Living Future’s mission is to create a society that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. This holistic vision is intentional, based on an understanding that history, culture, communities, justice, and equity are interwoven with ecology and sustainability to create the fabric of life on Earth.
Living Future’s sphere of work and influence are the built environment. This sector has significant impacts on a full range of social and environmental issues facing humanity. However, it is not a given that the built environment causes harm. It can create good. It can be in harmony with natural processes, promote health in humans and ecosystems, and create deeper connections between people and communities as well as with nature. With this belief and vision, Living Future started our work by defining a vision of what good looks like for buildings and creating the Living Building Challenge (LBC) to guide the creation of projects that enhance and strengthen the fabric of life in order to create a living future for all.
One key performance area (Petal) in the LBC is Equity, which aims to transform projects to foster a just and inclusive community that enables all people to participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. It is grounded in the belief that a society that embraces and engages all sectors of humanity and allows the dignity of equal access and fair treatment is a civilization in the best position to make decisions that protect and restore the natural environment that sustains all of us. The Equity Petal includes requirements that impact the design of the building and site, as well as ones that support the creation of stable, safe, and high-paying job opportunities for people in the local community, and support local, diverse businesses through hiring, purchasing, and workforce development practices.
Living Future initially developed Just in 2014 as a tool for project teams to demonstrate how they meet the workforce-related equity requirements of the LBC by implementing meaningful transformations within their operations. However, the work of Living Future is dynamic and ongoing. We seek to listen, consider, and respond as the world changes, and to envision, create, and push for pathways toward the most ecologically restorative, socially just, and culturally rich future we can achieve. Seeing a broader need in the industry and the potential for more positive impact, Living Future has continued to enhance and expand the Just program. It now supports not only project teams pursuing the LBC but also organizations throughout the building industry and beyond, promoting transparency, equity, and social responsibility across sectors. It provides a pathway for ensuring that the work environment of all people, especially those within the building industry, is rooted in social justice and equity and contains everything necessary for them to thrive as people—individually and collectively.
