commitment and reinforces the importance of collaboration among governments, academia, industry, health professionals, and civil society to create healthier indoor environments for all.”

— Leonardo Cozac, Chairman of the Board, ABRAVA

“For years I have taken histories that stopped at the patient’s front door — asking about smoking, rarely about ventilation, mould or the fuel they cook with. The Global Framework for Action gives clinicians what we have lacked: a shared basis for treating indoor air as a modifiable exposure rather than an invisible one. In the Caribbean, where so much of our non-communicable disease burden is environmental, that shift belongs in the consulting room as much as in the building code.”

— Safiya Cummings, Public Health Medical Officer, Port of Spain City Corporation

“The biggest challenges of our time cannot be solved by one profession, field, or solution. It has been amazing to see over 200 diverse experts from more than 40 countries come together on the Global Framework for Action to carve out multiple pathways for healthier indoor air for all!”

— Sandra Dedesko, Collaboratrice Scientifique, EPFL

“Healthy indoor air should no longer be seen as a nice-to-have, it should be a basic expectation and a fundamental part of the right to a healthy place to live and work. From a corporate real estate and workplace perspective, the Global Framework for Action can help turn this ambition into practical, scalable action, providing organizations with a shared foundation to make healthier indoor environments the norm rather than the exception.”

— Ömer Döne, Head of Sustainable Workplace Certifications, Sanofi

“The launch of the Global Framework for Action is a pivotal moment for the built environment, accelerating the global shift towards healthier buildings with improved indoor air quality. It also offers governments across Africa and worldwide a valuable opportunity to advance the Healthy Indoor Air agenda nationally.” — Jojo Ekuban, CEO, ChazahGlobal Ltd

“At New Buildings Institute, we believe healthy indoor air should be a fundamental outcome of every building—not a premium feature available only to those who can afford it. By embedding IAQ into building codes, performance standards, and retrofit investments, we can shift the conversation from upfront costs to the long-term health, resilience, and cost benefits that better buildings deliver. The Global Framework for Action makes the invisible visible and turns ideas into action.”

— Nora Wang Esram, CEO, New Buildings Institute

“It is a privilege to serve on this Commission alongside more than 200 colleagues from over 40 countries. Indoor air is invisible until we measure it, and what stays invisible never gets managed. We already know how to monitor indoor air continuously and to make the data meaningful for the people whose health depends on it; what the Global Framework for Action adds is the shared strategy to make that monitoring expected rather than exceptional. Now, working from a single roadmap, data we can trust, compare and act on is what will move healthy indoor air from aspiration to expectation, everywhere, not only in a handful of leading buildings.”

— María Figols, Chief Scientific Officer & Co-founder, inBiot

“For decades, indoor air pollution has been a hazard we couldn’t fully see or measure, which made it easy to overlook despite its enormous toll on public health. As a manufacturer of air quality monitoring instrumentation, we know that accurate, repeatable, and accessible data is the foundation of any real solution: you cannot manage what you cannot measure. This Framework’s push for global coordination is a vital signal to industry that the demand for reliable, affordable monitoring technology will only grow, and we’re committed to meeting it.”

— Adam Giandomenico, CEO, Particles Plus, Inc.

“I am honored to have been part of IWBI’s Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air and am excited to see the Global Framework for Action come to life. The spaces where we live, work, learn, and play have such a profound impact on our health and well-being, and I believe this framework can help create better indoor environments for people around the world.”

— Candi Hampton, VP Global Sustainability, Shaw Industries

“What we can measure and model, we can manage, and indoor air quality is now within that reach. The Global Framework for Action converts exposure science into a shared roadmap for standards, technology and policy, so that healthy indoor air becomes the norm in every building.”

— Prof. Mukesh Khare, Fellow of Wessex Institute of Great Britain; Fellow Institution of Engineers, India; DAAD Fellow, KIT, Germany; Member, High Level Task Force, Prime Minister Office, India; Board member, Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, Geneva

“The ability to raise the issues, collect quality data and drive solutions is a real strength of the framework. We are supporting the Global Framework for Action because it provides a powerful platform to identify and prioritise critical issues, build a strong evidence base, and translate insight into collective action. Its ability to connect quality data with practical solutions can strengthen decision-making, drive accountability, and accelerate meaningful, sustainable progress at a global level.”

— Dave Kieft, CEO, Raven Delta Group

“As the saying goes, ‘actions speak louder than words’. So let’s commit to work for a cleaner and healthier habitat for all.”

— Dr. Khee Poh Lam, Professor of Architecture and the Built Environment, National University of Singapore

“In trying times, this global action is so much needed to build brain trust, nurture talent and foster consensus on a resource, still under-valued, for everyone.”

— Joyce S. Lee, FAIA, WELL AP, LEED Fellow, President, IndigoJLD Green + Health

“Healthy indoor air should be treated as essential infrastructure, not an optional feature of a building. What excites me about the Global Commission is the opportunity to bring science, policy, technology and real-world implementation together, and turn growing awareness into practical action that can scale across countries, sectors and buildings.”

— Joakim Lindh, Managing Director, Airthings for Business

“As a global leader in sustainability and a leading flooring producer on four continents, Mohawk has been at the forefront of delivering improved air quality in public and private spaces through product innovation. We are completely aligned with the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air’s Global Framework for Action, and we are actively supporting the initiative’s goals by increasing the number of VOC-free products in our portfolio.”

— Malisa Maynard, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mohawk Industries

“The launch of the Global Framework for Action is a powerful reminder that meaningful progress happens when ambition is paired with action. From my vantage point working with organizations around the world, this framework provides a shared foundation to align stakeholders, accelerate impact, and turn global challenges associated with healthy IAQ into measurable outcomes.”

— Sean McCrady, Vice President Advisory, UL Solutions

“A key challenge for architecture is to look beyond design intent and understand how buildings actually perform in use, and what that means for the health of the people who occupy them. We need to make that performance visible through monitoring and connect real-world building performance with population health data, so measured evidence from buildings in use can shape future standards and support a more preventative approach to public health.”

— Dr. Gráinne McGill, Lecturer, Department of Architecture, School of the Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast

“As a physician who has spent decades working at the intersection of health, science, and the built environment, and as President of ASHRAE Ireland, I see this challenge from both a clinical and a technical perspective. Healthy indoor air can’t remain aspirational. It has to be measurable, verifiable, and built into the codes, standards, and certifications that shape our buildings. No single discipline can deliver that alone, and the Global Framework for Action gives us a collaborative, science-backed roadmap to finally make healthy indoor air the norm, not the exception.”

— Dr. John McKeon, Principal, iAIR Institute

“As a global practitioner focused on achieving flourishing by design across the Triple Helix of academia, industry, and government, I recognize indoor air quality as a fundamental human right. We cannot meaningfully design for health, well-being, performance, or flourishing while overlooking the air people breathe every day. The Global Framework for Action helps move indoor air from a technical consideration to a shared expectation—one that should shape the places where we live, learn, work, and heal.”

— Jenna Mikus, CEO, Eudae Group & Honorary Fellow, University of Melbourne

“Indoor air pollution is one of the most under-recognised public health hazards of our time, a silent, pervasive risk that affects billions of people daily, often invisibly, in the very spaces meant to protect them: their homes, schools and workplaces. As an aerosol scientist, I see this Framework as a critical step toward closing the evidence-to-action gap, ensuring that the scale of this hazard is finally matched by coordinated, science-led response across regions and sectors.”

— Anil Namdeo, Professor of Air Quality, Northumbria University, UK

“The Global Framework is a monumental step toward better indoor air quality for all. Thanks to all the commissioners and the organizers.”

— Paula Olsiewski, PhD, Contributing Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security

“Agadir was rebuilt around a seismic code after the devastating 1960 earthquake, and that code still shapes how more than a million people live across Greater Agadir today, because everyone who builds here works to the same standard. The Global Framework for Action gives us that shared standard for the air inside our buildings, at the moment most of the world’s remaining construction is happening in mid-sized cities like ours. What I welcome most is that it is measurable, because an indicator only gets funded once it is visible to everyone who has to act on it.”

— Zakaria Oulad, Vice-President, Urban Planning and Smart City Commission, City of Agadir, Morocco

“As we launch this Global Framework for Action from Latin America, we recognize that healthy indoor air is a cornerstone of resilient and sustainable communities. In rapidly urbanizing regions, integrating high-performance building standards is an urgent public health priority that directly protects our people and shapes our collective future.”

— Guillermo Simon Padros, Executive Director, Argentina Green Building Council

“Once more, the air quality community comes together under the supervision of IWBI to make a clear statement about the importance of indoor air quality and present the Global Framework for Action. At GO AQS, it is in our DNA to collaborate with all stakeholders and help with the communication and dissemination of something as fundamentally essential as the air we breathe. Breathe safely!”

— Sotirios Papathanasiou, Founder, Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS)

“As an interior designer, I’ve seen how profoundly the spaces we create shape the way people feel, focus, and thrive – and the air we breathe indoors is one of the most powerful, and most overlooked, levers we have. The IWBI Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air and its Global Framework give us the shared language, evidence, and standards to move air quality from an afterthought to a design imperative. I’m proud to serve as an ambassador because everyone deserves environments that support their health and well-being, and healthy indoor air is fundamental to that promise.”

— Kay Sargent, FASID, FIIDA, CID, LEED® AP, MCR.w, WELL AP, Senior Principal, Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors, HOK

“I’ve seen how the environments we create can shape people’s health, well-being and ability to thrive—from classrooms and workplaces to our homes. For India and the world, this Commission and its Global Framework for Action offer a unique opportunity to turn what we know into action, providing a common global direction while enabling locally relevant solutions that make healthy indoor air a fundamental part of the places we create.”

— Deepa Sathiaram, LEED Fellow, USGBC & WELL Faculty, Executive Director, En3 Sustainability Solutions

“Congratulations on taking this significant step toward improving indoor air quality for better health. As professionals and educators dedicated to sustainability and wellness from Buenos Aires, Argentina, we applaud the progress in prioritizing this issue on the global agenda.”

— Andres Schwarz, Professor, University of Buenos Aires

“Leadership sits at the intersection of seeing what must change and charting a path to make it happen. With this Global Framework, we are marking a new beginning and opening a new chapter, one in which leaders and all those committed to healthy indoor air, across sectors and around the world, have a shared agenda and clear pathways to act, align and drive progress together.” – Paul Scialla, Founder and CEO, Delos

“Forty years in HVAC and indoor air quality taught me this: what we do touches every breath, every day—comfort, health, and well-being for everyone. That’s real power. Clean, healthy indoor air isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental human right.”

— Chandra Sekhar, Professor, Department of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore

“If you don’t have good health, nothing else matters, and healthy air to breathe is paramount to a healthy lifestyle. It’s so inspiring to launch this Global Framework for Action, providing a playbook to drive positive change for global air quality in the decades ahead. Here’s to clean and healthy air for all people on planet Earth!”

— Drew Shula, Founder and CEO, Verdical Group

“We all know the importance of clean indoor air, and through the Framework, we now have a publicly available roadmap toward action. I’m extremely excited that it provides a set of consistent strategies that can be applied to varied markets across the world, especially in locations that are looking to expand their IAQ planning and knowledge capacity. Similarly, the Framework includes implementable solutions to drive impact that can be utilized by a wide variety of stakeholders and aspiring leaders across the public, private, and citizen sectors.”

— Andrew Snowhite, Founder, Snowhite Strategies

“Working in sustainable construction across Latin America, we see every day how much indoor air quality shapes people’s health and dignity — often invisibly. This framework gives us something powerful: a shared foundation to turn that invisible work into public policy, ensuring healthier air isn’t just built into individual projects, but guaranteed for entire communities.”

— Federico Steinvorth, Partner and Sustainability Director, SPHERA

“Buildings protect life. Everyone should have access to healthy indoor air, every day. Drawing on more than a decade of healthy building practice in China, we aim to improve indoor air quality in schools, healthcare facilities and community spaces through technological innovation, assess results through independent verification, and embed health protection in building upgrades and daily operations in support of Healthy China. We hope the Global Framework for Action will strengthen international collaboration and the exchange of practical experience, bringing affordable, scalable solutions for healthier indoor air to more people.”

— Steven Shuai Tao, Founder, Air Aurora

“Healthy indoor air should be something everyone can expect, wherever they live, learn or work. What I value most about this Framework is that it does not pretend there is a single fix; it brings policy, evidence, public awareness and market action together, giving countries a practical place to start. Its real promise is turning shared global ambition into cleaner air and better health in people’s everyday lives.”

— Martin Townsend, Growth Director, British Standards Institution (BSI)

“For decades, healthy indoor air has been an aspiration we design for and periodically measure. Operational AI gives us the ability to make it a continuously managed outcome—creating a unified understanding of buildings and their systems, interpreting changing conditions, and orchestrating action in real time across facilities and entire portfolios, while balancing health, comfort, energy and sustainability.”

— Bert Van Hoof, CEO, Willow

“For decades, indoor air has been the one environmental exposure we managed blind — unmeasured, unmapped and therefore unaccountable. Deploying air intelligence across schools and healthcare facilities in several countries has shown me the gap is not technology; it is consensus on what ‘good’ means and who is accountable for it. The Global Framework for Action closes that gap.”

— Narendra Babu Vattem, Founder and CEO, iSpatial Techno Solutions Inc. (Houston, USA) — Founder, SmartEco.AI

“For me, the launch of the Global Framework for Action represents a meaningful step toward bringing human health, climate, equity, and planetary health into the same conversation. From the Global South, where environmental and social vulnerabilities often overlap, it reinforces a core principle of planetary health: healthier people depend on healthier, more resilient environments — and evidence must be translated into equitable action.”

— Nelzair Vianna, Researcher in Public Health, Fiocruz, Brazil

“I’m excited to have contributed to the Global Framework for Action, which brings healthy indoor air to the fore as a critical part of the sustainable buildings agenda. At a time when the conversation around buildings is understandably focused on climate change, energy efficiency and resilience, the Framework highlights how these issues are interconnected, while keeping sight of the fundamental goal of healthy indoor air for everyone, everywhere.”

— Danjuma Waniko, President, Green Building Council Nigeria

“Poor indoor air quality harms everyone’s health, and as someone with lived experience of high clinical risk from airborne infection who works with others similarly affected, I know just how seriously it can impact people’s lives. It is inspiring to know how much could be done to make indoor air healthy for all, and how significant the benefits would be for workplaces, education and public health, yet deeply frustrating that this vital issue often receives so little attention. Launching a Global Framework for Action is an important first step towards making Healthy Indoor Air a reality—and a right—for everyone, and we all now have a role to play in making it happen.”

— Sally Witcher, Founder and Director, Inclusive New Normal

“The Global Framework for Action turns shared ambition into a clear route towards meaningful change. From a UK ventilation and indoor air quality perspective, its importance lies in connecting global thinking with practical action that delivers healthier buildings, cleaner air and better lives.”

— Nathan Wood, Managing Director, Farmwood Ltd

“Few countries realize the public health costs and the associated financial costs of indoor air pollution. In China, such financial cost in 2017 was 2880 billion Chinese Yuan which accounted for 3.45% of China’s GDP. Therefore, strengthening attention to indoor air quality and advancing practical action have become both an urgent public health priority and a timely opportunity. Improving indoor air quality will enhance people’s health and well-being greatly, and will also save the financial costs at hundreds of billions Chinese Yuan level.”

— Professor Yinping Zhang, Professor, Building Science and Technology Department, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University

About the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air
The Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air is a transdisciplinary alliance of more than 200 leaders and experts from more than 40 countries across every region of the world. Launched at the United Nations during Climate Week on September 23, 2025, the Commission brings together leaders spanning public health, medicine, academia, civil society, building science, real estate and industry. Its shared mission is to make healthy indoor air the norm – not the exception – in all buildings, everywhere. The Global Commission is a multi-year initiative stewarded and supported by the International WELL Building Institute.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

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