2026 SE 2050 SUMMIT
The 2026 SE 2050 Summit convenes structural engineers committed to reducing embodied carbon and advancing sustainability in practice. Led by the SE 2050 Committee, industry experts, and SE 2050 Recognition Program Firms, the program features interactive sessions on best practices, resources, emerging trends, and implementation strategies.
In addition to expert-led discussions, attendees will learn from their peers – sharing real-world case studies and proven approaches to embodied carbon reduction. The Summit is designed to foster new relationships and collaborative networks, enabling signatory firms to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen industry-wide efforts. Participants will leave with actionable insights, practical tools, and clear pathways to execute their Embodied Carbon Action Plans, fulfill SE 2050 commitments, and advance structural engineering sustainability.
1:00-2:00 “Insights into the SE 2050 Program: Implementing Structural Engineering Sustainability Best Practices from Technical Tools to Policy Engagement”
This session explores how the SE 2050 Program is driving industry-scale embodied carbon reduction through a combination of technical best practices and policy engagement. Presented by both SE 2050 Task Group Leaders and Signatory Firm Representatives, this session offers both program updates and real-world perspectives on implementing sustainability strategies in practice. Participants will gain insights into updated reporting requirements, emerging policies, and innovative resources, while learning how data-driven strategies and collaborative frameworks can accelerate progress toward decarbonization goals.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the role of structural engineering in advancing sustainability. Understand how technical practices connect to policy engagement and industry-wide goals.
- Identify key updates to SE 2050 program mechanics and reporting requirements. Describe changes to ECAP reporting requirements and annual report expectations for 2026.
- Interpret data findings from material quantity collection and LCA databases. Recognize trends and insights that inform embodied carbon reduction strategies.
- Assess emerging policies and standards impacting structural engineering practice. Understand how these policies influence design decisions and compliance.
- Apply available resources and innovations to reduce embodied carbon at scale. Explore advancements in tools, case studies, and digital strategies for implementation.
Articulate the SE 2050 vision for 2025 and opportunities for firm engagement. Connect organizational actions to industry-scale embodied carbon reduction goals.
2:00-3:00 “Embodied Carbon Reduction Strategies, Trends, and Collaboration”
This session focuses on practical strategies for embodied carbon reduction through regional and experiential collaboration. In two interactive networking rounds, participants will first connect by geographic region to discuss what works locally—considering market trends, material availability, and common construction types—and identify leading-edge practices. Together, groups will crowdsource key collaborators to build the SE 2050 “Phonebook, ” creating a resource list of peer expertise that can be leveraged after the Summit. In the second round, mentorship circles based on experience levels will share lessons learned and actionable approaches for implementing embodied carbon strategies across projects and firms.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze regional factors—including market trends, material availability, and construction practices—that influence embodied carbon reduction strategies.
- Identify leading-edge trends and innovations relevant to their geographic context.
- Develop a collaborative contact list (SE 2050 “Phonebook”) to strengthen regional and national networks.
- Exchange actionable insights through mentorship circles to accelerate adoption of best practices.
- Prioritize strategies for implementation based on regional realities and firm capabilities.
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15 – 4:45 “Building Fluency and Applying Technology for Embodied Carbon Reduction”
Ideal for those new to the SE 2050 commitment or considering joining, this session ensures all attendees are fluent in the language of embodied carbon, covering fundamentals and best practices for incorporating measurement and reduction strategies into design workflows. Building on this foundation, participants will explore technological resources, including translating LCA results into actionable databases, visualizing carbon performance, aligning with the new SEI Prestandard for Assessing the Embodied Carbon of Structural Systems, and leveraging AI-driven solutions such as specification review agents. Attendees will leave equipped with both conceptual understanding and practical digital methods to enable scalable decarbonization.
Learning Objectives:
- Define key concepts and terminology related to embodied carbon and sustainability in structural engineering.
- Apply best practices for measuring and reducing embodied carbon in design workflows.
- Translate life-cycle assessment (LCA) outputs into structured data for integration into firm-level or project databases.
- Use data visualization techniques to communicate embodied carbon performance effectively.
- Align LCAs with the SEI Prestandard for Assessing the Embodied Carbon of Structural Systems.
- Evaluate AI-driven approaches for automating specification review and supporting sustainability goals.
3:15-4:45 “Design Innovation and Practical Application”
Participants who already understand the fundamentals and want to focus on implementation should attend this session focused on advancing embodied carbon reduction through innovative design strategies and real-world applications. Participants will explore approaches such as material optimization, low-carbon concrete, biogenic materials, and integrating seismic resilience into repair and replacement life-cycle stages. The presentation will also address considerations for existing buildings and structural reuse of steel, concrete, and timber. Through collaborative exercises and case-based insights, attendees will practice how to apply these strategies effectively in diverse project contexts, balancing sustainability goals with performance and constructability.
Learning Objectives
- Identify innovative design strategies for reducing embodied carbon, including material optimization and low-carbon concrete solutions.
- Evaluate the role of biogenic materials and their potential for carbon sequestration in structural systems.
- Incorporate seismic resilience considerations into embodied carbon assessments for repair and replacement life-cycle stages
- Assess opportunities for structural reuse of steel, concrete, and timber in both new and retrofit projects.
- Apply embodied carbon reduction strategies to existing building scenarios while maintaining structural integrity and performance.
- Translate design concepts into practical applications that align with sustainability targets and project constraints.
4:45-5:15 “SE 2050 Resources and Next Steps”
This closing session focuses on equipping participants with the organizational strategies and resources needed to sustain momentum beyond the Summit. Attendees will learn about the SE 2050 Mentorship Program, Supporting Organization Program, and the SEI Decarbonization Roadmap, all designed to foster collaboration and accelerate industry-wide embodied carbon reduction. The session will also provide an opportunity to pitch new working groups and identify emerging areas for collective action. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools, clear engagement pathways, and actionable next steps to execute their firm’s Embodied Carbon Action Plan, fulfill their firm’s commitments as an SE 2050 Signatory, and advance structural sustainability.
Learning Objectives:
- Access and apply SE 2050 resources to support their Embodied Carbon Action Plan.
- Describe the SE 2050 Mentorship Program and its role in knowledge transfer and professional development.
- Explain the SE 2050 Supporting Organization Program and how firms can participate to amplify impact.
- Interpret the SEI Decarbonization Roadmap and its implications for firm-level strategy.
- Identify opportunities for new working groups and collaborative initiatives to address emerging sustainability challenges.
- Develop actionable next steps to fulfill SE 2050 commitments and accelerate embodied carbon reduction.
Registration Options:
- This event can be registered independently or as add-on to Structures Congress 2026.
- Onsite registration is not possible for SE 2050 Signatory Summit.
Additional Opportunity:
- All summit attendees are also welcome to attend the SE 2050 committee meeting earlier that day at 10 a.m. ET.