Thought Leadership
SE 2050
Committing to Net Zero
The mission of the SE 2050 Commitment is to support the SE 2050 Challenge and transform the practice of structural engineering in a way that is holistic, firm-wide, project based, and data-driven. By prioritizing reduction of embodied carbon, through the use of less and/or less impactful structural materials, participating firms can more easily work toward net zero embodied carbon structural systems by 2050.
“At GRAEF, we recognize the importance of integrating sustainability into our projects and operations,” said John Kissinger, GRAEF President and CEO. “Joining SE 2050 allows us to align our efforts with a nationwide network of like-minded professionals, collaborate on best practices, and make a meaningful impact on the future of engineering.”
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George Carr, PE
First Year I Five Projects
For the first year of the program, we will focus on establishing an embodied carbon baseline based on regional/industry benchmarks and “business-as-usual” for a minimum of 5 projects. During this process, we will develop and refine our workflow for tracking embodied carbon and we will adjust our reduction goals for subsequent program years based on what we learned about embodied carbon reduction strategies.
For existing and new clients where embodied carbon reduction is a top priority in a project's sustainability goals, we will utilize several carbon calculation tools/software to perform Life Cycle Analyses to quantify carbon reduction opportunities and inform sustainable design choices throughout the project. Ultimately, the embodied carbon data we produce over the coming years will contribute to a larger pool of industry-wide carbon data alongside the growing cadre of SE 2050 signatory firms. Through information-sharing, education, and advocacy, we are working together to do our part to combat climate change.
