BESA joins international coalition for healthy indoor air quality
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has signed the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The pledge was launched during the Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action conference.
The conference was attended by political leaders, policymakers, scientists and health experts.
The international commitment calls on governments, organisations and businesses to guarantee access to healthy indoor air.
The pledge describes clean indoor air as a fundamental human right and a component of health, education and productivity.
It states: “We declare, for the first time as a global community, that clean indoor air is a fundamental human right for protecting health and safeguarding well-being.
“Poor air quality in indoor environments – where populations spend up to 90% of their time – contributes to respiratory disease (including asthma and lung cancer), heart disease, infectious disease transmission, and cognitive impairment, in addition to potential impacts from carcinogens.”
Indoor air linked to global health outcomes
The World Health Organisation (WHO) concluded in 2000 that everyone has a right to healthy indoor air.
Both the United Nations in 2022 and WHO in 2021 recognised clean air as a human right.
The Global Pledge builds on these earlier steps to galvanise global action on indoor air quality (IAQ).
Signatories commit to monitor and improve IAQ in buildings they influence.
They also agree to apply science-based standards, collaborate across sectors and report transparently on progress.
BESA said its members have long pressed for IAQ to be treated as urgently as outdoor pollution.
The organisation added that poor ventilation and exposure to indoor pollutants are linked to respiratory illness, lost productivity and reduced wellbeing.
WHO figures show IAQ is associated with 3.8 million premature deaths annually.
BESA outlines role and next steps
Kevin Morrissey, technical director at BESA, said: “Signing the Global Pledge was a natural step for BESA.
“Our members are at the forefront of designing, installing and maintaining the systems that determine the quality of the air we breathe.
“This commitment sends a clear signal: we will work with clients, policymakers, and partners worldwide to make clean indoor air the norm, not the exception.”
BESA confirmed its next step will be hosting the WorldVentil8Day Exchange in London on Thursday 6 November.
The free knowledge-sharing event will mark the fourth World Ventilation Day.
It will bring together engineers, consultants, housing providers, policymakers and regulators to focus on IAQ solutions.
The Association also highlighted its freely available guidance, including Buildings as Safe Havens, Indoor Air Quality for Health & Wellbeing and A Practical Guide to Mould.
Adam Taylor, chair of the Indoor Air Quality Group, said: “These tools help building owners, FM providers and contractors take practical steps to assess, monitor, and improve indoor environments.
“The pledge will also help us in our ongoing efforts to champion IAQ in regulatory debates, industry standards, and client education.”
Links to sustainability and global goals
BESA noted that the Global Pledge aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
It specifically connects with Good Health & Wellbeing (SDG 3) and Sustainable Cities & Communities (SDG 11).
The organisation said this reinforces its work to support healthier indoor environments as part of sustainable building strategies worldwide.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
This development is relevant for building services engineers, facility managers, mechanical and electrical engineers and fire engineering consultants who design, manage and assess building systems.
The Global Pledge requires signatories to monitor, improve and report on indoor air quality, which directly affects building ventilation standards and operational practices.
BESA members, who design and maintain ventilation systems, are central to ensuring compliance with IAQ requirements, which are now framed as a human right.
The upcoming WorldVentil8Day Exchange will provide a forum for engineers, consultants and regulators to share technical approaches to ventilation and IAQ.
For those responsible for risk assessment, system installation and ongoing facility management, BESA’s guidance documents provide practical steps for reducing indoor pollutant exposure, improving health outcomes and aligning with global sustainability goals.
BESA signs global pledge on air quality: Summary
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has signed the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The pledge, launched at the Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action conference, was supported by more than 150 organisations worldwide.
It describes clean indoor air as a fundamental human right, citing health impacts including respiratory and heart disease, cancer, cognitive impairment and infectious disease transmission.
Signatories commit to monitoring and improving indoor air quality, applying science-based standards, collaborating across sectors and reporting transparently on progress.
BESA technical director Kevin Morrissey said the Association’s members design, install and maintain systems that determine air quality in buildings.
BESA will host the WorldVentil8Day Exchange in London on Thursday 6 November, a free event bringing stakeholders together to focus on IAQ.
The Association has also produced guidance including Buildings as Safe Havens, Indoor Air Quality for Health & Wellbeing and A Practical Guide to Mould.
The Global Pledge aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Good Health & Wellbeing (SDG 3) and Sustainable Cities & Communities (SDG 11).
This article contains information from the following source: The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)