Liz Clark, PE, ENV SP, SITES AP, Director of Engineering, GPR, Inc., BSCES Secretary and Committee on Sustainability Chair
The BSCES Committee on Sustainability is seeking new members. If you are interested in promoting sustainable initiatives in civil engineering, please contact us at [email protected]. We meet monthly via Zoom to discuss topics related to sustainability, resilience, and “green” design practices.
Our mission is to raise awareness and provide guidance on sustainable and resilient practices in civil engineering, with a focus on the “triple bottom line” — environmental, economic, and social conditions. We engage with both the public and the civil engineering community through events, newsletter articles, and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of sustainable planning, design, and construction. In addition, we promote tools, certifications, and awards that support sustainable practices in the built environment.
The BSCES Committee on Sustainability has been actively exploring the impact of carbon emissions in construction, recognizing the critical role the built environment plays in contributing to climate change. Earlier, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Concrete Sustainability Hub, the Committee hosted a panel discussion focused on sustainable concrete practices across the material’s entire life cycle — from lower-carbon production methods to the availability of “greener” concrete options in New England and potential future innovations. Given that concrete is the second most consumed material in the world after water and accounts for approximately 6% of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions, this topic remains central to our mission. To further support this initiative, we have included an article in this issue that delves deeper into carbon in construction and sustainable solutions. We invite you to read more and join us in advancing sustainability in civil engineering.
While carbon in construction is a major focus, it is just one aspect of sustainability and resilience in civil engineering. Our diverse group of members — including water resource engineers, traffic engineers, structural engineers, academics, and sustainability and resilience professionals — understands that sustainability impacts all areas of civil engineering practice.
We are excited for the upcoming BSCES Annual Awards Dinner in June, where we will recognize outstanding achievements in sustainable design.
If you are passionate about sustainability in civil engineering, we would love to hear from you!