GRAEF, a leading engineering, planning and design firm has taken a critical step towards advancing sustainable building practices by joining SE 2050, a voluntary commitment dedicated to promoting sustainable design.

The SE 2050 Commitment Program is a voluntary initiative aimed at achieving net zero embodied carbon in structural materials by the year 2050. By joining this groundbreaking program, GRAEF commits to integrating sustainable planning and design principles into its projects and advancing carbon neutrality in the built environment.

The initiative incorporates data from Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Embodied Carbon Analyses, which enable designers and builders to measure carbon impacts comprehensively throughout the lifespan of a building, from construction material extraction and production all the way through demolition. With a focus on embodied carbon reduction, SE 2050 ensures a new-zero carbon future for new buildings over the next three decades through coordinated efforts.

“This is a pivotal time for structural engineers to make sustainability-informed design choices to reduce embodied carbon. With structure typically representing about half of the embodied carbon in a building project, we can make a huge impact on the overall carbon footprint. I am excited to step up to the plate and do my part to fight climate change – one beam, one column, and one concrete mix design at a time,” said Natalie Georgieff, PE, Embodied Carbon Reduction Champion, Resilience & Sustainability Engineer at GRAEF.

GRAEF’s decision to join SE 2050 falls within a broader framework of corporate social responsibility and leadership to address the nation’s environmental issues.  By taking this significant step, GRAEF reaffirms their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable design practices across the industry.

“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 nation-wide network of like-minded professionals, collaborate on best practices, and make a meaningful impact on the future of engineering.”

Moving forward, GRAEF anticipates integrating resilient and sustainable design principles as a part of the SE 2050 Program into its strategic planning, project development, employee training and team management to minimize environmental impacts across disciplines.  GRAEF will play an integral role in establishing embodied carbon baselines for structural systems by submitting LCA data annually and contributing to the cross-firm SE 2050 Database, which will provide new insights into GWP baselines and carbon data tracking across North America.

GRAEF is proud to be at the forefront of this evolving industry movement and excited to be able to make a meaningful global contribution to sustainability.