NADCA’s Voice in the Global Movement for Healthy Indoor Environments

In New York City, amid the energy of the United Nations General Assembly, world leaders, scientists, and advocates gathered around a shared belief: the air we breathe indoors is as vital to human health as the air outdoors. At the launch of the Global Clean Air Pledge, delegates from more than twenty nations spoke with urgency and hope about how collaboration can create healthier spaces for people everywhere.

Joining government leaders, scientists, and advocates was NADCA, The HVAC Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Association, representing the professionals whose work turns policy into practice. For decades, NADCA has led the effort to ensure that the systems delivering air into buildings remain clean, efficient, and healthy. Having a seat at the global table affirmed that HVAC system hygiene is an essential piece of the healthy-buildings conversation.

A Shared Commitment to Action

Discussions at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City highlighted a growing global understanding: indoor air quality is inseparable from human well-being. Speakers from every continent shared evidence and examples, from school districts in Boston using air-quality data to drive facility upgrades, to international coalitions aligning energy and health priorities through shared frameworks.

NADCA’s Energy Study was recognized for providing science-based data that connects clean HVAC systems with measurable performance and energy savings. This validation underscored what NADCA members already know: properly inspected, cleaned, and restored HVAC systems are not only vital to occupant health but also to sustainable, efficient building operations.

The events carried a sense of unity and optimism. The closing words captured it best: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Continuing the Conversation in Washington, D.C.

That spirit of collaboration continued at the Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., organized by the International WELL Building Institute. NADCA’s research was again featured during a session focused on how investments in healthier air yield measurable returns. Across the conversations, a single theme echoed: clean indoor air is not a luxury, but a public right.

As access to affordable monitoring tools expands, data is helping make the invisible visible. Building owners, facility managers, and communities now have the means to understand and improve their indoor environments. Research continues to demonstrate how cleaner air enhances cognitive function, reduces absenteeism, and increases productivity, strengthening the case for proactive IAQ management.

From Global Pledge to Everyday Practice

While policies and pledges set the direction, the real progress happens in the field. NADCA members bring the vision of healthy indoor environments to life every day by ensuring that HVAC systems operate as designed, delivering both clean air and energy efficiency.

Kerry Kinney, President of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ), summarized the opportunity clearly: “Scalable solutions already exist. We need to continue to engage the public to grow support, and it is through collaboration across disciplines that we move forward.”

This message aligns perfectly with NADCA’s mission. The organization stands ready to collaborate with scientists, policymakers, and building professionals worldwide to advance practical solutions that improve both indoor air and energy outcomes.

Looking Ahead

The world is beginning to see what NADCA members have long understood: healthy buildings are built from the inside out. As global awareness grows, so does the responsibility to connect science and standards with real-world application.

Building on the progress made at the United Nations, the newly formed Global Commission for Healthy Indoor Air is bringing together organizations such as ISIAQ, the American Lung Association, ASHRAE, and IFMA to develop a blueprint of proven strategies for improving indoor air quality. NADCA remains an active participant in this effort, sharing the practical expertise of its members to help shape policies that translate into meaningful results in buildings around the world.

NADCA will continue to share expertise, research, and education to ensure that HVAC system hygiene remains central to the healthy-buildings movement. The work ahead is collaborative, continuous, and filled with possibility. 

Cleaner air begins here, and together, we can help every building breathe better.