About Envision
Plan, Design, and Deliver More Sustainable Infrastructure
The Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework was developed to help infrastructure professionals plan, design, and deliver more sustainable infrastructure projects of all types and sizes. Through a comprehensive set of sustainability and resilience criteria, Envision supports infrastructure that benefits communities, strengthens environmental stewardship, addresses climate change, supports public health needs, encourages environmental justice, creates jobs, spurs economic activity, and advances organizational goals.
The Envision framework is publicly available and can be used by project teams to guide decision-making, identify opportunities to improve project performance, and deliver greater long-term value to communities. For teams seeking to demonstrate and validate their sustainability achievements, Envision verification provides an independent, third-party review process that recognizes project accomplishments through a transparent and credible assessment.
Who developed Envision?
Envision was developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) in collaboration with the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. The American Public Works Association (APWA), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) founded ISI and remain integral supporters.
Learn more about the history of Envision
Envision provides a consistent, consensus-based framework for assessing sustainability, resiliency, and equity in civil infrastructure, but to remain relevant, the Envision framework must be periodically updated to reflect the rapidly evolving infrastructure industry. Since the inception of Envision, significant changes in technology, industry trends, and sustainability practices have occurred, prompting the need for revisions to keep the framework at the forefront of sustainability innovation.
These updates are informed by feedback from the community of Envision users, lessons learned from years of applying Envision to billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure projects, and ongoing developments in sustainability practices. The process for integrating these updates is driven by industry experts, ISI staff, and the Envision Review Board – a group of industry-leading professionals accountable to the ISI Board of Directors for maintaining the integrity of the Envision framework. By continually refining the framework, ISI ensures that Envision reflects the latest advancements and challenges in infrastructure, helping stakeholders maintain high standards of environmental, social, and economic performance.
Envision v1 (published in 2011)
ISI’s Zofnass Research Program (originally the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure) was founded in 2007 at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Its purpose was to create tools and methods to quantify sustainability in infrastructure. In 2010, the program began partnering with ISI, which was founded by ACEC, APWA, and ASCE. Each of these founding organizations was developing a sustainable infrastructure program and saw the need for a standardized framework for classification of sustainability practices. The organizations decided to work together to form ISI to develop and manage what would become the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework. The first version of Envision for industry review and comment was released in 2011.
Envision v2 (published in 2012)
The Zofnass Program continued to partner with ISI to combine academic research with industry expertise while incorporating feedback on v1. This led to the release of a second version of Envision in early 2012, filling a critical gap by providing a comprehensive sustainability framework and rating system for civil infrastructure development. Later that year, ISI launched the Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential to demonstrate knowledge of the Envision framework, and the first project was verified for an Envision Award in 2013.
Envision v3 (published in 2018)
The third version of Envision, released in 2018, was a significant update from v2, reflecting the ongoing evolution of sustainability practices in the infrastructure industry. The revision process began in 2015, and the updated framework introduced enhanced sustainability indicators, refined criteria, improved clarity, and additional credits to better address emerging challenges and opportunities in infrastructure development. This includes a greater emphasis on resilience – especially in the wake of major natural disasters – and on evaluating the economics of infrastructure projects.
Elemental Differences Between Envision v2 and Envision v3
Envision v4 (to be published in 2028)
ISI and the Envision Review Board have initiated a process to refine and enhance the current Envision framework, with the objective of publishing a fourth version of Envision in 2028. Additional detail about this update will be added to the Envision v4 webpage as the process progresses.
Who uses Envision?
Public Agencies — More than 400 federal, state, provincial, regional, and local government agency ISI members are using the framework to set standards for sustainable infrastructure and guide procurement. Agencies that use Envision and employ at least one Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) within their workforce are designated as Envision Supported Agencies.
Private Companies — There are more than 300 corporations and trade/professional association members applying the framework to set higher performance goals for projects and to collaborate and communicate on achieving those goals. Companies that use Envision and employ at least one Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) within their workforce are designated as Envision Qualified Companies.
Academic Institutions — More than 200 universities, colleges, and other higher education programs are integrating Envision into capstone and other design-focused courses, engineering curricula, planning and public works programs, interdisciplinary sustainability initiatives, community-based and applied learning projects, and research. Through these applications, Envision supports career pathways in engineering, planning, construction, and management while advancing many of the student outcomes emphasized by ABET.
How can Envision benefit infrastructure projects?
Envision can be used to establish shared sustainability goals, compare strategies, guide decisions across project phases, and identify opportunities to improve performance, resilience, and long-term value. The framework can support early planning, design, delivery, operations, and self-assessment, with verification available for teams ready to seek independent review and recognition.
Benefits for Projects
Benefits for Organizations
Whether your organization is setting sustainability goals, comparing project alternatives, strengthening resilience, or preparing for independent verification, Envision provides a common language and practical structure for making informed infrastructure decisions — and a clear pathway for projects ready to demonstrate their achievements.
