18-February-2025
ISI collaborated with Harvard University on a workshop series designed to support Ukrainian professionals as they navigate the complex challenges of rebuilding sustainably in their country.Read more
13-February-2025
The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) and the Envision Review Board have initiated a process to refine and enhance the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, with the objective of publishing Envision version 4 (v4) in 2028.
Envision v4 will continue to provide a streamlined, flexible, and globally adaptable framework for assessing and verifying sustainable infrastructure projects. The updated version is intended as an improvement rather than a significant rewrite to v3, to ensure the framework’s continued relevance, usability, and alignment with industry trends and needs. Envision v4 represents the next phase of Envision’s leadership in supporting sustainable infrastructure best practices, by providing a robust, credible, and valuable tool applicable across a diverse range of project contexts and geographic regions.
We anticipate that Envision v4 will respond to evolving user needs and feedback on potential areas of improvement by:
Much of this, though, is yet to be determined through the work of the Envision Review Board with input from the Envision community. A summary timeline for v4 development is shown below. Additional detail will be added as the process progresses.
We realize the introduction of a new version of the Envision Framework raises a lot of questions. You’ll find responses to a few below.
Will v4 be a significant rewrite of v3?
Envision v4 is not intended to be a major rewrite, but rather a honing and refinement of the requirements in v3.
Can I still register and pursue verification under v3? When will v3 be closed to new registrations?
You can still register and pursue verification under v3. Dates have not yet been set to close v3 registration, but that will likely occur during or after 2028, depending on the v4 launch date.
Will there be a deadline to submit projects for verification under v3? How long will v3 be around?
There are currently no plans to sunset v3 verification for projects registered in v3, given the lengthy timelines for civil infrastructure projects.
How can I provide feedback?
There will be multiple opportunities to provide feedback – both on Envision v3 and the draft revisions. Check this page for schedule updates and subscribe to the ISI newsletter through your ISI account or at the bottom of the page to stay updated on the process.
How will v4 impact completed projects/awards?
The release of v4 will have no impact on projects that have already gone through the verification program and received an award. The refinement is intended to make sure the framework continues to align with industry trends and user needs, but the update does not diminish the sustainability successes of v2 and v3 projects.
12-February-2025
The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and the Climate Risk Institute (CRI) are proud to announce the collaborative launch of the new AssetAdapt+ initiative!
AssetAdapt+ will utilize the PIEVC Protocol for assessing climate vulnerabilities and risk, along with the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, to equip communities in delivering climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This will enable them to procure and deliver capital infrastructure assets that incorporate climate adaptation measures and simultaneously achieve sustainability objectives. Over the next two years (2025/2026), local government staff will be empowered through capacity-building activities, including:
—Introductory webinars to raise sustainability and climate resilience awareness among public asset owners.
—Comprehensive training. Diving into the fundamentals of the Envision sustainability framework and PIEVC resilience protocol, with an option to earn professional credentials.
—Development of a water/wastewater peer cohort. Collaborating with peers and mentors to develop scopes of work for procuring professional services that advance sustainability and climate resilience for upcoming water and wastewater infrastructure.
—Scaling up learning across communities and project types through a procurement workshop.To learn more about the project, please visit https://envisioncanada.com/asset-adapt/ or contact us assetadapt@csce.ca.
This project is made possible with funding provided by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (FCM’s GMF) under the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation (LLCA) capacity building program, which is funded by the government of Canada. (The full list of grantees were announced at FCM’s Sustainable Communities Conference 2025 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, February 10–13).
“ISI is very pleased about the collaboration between the CSCE and the Climate Resilience Institute / PIEVC on the new AssetAdapt+ initiative. We are stronger when we work together for sustainability and resilience. Through this initiative, communities and projects will learn from peers and mentors, including the insights from two leading programs, Envision and the PIEVC Protocol, so that they are better equipped to evaluate and respond to climate related risks.”
— Anthony Kane, President & CEO of ISI, CSCE’s partner on the delivery of Envision in Canada
About the LLCA initiative
The Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation (LLCA) initiative is a $530 million program provided through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund that aims to accelerate local, equity-informed climate adaptation action by supporting knowledge development and project implementation across 1,400 municipalities.
LLCA is funded through the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan and is a key component of the National Adaptation Strategy. LLCA is Canada’s second largest funding source helping municipalities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
12-February-2025
Congratulations to the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources and Freese and Nichols on the success of the Eastern Regional Infrastructure Project, which retains its Envision Silver Award after successfully completing the post-construction review stage of verification.
Located in Gwinnett County, Georgia, the project addressed critical community needs related to water, sewer, and trail infrastructure. To support ongoing and anticipated population growth in the eastern portion of Gwinnett County, this project was designed to expand water and sewer capacity to support economic development and growth in the area. It also created an extensive trail system and provided exceptional recreational amenities for its residents.
Link to Eastern Regional Infrastructure Project award profile announced on October 17, 2024.
7-February-2025
Guest author: Michaella Wittmann, EcoMend Solutions
The water sector is uniquely positioned to benefit from Envision. Whether it’s water treatment and distribution, stormwater management, or environmental restoration, Envision offers a flexible framework that addresses the sector’s diverse needs. The framework is particularly adept at tackling critical challenges such as:
As of February 1, 2025, water and wastewater projects make up 36% of ISI’s verification program, representing $38 billion in investment. This significant adoption highlights the water sector’s trust in Envision as a reliable tool for achieving sustainable outcomes. Project types that have successfully used Envision are varied across the water sector and include water treatment & distribution; wastewater collection & treatment; capture/storage; stormwater management; flood control; nutrient management; and environmental restoration.
A Growing Community of Envision Users
One of the strengths of Envision lies in the robust community of professionals and organizations that have embraced the framework. Public agencies at the municipal, county, and state levels are leading the charge, incorporating Envision into strategic plans, design guidelines, and even requests for proposals (RFPs). Notable examples include:
Source: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/About/Files/Publications/DWR-Strategic-Plan.pdf
Moreover, the reach of Envision extends beyond U.S. borders, with a growing number of international projects. In 2024, nearly half of project registrations were for projects outside the United States.
Envision in Action: Project Examples
The versatility of the framework is showcased through its diverse portfolio of verified projects. From small-scale environmental restorations to large-scale water treatment facilities, the system has guided projects toward achieving higher levels of sustainability. Platinum-rated projects exemplify the highest standards, often incorporating innovative practices and engaging deeply with local communities to ensure long-term benefits.
The Benefits of Envision
For organizations and individuals alike, Envision offers a multitude of benefits:
For Organizations:
For Individuals Earning the Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) Credential:
For information on becoming an ENV SP, visit: Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) – Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure
What the Experts Say
The transformative impact of Envision is echoed by professionals across the industry. Here are some testimonials from the water sector:
Call to Action
While the Envision framework and ISI already have the attention of a lot of water sector infrastructure owners, there is significant room for growth of the use of Envision across all sizes of utilities. Many of the largest utility companies in the US are not yet aware of Envision and the benefits it would bring to their projects and how it might align with strategic goals. Since Envision is applicable to all project sizes, the same can be said of small and medium size utilities as well.
Are you ready to take the next step toward sustainable infrastructure? Engage with ISI and explore the opportunities Envision offers:
The Envision framework is more than just a tool—it’s a pathway to transforming the water sector and other infrastructure industries. By addressing today’s pressing challenges and embedding sustainability into everyday practices, Envision is empowering organizations to lead with purpose. Whether you’re looking to improve project outcomes, achieve regulatory compliance, or demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship, Envision provides the roadmap for success. Let’s embrace this framework and build a more sustainable future together.
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About the Author
Michaella Wittmann is a sustainability trailblazer with 25+ years of experience in green building, civil infrastructure, and ESG strategies. A LEED Fellow and founding force behind EcoMend Solutions, she mentors emerging leaders and champions sustainable innovation. In her spare time, she nurtures her passion for native plants and flowers.
4-February-2025
As ISI works to advance sustainable, equitable, and resilient infrastructure through the use of Envision, we’ve run into various myths, or misconceptions, about sustainability and Envision application. We delve into five myths, exploring projects in the verification program and industry context.Read more
15-January-2025
ISI’s Envision Review Board (ERB) plays a critical role in upholding the integrity and evolution of the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework. Composed of infrastructure professionals from diverse sectors — including public agencies, private companies, and advocacy groups — the ERB ensures that Envision remains a robust, relevant, and forward-thinking tool. The board’s responsibilities include supporting the ongoing development and interpretation of Envision, upholding the highest standards for review processes, and ensuring that the framework’s tools, resources, and best practices continue to reflect the latest advancements in scholarship and industry practice.
As 2024 has come to a close, and we embark on what is to come in 2025, we want to recognize a few outgoing and incoming ERB members.
Amanda Schweickert
First, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Amanda Schweickert for her outstanding contributions to the Envision Review Board over the past six years. As a Project Director with the Sustainability, Energy & Climate Change group at WSP and an early advocate for Envision, Amanda has been a key figure in promoting sustainable infrastructure practices across a range of projects. She became one of the first Envision Sustainability Professionals credentialed in the state of Washington and was part of the first class of ISI-trained Trainers and Verifiers. Her expertise, dedication, and leadership, both within her professional work and through her involvement with various organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Works Association, and Engineers Without Borders, have been invaluable to the development and growth of Envision. We deeply appreciate Amanda’s years of service to the ERB and her ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability in infrastructure.
Next, we are excited to welcome two new outstanding professionals, Cristina Contreras Casado and Holly Lopez, to the Envision Review Board!
Cristina Contreras Casado
Cristina Contreras Casado, ENV SP and Envision Trainer and Verifier, brings nearly two decades of experience in sustainable infrastructure, blending academic expertise with real-world application. As the Founder and CEO of Sinfranova LLC, a sustainable infrastructure consulting firm, and an instructor at Harvard University, Cristina has made significant contributions to the global adoption of sustainability standards in infrastructure. Her work spans collaboration with Multilateral Development Banks like the World Bank, global nonprofits like WWF, and international organizations, including the United Nations. Notably, Cristina has been a champion of Envision in Spanish-speaking countries, training nearly 400 participants across Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, Chile, and Spain. Her leadership in sustainability initiatives, including her involvement with the American Association of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the United Nations Environment Programme’s Expert Working Group on Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Infrastructure, will bring invaluable expertise and global perspective to the Envision Review Board.
Holly Lopez
Holly Lopez, MPP, ENV SP is the Policy & Public Affairs Director at Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU), where she manages the agency’s sustainability efforts and is leading the first two projects in the state of Utah to pursue Envision verification – a new Water Reclamation Facility which replaces Salt Lake City’s only sewer treatment plant and upgrades to the existing City Creek Water Treatment Plant. Holly brings a unique perspective to the Board, focused on integrating sustainability into public infrastructure planning and policy.
We are thrilled to have both Cristina and Holly join the Envision Review Board, and we look forward to their fresh insights and valuable contributions toward advancing more sustainable infrastructure.
For additional information on all of our ERB members, visit our Envision Review Board page.
14-January-2025
The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure is proud to serve as the central hub for a dynamic community of individuals and organizations committed to advancing the sustainability of infrastructure. We thank the public agencies, companies, associations, and academic institutions that partner with us to foster more sustainable, resilient, and equitable civil infrastructure. Together, we are advancing the training and credentialing of professionals, evaluating infrastructure needs and sustainable solutions, protecting the environment, enhancing public health and well-being, and driving economic prosperity through smart, forward-thinking infrastructure strategies. Here’s a look at what we accomplished together in 2024!
14-January-2025
We are excited to announce the launch a new feature that will now showcase a record of individual participation on Envision projects. This feature has been introduced both to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our Envision users, and to serve as a directory for those looking to engage with experienced ENV SPs.
How does the new feature work?
Anyone with an ISI account can now view a private record of their participation on Envision projects. This record is located within your individual ISI dashboard – just navigate to the “Projects” tab and select “Team History.” In order to be associated with a particular project, you must have been added to that project within the project’s ISI dashboard. Then, your personal team history will show the project name and ID number, the current status of the project, and the project role that you were assigned (Team Member, Project Leader, and/or Lead ENV SP) – including your role’s start and end date.
If you are an ENV SP, and you have opted in to having your profile listed in our public ENV SP Directory, then your project role(s) will now also be publicly visible within that directory. However, the ENV SP Directory will only show your roles associated with completed projects – not with projects that are unregistered, registered, or currently still in the process of verification – and it will only list the project name and your specific project role.
If you are an ENV SP, and you have not opted in to having your profile listed in our public ENV SP Directory, you can do so at any time by clicking “Edit Profile” on your individual ISI dashboard, navigating to the “Public Profile” tab, and selecting the option to “Include profile in public directory.”
*Note: The ENV SP Directory only features current ENV SPs. If you are not an ENV SP, or if your ENV SP status is inactive or expired, you will need to become an ENV SP or maintain your credential to activate your listing in this directory.
How is the new feature helpful?
For individual ISI account holders and ENV SPs, the new team history feature can help with internal record keeping, as well as with showcasing your Envision experience. The Team History tab in your individual ISI dashboard will help you maintain a private record of your participation with Envision projects. It will keep a running list of your participation on all projects – even those from which you have since been removed. If you’re an ENV SP who’s opted in to being listed in our public ENV SP Directory, this showcase of your project roles will publicly demonstrate your Envision experience and may serve as a resume of your work on Envision-verified projects.
For the general public browsing our ENV SP Directory, you can now search by project role (Team Member, Project Leader, and/or Lead ENV SP). This allows those looking to engage with experienced ENV SPs to identify individuals with specific Envision project experience, which might support consideration for collaboration, training, or hiring for other Envision-related services.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
13-December-2024
The ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition is currently seeking judges for the 22 ASCE Student Symposia that will take place across the United States throughout the spring of 2025. ISI continues to support the ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition this year through promotion and participation, and we hope you’ll consider joining us as we engage with these talented young students!
Judges should:
To volunteer, fill out the volunteer form. Select “competition judge” and “ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition.” Under “How did you learn about this student symposia volunteer opportunity?”please note ISI.
