Tools and Techniques for Assessing Sustainability in Engineering Design 2025 TIEEP Water Forum
03/06/2025
30m 31s
In this talk, Dr. Andrew Shaw from the Engineering firm Black & Veatch, talked about applying sustainability principles in engineering design. Starting with some background information on sustainability concepts, he introduced attendees to two very different tools that can be used to assess sustainability. Firstly, he talked about the ENVISION rating system which was developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) in 2010 specifically to assess infrastructure projects. Using a rating system that鈥檚 similar to the well-known LEED system for buildings, the ENVISION rating system has features that enable it to be applied more readily to infrastructure projects. Secondly, he talked about the use of life cycle assessments (LCA) to assess potential environmental impacts beyond just tracking carbon footprint, and through the different phases of project design, construction, use, and decommissioning. He wrapped up the talk with some general comments on meta trends affecting how we look at sustainability in engineering design.
About the Speaker
Dr. Andrew Shaw
Global Practice & Technology Leader
Black & Veatch
Andrew is a Global Practice & Technology Leader in Wastewater and Sustainability for Black & Veatch, based in their Houston office.
Andrew is the past chair of the Technical Practice Committee for the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and he serves on the board of trustees for the American Association for Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES). He is a past board member for the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision review board.
He has over 30 years of wastewater treatment experience from 4 continents including operations, design, and research.