In the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, sustainability has shifted from a trendy buzzword to a fundamental necessity. As regulatory requirements become more stringent, reporting requirements escalate, environmental concerns intensify, and stakeholders demand higher levels of performance, the need for and compliance with sustainability and resiliency standards has become more critical. Similar to how LEED and BREEAM have been instrumental in guiding sustainable building practices, the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework has provided similar guidance in the infrastructure sector for more than a decade. Sustainability frameworks like these not only provide a roadmap for meeting triple-bottom-line goals, they also serve as powerful tools for achieving compliance with a wide range of regulations and directives. In this article, we’ll explore how these frameworks help AEC professionals navigate the often-complex landscape of sustainability and regulatory demands while streamlining processes and contributing to overall long-term project success.

The Importance of Compliance in the AEC Industry

Regulatory requirements in the AEC industry are continually evolving, with governments and agencies around the world implementing stricter standards to improve safety, protect the environment, and promote community well-being. From building codes and zoning laws to environmental impact assessments and occupational safety regulations, AEC professionals must guide projects through an intricate network of rules and guidelines. In addition, municipalities and agencies publish plans to document, measure, and track sustainability and resiliency concepts like energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste reduction. Failure to comply with regulations and plans can lead to negative consequences like legal penalties, project setbacks, financial loss, and reputational damage, but using sustainability frameworks like Envision can help project teams mitigate these risks by providing a structured approach and guidance on best practices.

Understanding Sustainability Frameworks in the Context of the AEC Industry

Sustainability frameworks and rating systems are structured guidelines that help organizations implement sustainable practices on projects in planning, design, construction, and/or operations and maintenance. In the AEC industry, these frameworks typically provide a systematic approach across a range of sustainability and resiliency topics, such as reducing environmental impacts, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing community well-being. They establish clear criteria for evaluating project elements with consideration for water use, access, biodiversity, materials sourcing, etc., which are all essential components for meeting compliance requirements in infrastructure projects. Some of the most well-known sustainability frameworks and certifications including LEED, BREEAM, WELL Building Standard, and the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework.

In particular, Envision, which is administered by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), was designed to promote more sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure projects. It is comprised of 64 sustainability and resiliency indicators (called credits) which are organized around five categories:

1. Quality of Life
2. Leadership
3. Resource Allocation
4. Natural World
5. Climate and Resilience

Together, Envision’s categories and credits offer a structured approach for planning, designing, and constructing sustainable and resilient roads, bridges, water systems, and other critical infrastructure assets. Unlike building certification systems, Envision is tailored to the scale and complexities of large infrastructure projects, while offering flexibility and adaptability for various project types. To allow for this, Envision does not prescribe that projects meet defined metrics, but rather it provides a framework for collaboration, decision-making, and the development of innovative solutions.

How Sustainability Frameworks Support Compliance

Streamlining Regulatory Compliance

Sustainability frameworks can provide a roadmap that aligns with existing regulations and prepares to address evolving regulatory landscapes, equipping AEC professionals to fulfill requirements from local, national, and international policies, ordinances, plans, etc. For example, when building a new office complex, using the LEED rating system can support compliance with energy codes, environmental impact regulations, and material sourcing requirements. Similarly, using Envision can guide an infrastructure project team on energy optimization and waste diversion, while also considering habitat protection and stormwater management. In some instances, meeting rating system requirements may satisfy regulatory requirements, but in most instances the rating system is likely to provide the guidance and direction toward meeting or exceeding stipulations. Adopting frameworks like LEED, BREEAM, or Envision provides a holistic view that can help project teams anticipate future regulatory changes and reduce the risk of costly delays or revisions during the design and construction phases.

Example: In the European Union (EU), Envision aligns with one of the most influential ESG-aligned developments in recent years, the DNSH (Do-No-Significant-Harm) principle. DNSH supports the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities regulation, providing criteria to evaluate if an investment qualifies as sustainable, meaning it does not cause significant harm to any of six key environmental objectives outlined in EU law. Project compliance is necessary for certain types of EU funding and financing opportunities. ICMQ, ISI’s partner in Italy, published guidance explaining Envision’s alignment with the DNSH principle, with detailed documentation on the correlation between DNSH objectives and Envision credits. The document notes that Envision fills an existing gap between general DNSH criteria and actionable design guidance and objective metrics.

Example: Envision is one of the few frameworks that emphasizes construction safety through a dedicated credit. With this in mind, the project team for the Taxiway J Rehabilitation project at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) developed a comprehensive and proactive Construction Safety Phasing Plan that extends to the contractor and all subcontractors involved in the project. It identified all construction activities to occur as part of the project within the Air Operations Area and defined how each construction area would comply with FAA regulations and requirements on airfield safety. Methods for safety inspections and communications, as well as requirements for security and training for project personnel, were set out in the plan.

Example: The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) Biosolids Digester Facility Project is constructing new facilities with state-of-the-art treatment technologies to ensure continued regulatory compliance with present and projected regulations to protect public health and safety. The project is upgrading the existing Southeast Treatment Plant biosolids treatment from Class B to Class A (the highest class available), providing greater end-user security as biosolids regulations become increasingly stringent and restrictive.

Minimizing Risk

At its core, compliance means reducing risk — whether it’s legal, environmental, or financial. In turn, sustainability frameworks offer guidelines to help infrastructure owners and project teams proactively address such risks. A key component of the Envision framework is its focus on resilience — the ability to withstand and adapt to future challenges, which might include shifting environmental regulations, intensifying extreme weather events, or simply evolving community needs.

Envision encourages project teams to understand potential risks, and then plan, design, and construct projects that are adaptable and resilient to these future risks. This process results in projects that are better positioned to meet current and future regulatory demands, thereby reducing the risk of non-compliance over the long term.

Example: The City of St. Petersburg, Florida, proactively assesses and addresses potential climate change impacts on both existing assets and future projects. Risk and vulnerability assessments were conducted for the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility, and the project team incorporated assessment findings into the project’s planning and design, including considerations for sea level rise, storm surge impacts, high wind, flooding, lightning, etc.

Example: In planning the Airside Improvements Project at the San Diego International Airport (SAN), the project team analyzed the site’s existing stormwater drainage systems to better understand the volume and flow of water relative to the project site and incorporated considerations for sea level rise and 100-year storm events. The new stormwater drainage system is designed to include a 0.9-million-gallon underground storage cistern and five infield infiltration basins that will serve to capture, treat, and reuse stormwater. This upgrade is expected to reduce stormwater runoff into the San Diego Bay by at least 80% and significantly reduce potable water consumption. The project’s multi-pronged approach not only addresses immediate stormwater management needs but also aligns with and advances SAN’s long-term goals for sustainable water management.

Example: To prepare for the Tamiami Station Park-and-Ride/Bus Terminal Facility (Tamiami Station) in Miami-Dade County, the project team conducted a comprehensive assessment of climate change threats and found the main issues are sea-level rise, storm surges, extreme heat, and flooding from extreme precipitation. To address these issues, the project team worked collaboratively with the county’s Office of Resilience early in project design to ensure compliance with the local Sea Level Rise Ordinance. Regional sea level projections and groundwater elevations were reviewed and accounted for in the project design. In order to address extreme heat and precipitation projections, the design team included pedestrian canopies to protect the public from rain and sun along the bus bays and into parking areas.

Documentation and Reporting

A key component of sustainability frameworks is the emphasis on transparent documentation and reporting. To achieve certifications like LEED, BREEAM, or Envision, project teams must submit detailed records of design choices, construction processes, and performance metrics. This documentation provides a clear record for project stakeholders, including clients, investors, and regulatory bodies, and can be critical for inspections, audits, or assessments.

Example: The Times Square Shuttle Project is upgrading deficient subway station platform components and alleviating congestion to improve circulation, safety, and overall operations for New York City’s busiest subway complex. By improving the efficiency of this station, this project inherently improves systems integration within the overall MTA subway system, as well as with other social, economic, and infrastructure systems within the broader NYC community. As a leader in sustainability, the City of New York maintains several evaluations, reports, analyses, and sets of goals and guidance documents to govern the sustainability of the city’s infrastructure, and MTA New York City Transit has further adopted agency-specific policies to ensure that sustainability is incorporated at the project level. The Times Square Shuttle Project is consistent with all of these planning documents and policies.

Benefits of Integrating Sustainability Frameworks into AEC Projects

Enhanced Design and Planning

AEC professionals are encouraged to integrate sustainability frameworks early in the planning phase to ensure that projects will meet regulatory compliance from the outset. In this way, sustainability and resilience are no longer afterthoughts; they’re embedded into the core of the project’s planning and design. Starting this conversation early provides more opportunities for the project team to talk through various options to improve sustainable performance.

“Sarasota County’s achievement of the Envision Gold award highlights their pioneering approach to sustainable infrastructure development. [The Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility] goes beyond expanding capacity; it sets a new benchmark for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship. It exemplifies how innovative engineering and a commitment to sustainability can create a facility that meets current demands and paves the way for a resilient and adaptive water future for decades to come.”

– Jody Barksdale, Carollo Project Manager

Cost Efficiency

While implementing sustainability frameworks may require a minor upfront investment, the long-term financial benefits can be significant. Projects that follow frameworks like LEED, BREEAM, or Envision may implement solutions that result in lower operation and maintenance costs, whether through energy savings, water conservation, or fewer repairs. These project teams are also encouraged to evaluate projects within the broader context of a community’s long-term goals and needs, which may lead to integrating components that might otherwise have been planned and delivered separately. Additionally, avoiding compliance-related fines or delays can reduce costs over the life of a project.

Example: The Eastern Regional Infrastructure Project’s new sewer infrastructure allowed for the future decommissioning of several wastewater pump stations into the new regional pump station, improving overall efficiency while also improving system resilience. The new five-mile trail system is co-located with the gravity sewer line, effectively integrating civil infrastructure with a community recreation asset.

“The Eastern Regional Infrastructure Project serves as the foundation for smart, environmentally conscious growth in eastern Gwinnett. We’re proud to be recognized with Envision verification for this project, which demonstrates our commitment to innovative solutions that benefit both our residents and the environment. By providing essential infrastructure and promoting smart growth, we’re cultivating a vibrant and sustainable community for generations to come.”

– Nicole Love Hendrickson, Gwinnett County Chairwoman

Reputation and Marketability

Sustainability certifications can be a powerful marketing tool, especially as clients and communities increasingly prioritize sustainability and resilience. Projects that follow LEED, WELL, or Envision guidelines demonstrate commitment to environmental, social, and economic responsibility, promoting a positive reputation and making them more attractive to eco-conscious stakeholders.

“Envision goes beyond the basic efforts of project management and development into areas that benefit the community in a holistic way. Our goal is to bring as much value to those impacted by the project as possible.”

– Dave Koster, HBPW General Manager

Sustainability frameworks are more than just guidelines—they are essential tools for supporting compliance in building and infrastructure projects. By providing a comprehensive set of principles for sustainable planning, design and construction, these frameworks empower project teams to incorporate sustainability and resiliency considerations as substantial elements of project development, and help professionals navigate an increasingly complex landscape of regulatory requirements while enhancing social, environmental, and economic outcomes

Using the Envision framework alongside other sustainability tools, faculty share valuable sustainability knowledge for real-world applications.

Increasing numbers of college and university professors are incorporating ISI’s Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, responding to their students’ strong desire to learn sustainability concepts and knowledge that can be readily applied in their careers.

Envision is a framework and rating system designed to help infrastructure stakeholders implement more sustainable, resilient, and equitable projects. Envision includes 64 sustainability and resilience indicators, called ‘credits’, organized around five categories. Each credit includes criteria questions to help project teams examine options for incrementally improving a project’s sustainable performance.

When asked about the importance of sustainability education, Dr. Kandiah Ramanitharan, Professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Water Resources Management at Central State University in Ohio, stated, “Sustainability education plays a crucial role for students pursuing careers in engineering, as well as for all individuals who are mindful of the well-being of their fellow human beings and the quality of life for future generations.”

Envision is helping educators to address evolving needs. Prabh Banga, VP of Sustainability for Aecon, who also is a part-time Professor at Seneca College and the University of Toronto, teaching Corporate Sustainability, uses Envision because it “helps to foster critical thinking about how to balance environmental stewardship with social impact and economic growth, preparing students to be more responsible and innovative future leaders in sustainable infrastructure development.”

Undergraduate and graduate students in civil and environmental engineering, urban planning and environmental science, in particular, benefit from Envision in the classroom. The framework can be used to expand students’ thinking around potential sustainability trade-offs and benefits in the context of actual projects, and it can support course work. Banga noted that Envision exposes students to “tools used in real-world projects to evaluate the sustainability of various infrastructures, making their education more relevant to contemporary challenges in the field.”

Dr. Diana Byrne, an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky’s Civil Engineering Department, obtained her Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential to better understand Envision and integrate it into the classroom — and valuable learning has resulted. After introducing the framework, she takes up a select number of credits in more detail with her class before leading into small-group discussion and presentations linked to specific project examples. “We spend some time looking at a few specific Envision credits that are highly related to course topics we discussed earlier in the semester, such as life-cycle cost analysis with LD3.3, greenhouse gas emissions with CR1.2, and water consumption with RA3.2,” Byrne explains. Students then apply this knowledge to consider the project focus, potential stakeholders, sustainability considerations, and relevant Envision credits for an Envision verified project.

“I use Envision in the classroom because from my perspective, sustainability rating systems like Envision are the most likely way that our civil engineering students will interact with sustainability in their careers in industry,”

— Professor Diana Byrne, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky

A similar perspective was shared by Dr. Ramanitharan, who says Envision equips students with the necessary tools to measure and implement sustainable practices effectively and a methodology to “evaluate both the sustainability accomplishments and the potential for sustainable practices in civil or environmental engineering projects.” With sustainability education playing a crucial role for students pursuing careers in engineering, Ramanitharan says he also benefitted from taking ISI’s Train the Trainer course. “It was instrumental in enhancing my ability to teach topics related to sustainability.”

The rise in interest in Envision among professors is no surprise to Dr. Leslie Brunell, ISI’s Director of Education, who was a civil engineering professor at Stevens Institute of Technology for 14 years before coming to ISI. In the latter part of her academic career, she observed how students and faculty gravitated to frameworks and tools designed for implementing sustainability in a professional context as opposed to those focused on theory. Specifically created for use in civil infrastructure, Envision was also unusual in having grown out of a collaboration with academia, through the then-Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. “The Envision Framework’s development embodies the growing momentum in both academia and professional practice that has put a stronger focus on sustainable solutions,” Brunell notes.

Achieving sustainability goals in infrastructure development is not confined to civil engineering; it requires collaboration among experts from many fields, including urban planning, environmental studies, and construction management, to name a few. Envision is a good fit in the classroom because students tend to reflect the cross-disciplinary makeup of teams working on sustainability projects, creating an opportunity for early cross-functional collaboration. This is supported by Envision’s common language for sustainability in infrastructure, which is not highly technical — or exclusive to one discipline. This can be especially helpful for introducing topics outside students’ major or concentration. “It’s very helpful for me to communicate environmental planning specifically – environmental planning, environmental impact assessments, sustainability reporting, those kinds of topics,” says Dr. David Abraham of Rice University, the current chair of ISI’s Academic Committee.

Envision offers a unique benefit in response to a growing emphasis on sustainability accreditation and certifications for students. Through engagement with Envision in the classroom, many students have an introduction to Envision. They now have the opportunity to pursue the credential on their own should they choose to.

Academic Community Engagement

Leslie Brunell

ISI has collaborated with faculty and members of the academic community on the role and use of Envision in education since the framework’s introduction in 2012. An Academic Committee was established in 2013 to focus on Envision in the classroom, exploring student credentials and tools and resources over the last decade. Dr. Brunell joining ISI in 2023 energized this collaboration.

“We have currently three subcommittees that are tasked with developing content that we can disseminate to anyone who is interested in using Envision in the classroom,” explains Brunell. One subcommittee is tasked with developing a curriculum matrix – essentially mapping any courses in sustainability that would benefit from the application of Envision. A second is working on short presentations for faculty members to introduce Envision in the context of their course, mainly focused on the five sectors (transportation, water, energy, land-environmental, and waste).

A third committee is developing case studies that faculty can use within their courses, that not only integrate Envision but also might address some of the requirements of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) through the development of discussion questions.

“There is a lot of work to do, but strengthening engagement with academia and students is an important goal for ISI,” says Brunell. “This is the generation that will have the greatest influence on how projects are planned, designed, and delivered in years to come.”

Each year, the ISI Annual Conference hosts a poster competition, providing a platform for students to present Envision-related posters as part of a professional conference. The 2025 ISI Annual Conference will be held October 22–23. Both the call for posters and the call for abstracts were recently opened.

Read Part 2 of this article: How students and young career professionals are benefiting from Envision in practice