ABSTRACT
The SE2050 program is sponsored by the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) with the aim to reach net-zero embodied carbon of structural materials by the year 2050. This goal is based on global carbon targets for building materials required to limit to a 1.5-degree temperature increase per the Paris Climate Agreement. Approximately 100 independent design firms across the U.S. have joined this program. Firms committing to join the program follow four steps: sustainable practice education, embodied carbon tracking on projects, embodied carbon reduction in designs over time and advocacy for change with architects, contractors and owners. SE2050 is building a structural embodied carbon database for U.S. projects to establish carbon benchmarks and track industry-wide carbon emissions towards a net-zero future.
Engineers looking at the bigger picture should think holistically about limiting environmental impacts. This paper explores this program in comparison to other global industry efforts for embodied carbon reduction. The structural design process impacts are explored, presenting resources provided to designers and how firms incorporate carbon calculations into practice.
