This course will examine Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) through the lens of the A/E/C industry and building product manufacturers. It will review the evolution of ESG from the 1980s when organizations began to regulate and manage pollution, improve labor and safety standards, and improve other negative outcomes of economic growth. The three pillars of ESG will be discussed generally, then from the perspective of the A/E/C industry, and finally through the lens of a window and door manufacturer and their specific ESG agenda. The course will conclude with a case study that achieved Living Building Challenge certification and helped both an architecture firm and window and door manufacturer achieve ESG goals.


Learning Objectives

  • Define the three Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) pillars and how corporate sustainability initiatives have evolved.
  • Explore how Environmental, Social, and Governance pillars are being pursued in the A/E/C community.
  • Examine the role building product manufacturers can play in improving the health and safety of the labor force while reducing environmental impact.
  • Analyze a project that achieved Living Building Challenge certification and helped both an architecture firm and window and door manufacturer achieve ESG goals.

Pre-requisite: None.