Check out photos here from this year’s symposium!
On Friday, April 17th, 2026, the AIA Los Angeles Committee on the Environment (COTE) hosted the 9th annual 1.5°C Symposium on Climate Change. This year’s symposium shifted the conversation from policy to practice, and from intention to action.
In a time of political uncertainty and climate urgency, this event asked: How can individuals, firms, and communities drive real, tangible change? The 2026 Symposium explored how climate action is scaled across projects of every size, within firms of every structure, and across sectors often siloed from each other. From small-scale pro-bono efforts to market-driven green development, the event celebrated and elevated practical, resilient, and replicable strategies Attendees engaged with Southern California–based impact projects, sector-specific insights, and a network of collaborators reimagining what’s possible. Our goal: to democratize knowledge, strengthen cross-sector connections, and accelerate a just transition in the built environment.
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities are now available!
Partner with the esteemed AIA Los Angeles COTE Committee to highlight your firm and brand, and showcase your commitment to the important work the COTE Committee is doing to make a positive impact in our communities.
Please click HERE to support the 9th annual 1.5°C Symposium on Climate Change.
WHEN | WHERE | LEARNING UNITS
When:
Friday, April 17th, 2026
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where:
Loyola Law School
919 Albany St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Note: Parking is available onsite for $12/day with entry off of Albany Street.
Learning Units:
6 LU|HSW including 5 ZNCD MCE hours for California Licensees
1. Analyze how climate action is implemented across projects of varying scale and context, from small-scale and community-driven efforts to large, market-based developments, with attention to health, safety, welfare, and environmental co-benefits.
2. Identify practical, replicable strategies used by individuals, firms, and cross-sector teams to advance net-zero, resilience, and regenerative outcomes within real-world professional and organizational constraints.
3. Evaluate the role of financial mechanisms, partnerships, and capital flows in enabling or limiting climate-ready projects, including approaches to value creation, risk mitigation, and equitable development.
4. Apply tools, metrics, and collaborative frameworks, spanning design practice, policy translation, and project finance, to accelerate climate-positive outcomes within their own professional work and communities.
PROGRAM
Click on the image below to access the program.
Please note:
- We have 5 workshop sessions available during the conference.
- Session A, Session B, Session C, Session D, & Session E.
- Each attendee may select ONE workshop per session.
- Please note: Each session has capacity limits and seating will be first come first served!
You may select your workshop preferences when purchasing your ticket.
SPONSORSHIP
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities are now available! Click on the image below to become a sponsor. We appreciate your support!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER (MORNING)
KEYNOTE SPEAKER (AFTERNOON)
SESSION SPEAKERS
Izumi Tanaka, Green Realtor, LEED Associate, LFA
Certified Electric Coach, Associate, San Francisco
SESSION SPEAKERS (CONTINUED)
Pablo La Roche, Ph.D., Intl. Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal & Global Sustainable Design Director, ARCADIS & Professor of Architecture, Cal Poly Pomona
SESSION SPEAKERS (CONTINUED)
PANEL SPEAKERS (PANEL #1)
Siobhán Burke, AIA, LEED AP
Executive Director, 99 Neighborhoods Network & Principal, Lyric Design & Planning
Michael H. Anderson, AIA, NOMA
Architect, Author, & Urban Design Strategist - Principal, Anderson Barker
PANEL SPEAKERS (PANEL #2)
CIRCULAR SOCAL CHARETTE SESSION
Thank you to our Sponsors!
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Speaker/Panel Sponsor
Student Sponsor
HAPPY HOUR SPONSORS
Networking Sponsor
Exhibitor Sponsors
Friend Sponsors
Start Up Exhibitor Sponsors
Media Sponsor
