A company’s climate impact often reaches well beyond its own buildings and operations. It may be embedded in the materials it buys, the suppliers it relies on, or the way customers use its products. Changing that impact takes decisions at many levels: boards and CEOs set direction, while finance, operations, procurement, engineering and product teams control budgets and choices that shape what gets built, bought and used.

As designers, researchers and practitioners working within the built environment we frequently discuss how we effect change, how we help people make better decision. Who needs to make those decision and how do we help them do it faster.

With the climate crisis getting worse, Biophilic Design really does offer keys to accelerate the change. Here are some thoughts on how to approach businesses to help them make and importantly, justify better decisions.

Sustainability teams can guide and coordinate this work, but lasting change depends on the people with authority over strategy, investment and day-to-day decisions.

Biophilic designers can help connect those decisions to better outcomes for people and planet.