Reflecting on Sustainable Infrastructure
As we close another year, those of us working in sustainable infrastructure face a paradox. The term “sustainability” has become politically charged once again, even as the work it represents continues to expand and mature. Across the United States, the federal conversation around sustainability, climate and equity has grown tense and at times, hostile. Yet on the ground, in project delivery, the principles of sustainability are alive and well. They’ve simply gone a bit quieter.
At the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), we’ve watched this shift with both realism and optimism. ISI is a politically neutral organization, but we recognize that the current administration’s posture toward sustainability has had real consequences; funding cuts, program rollbacks and an atmosphere of caution among those that depend on federal support. For many, even mentioning climate change or equity in official communications now feels risky. But what we’re seeing isn’t a retreat from sustainability itself, it’s a recalibration in language.
Across the industry, sustainability has sometimes gone underground, not as a movement in hiding, but as one adapting to new conditions. Organizations continue the work under different banners: resilience, efficiency, long-term planning or asset optimization. These pragmatic terms still reflect the same substance and commitment to build infrastructure that protects people, strengthens communities and safeguards natural systems. In fact, this linguistic evolution may have a silver lining; it reminds us to focus less on slogans and more on values.
Those values, responsible stewardship, fairness, foresight and accountability transcend politics. They have always been at the heart of sustainable infrastructure. Whether we call it sustainability or simply “good engineering,” these principles guide how we deliver projects that serve the public interest. ISI encourages leaning into this values-based approach. The goal isn’t to win a semantic debate; it’s to ensure our shared commitment to a better future remains strong.
The results speak for themselves. Despite policy headwinds, the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, a sustainability rating system for civil infrastructure projects, continues to grow. Today, 455 infrastructure projects, worth more than $307 billion, are registered or verified under Envision. This is up from 396 a year ago. Over 10,000 professionals now hold the ENV SP credential, with 2,000 people credentialed this past year. ISI’s membership has grown to 850 agencies, universities, and companies across sectors. Far from shrinking, this expansion is proof that the demand for sustainable infrastructure is fundamental and increasingly global.
That global perspective offers essential context. While “sustainability” is politically sensitive in the U.S., it remains fundamental elsewhere. Countries across Latin America, Europe and Asia continue to advance national climate and resilience strategies. Envision is active in Italy, Canada, Chile, Guatemala, Colombia and China. Globally, infrastructure leaders embrace sustainability not as a partisan issue, but as an investment in long-term value and well-being.
At home, the story is equally encouraging. At the local level, where most infrastructure decisions are made, the fundamentals haven’t changed. Cities and counties still want projects that last, that make communities safer, healthier and more prosperous. Public works leaders still view sustainability as common sense; using fewer resources, saving money and building for the next generation. There’s far more unity than division when it comes to what infrastructure should accomplish.
Looking ahead, ISI is already preparing for the next chapter. We should remember that sustainability has never been about politics. It’s about the people and organizations who keep doing the work, even when the spotlight dims or the language changes. It’s about communities that choose to invest in the future rather than defer responsibility. It’s about professionals who understand that protecting the environment, enhancing equity and ensuring long-term returns are not partisan goals but universal ones.
So, while the word “sustainability” may appear less frequently in headlines, its spirit remains embedded in every responsible infrastructure decision. The movement hasn’t disappeared; it’s matured. It’s steadier, wiser and stronger.
At ISI, we see this as a moment to reaffirm, not retreat. The values that define sustainable infrastructure are the same values that define good governance, sound investment and ethical leadership. They endure through political cycles because they are the right way to build.
Progress may be quieter today, but it’s never been more critical. In the infrastructure world real progress doesn’t depend on permission, it depends on persistence.
By Anthony Kane. He is the President and CEO of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. He can be reached at Kane@SustainableInfrastructure.org
