Category

Archive

Help Shape Envision v4 – We Need Your Input

4-June-2025

ISI and the Envision Review Board (ERB) have initiated a process to refine the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework to develop Envision v4. The new version will address challenges in v3, improve clarity, refine credit language, and enhance global relevance based on evolving user needs and feedback.  

We need your feedback and input!  

We’re inviting Envision users to share their insights through this initial survey. Your input will help identify which parts of the framework are most effective, which need improvement, and what may be missing. You’re welcome to comment on topics including but not limited to: 

  • Technical or terminology issues 
  • Difficult or underused credits 
  • Clarifications, typos, or confusing language 
  • Sector- or geography-specific concerns 

We understand the survey is detailed, and we greatly value your time and contributions to this important effort. 

Please complete the survey embedded below by Friday, July 11, 2025. You can also access the survey directly via this link. Visit the Envision v4 page for more detailed information about the Envision v4 development process.

Thank you for helping us improve the Envision Framework for the entire infrastructure community. 

 

Applications Now Open for ISI’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP)

3-June-2025

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) has launched the second round of its Technical Assistance Program (TAP), created to provide infrastructure owners from small and/or economically-distressed communities with better access to resources for guiding more sustainable projects.

ISI is an education and research nonprofit with a mission to help communities around the world build sustainable, resilient, and equitable civil infrastructure. ISI manages the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, which is 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.

The TAP program was inspired by ISI’s experience working with a project team in Ethiopia – the first project in Africa to register and apply the Envision framework. Through this collaboration, ISI recognized the need to reduce barriers to access and provide greater support for project teams using Envision in economically distressed areas.

The program, which pairs project teams with academic subject matter experts, follows the standard academic year cycle. The inaugural year (2024–2025) supported three projects and ISI is seeking applications for the program’s second cohort of five projects.

What are the Primary Program Goals?

  1. To develop new pathways for equitable access to Envision verification resources
  2. To apply principles of sustainability to projects facing real-world challenges
  3. To provide Envision verification experience to sustainability professionals and practical experience to students through which lessons can be learned

What Are the Eligibility Criteria?

This program is available to infrastructure projects within economically distressed communities.

The application asks applicants to provide project information (owner, owner representative, description, goals), an explanation of how the owner represents a small and economically distressed community, and reasons for pursuing Envision verification.

How Can I Apply?
Download the PDF application form at the link below. Email submission instructions are outlined on the form. The deadline is July 7, 2025.

Application Form

What Happens After I Apply?
Selection of participating projects and Academic Partners will be finalized by July 30, 2025. The kickoff meeting for successful applicants will be scheduled for September 5, 2025.

Where Can I Get More Information?
View the TAP webpage

NEW: Guide to Procuring Sustainable Infrastructure Services

17-September-2024

ISI Publishes New Guide to Procuring Sustainable Infrastructure Services

Since the Envision framework was launched in 2012, over 400 projects have registered to use ISI’s Envision verification process, and ISI has announced 158 Envision-verified projects. Growing use of Envision and recognition of the need for guidance on early integration motivated ISI to work with the Envision Review Board (ERB) to develop a resource to assist infrastructure owners in procuring sustainable infrastructure services.

The new “Guide to Procuring Sustainable Infrastructure Services” provides guidance on integrating sustainability and the Envision framework into projects of all types. It covers best practices for assembling qualified sustainability teams, implementing Envision throughout the project lifecycle, and managing the verification process for Envision awards. It also offers practical advice and example procurement language to use when seeking services. This guide aims to help embed sustainability into projects more effectively, leading to better environmental, social, and economic outcomes.

To access this resource, you will need a free ISI user account, if you do not already have one. The guide is now located within the ISI user account dashboard, under the new section labeled “Procurement Resources.”

The objectives of this new resource are to:

  • assist project owners in effectively procuring Envision-related services for sustainable infrastructure projects
  • provide guidance on integrating the Envision framework throughout the entire project lifecycle, and
  • provide customizable procurement language and evaluation criteria for owners looking for sustainability services that support their projects.

 

 

Key highlights of this resource include guidance on:

  • Assembling Qualified Sustainability Teams: Describes the structure, roles, and qualifications of sustainability teams, emphasizing ENV SP credentials, organizational commitment to sustainability, and the benefits of inclusive procurement practices.
  • Strategies for Integrating Envision Throughout the Project Lifecycle: Outlines sustainability considerations for each project phase, and offers advice on maintaining continuity across different disciplines and roles throughout the project.
  • Approaches for Envision Implementation: Discusses procurement approaches for Envision services, key phase-specific considerations, and the importance of early stakeholder engagement.
  • Managing the Envision Verification Process: Discusses setting realistic award targets, using ISI resources, and suggests inclusive efforts involving detailed planning and communications to support developing a high-quality verification application.
  • Procurement Language and Evaluation Criteria: Provides customizable procurement language, evaluation criteria, and examples of scope and deliverables for various project types.
  • Other Available Resources and Next Steps: Offers a glossary of common Envision terminology, directs users to additional ISI resources, and encourages ongoing engagement with the ISI community. Promotes staying informed about industry developments and fostering a culture of ongoing learning and adaptation in sustainable infrastructure practices.

A renowned community pre-school project in Ethiopia pursues a vision for sustainability guided by Envision

5-May-2024

An early childhood education project in Northwestern Ethiopia is the first in Africa to register their project to pursue Envision verification.Read more

ISI Releases New Envision Credit Amendments

9-August-2022

Developed in collaboration with ISI’s Envision Review Board, two new credit amendments have been approved and are now on ISI users’ dashboards — amendments #008 and #009 (part of the Credit Amendments (v3) consolidated package under “Verification Resources” at https://v4.sustainableinfrastructure.org/login). Users can refer to the resource shown with a red box in the screenshot below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Envision guidance manual is the official reference for project assessments. Credit Amendments from ISI modify the manual to clarify how Envision credits are assessed and verified in certain situations encountered by real projects.

As a reminder, ENV SPs and other Envision users should periodically check your dashboard every few months to be sure they have the most up-to-date resources as ISI may add or amend resources at any time.