ESG in AEC: Environment – Shifting to a Carbon-Neutral Industry

Building construction and operation accounts for 37% of global carbon dioxide emissions. This jarring statistic, reported in 2021 by the United Nations Environment Programme’s global status report, and those reported over the last several decades have refocused our industry’s efforts from minimizing its negative impact to neutralizing and supporting the recovery of greenhouse gases through innovation in the built environment. Sustainable design and construction practices once considered novel are now critical factors to an industry attempting to stunt the effects of climate change by 2030. Through this program, attendees will learn:

• How the UNEP’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being implemented not only in how projects are designed and built, but how they are approved and funded
• What knowledge, experience, and innovative practices are captured in the mission, vision, and values of firms best positioned to deliver this expertise and/or support
• The process and responsibility of defining, tracking, and reporting sustainability data, seeking accreditation
• If funding from the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) and Inflation Reduction Act will impact public work as efficiently as, or in conjunction with, private investment

Moderator: Kyle Goehring – Head of Sustainability, Turner & Townsend

Kyle leads Turner & Townsend’s sustainability practice across the United States. His experience establishing sustainability goals, evaluating technologies, solutions providers and coordinating delivery teams has enabled the investment of billions of dollars into sustainability programs and reducing carbon footprints across tens of millions of square feet. He has led multi-faceted teams that include design, engineering, construction, finance, and technology professionals and has worked across a wide variety of market sectors. Under Kyle’s leadership, organizations have successfully implemented Net Zero, 100% renewable energy, and climate resiliency programs