.jpg?la=en&h=320&w=720&hash=244C75B74F0F77521D56164450973BCD){kind=logo}
Katie McGinty joins the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air
Katie McGinty serves as chief sustainability and external relations officer at Johnson Controls, where she leads global efforts to advance environmental stewardship, corporate responsibility and strategic partnerships. With a distinguished career spanning public service, policy leadership and private sector innovation, Katie brings a unique perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing sustainable development today.
At Johnson Controls, Katie champions initiatives that help organisations reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and accelerate progress towards net zero goals. Her work reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to building smarter, healthier and more sustainable environments across the globe—including here in the United Kingdom.
A newly launched Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air at the United Nations is addressing a critical but often overlooked issue: indoor air quality. With people spending the majority of their time indoors, the air we breathe inside homes, schools and workplaces has a major impact on health, wellbeing and productivity. The commission aims to deliver a Global Framework for Action by the end of 2026, uniting experts across science, policy and industry to set clear standards and drive innovation. This effort supports wider sustainability goals, including net zero targets and healthier buildings.
In the UK, organisations like Johnson Controls are already leading the way with smart building automation, HVAC systems and digital solutions that help improve indoor environments while reducing emissions. The commission’s work will help scale these efforts globally, making indoor air quality a measurable and manageable priority.
Indoor air quality is increasingly recognised as a vital component of public health, sustainability and building performance. With individuals spending up to 90 percent of their time indoors, the air we breathe in homes, schools, workplaces and public spaces has a direct impact on wellbeing, productivity and long-term health outcomes.
A newly formed international commission is taking decisive steps to address this issue by developing a Global Framework for Action by the end of 2026. This initiative will bring together experts in science, policy, technology and industry to establish clear standards, promote innovation and encourage accountability across sectors.
The framework aims to support governments, businesses and civil society in improving indoor environments through better ventilation, smarter building design and data-driven monitoring. It also complements broader sustainability goals such as net zero carbon targets and energy efficiency, making it a strategic priority for future-ready infrastructure.
"The data is clear – when building owners and operators prioritise healthy indoor air, employees thrive and students achieve more. This is about more than just performance, it's about creating environments that empower people and drive strategic value for organisations,” Katie says. “At Johnson Controls, we're proud to bring our expertise to the work of this important commission, collaborating with leaders around the world to turn momentum into action and advance a framework that makes healthy indoor air the standard for all."
In the United Kingdom, organisations like Johnson Controls are already leading the way with advanced building automation, HVAC systems and digital solutions that help facilities optimise air quality while reducing emissions. These technologies enable buildings to respond intelligently to environmental conditions, support occupant wellbeing and contribute to climate resilience.
As the commission’s work progresses, it will help scale these efforts globally, ensuring that indoor air quality becomes a measurable, manageable and essential part of sustainable development strategies.
Read more about the commission here.