Arcadis: Embedding Sustainability into the Built Environment

Leading global design, engineering, and consultancy firm Arcadis, headquartered in Amsterdam, is at the forefront of sustainability innovation. With 36,000 associates worldwide, the company is committed to creating a planet-positive future by embedding sustainability into every aspect of its operations and client projects. 

Embedding sustainability into Arcadis

At Arcadis, sustainability is more than a buzzword – it’s a guiding principle woven into every facet of the organisation. Under the leadership of Mark McKenna, the company’s Global Sustainability Director, Arcadis has established the Sustainability Management Board—a governance structure designed to ensure alignment across all functions, from investment decisions to project execution.

“We take our mantra – embedding sustainability into everything we do – seriously,” Mark explains. “This means aligning our actions and investments with our sustainability goals to ensure we deliver meaningful impact.”

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Arcadis’ three strategic pillars

• Sustainable project choices
• Human and digital innovation
• Powered by our people

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One of Arcadis’ three strategic pillars is sustainable project choices, which prioritises solutions that address global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include initiatives in energy transition, clean cities, environmental restoration and nature-based solutions.

“Inherently, the solutions we provide for clients are sustainability-led,” Mark says. “It’s about making good decisions on projects we’re already involved in while targeting new opportunities aligned with our strategy.”

The road to net zero

Arcadis has set an ambitious goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2035—a target first announced in 2021. This commitment encompasses not only the company’s internal operations but also its client projects across various industries.

“Net zero isn’t just about our operations – it’s about helping our clients decarbonise their sectors as well,” Mark affirms. “Decarbonisation across all industries is essential for achieving global climate goals.”

One of Arcadis’ flagship initiatives is Project Carbon, part of its Future Impact Programme. This programme assesses whole-life carbon—considering emissions from construction through to demolition—on all new major projects. 

“When we launched our 2024-2026 strategy during Capital Markets Day in November 2023, we committed to assessing whole-life carbon on all new major projects,” Mark shares. “This sets an expectation for evidence-based solutions that deliver decarbonisation.”

Prioritising nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions are central to Arcadis’ approach to climate resilience and decarbonisation. These strategies leverage natural systems, such as wetlands or forests, to address challenges like flooding or carbon sequestration while enhancing biodiversity and societal benefits.

“Nature-based solutions are fundamental to achieving net zero outcomes,” Mark explains. “Decarbonisation relies on restoring and regenerating nature.”

One standout project is Arcadis’ work on the Lower Manhattan shoreline in New York City. This resilience strategy aims to protect the city from storm surges and flooding while safeguarding economic assets and communities in the area. 

“It’s a flagship project that demonstrates how nature-based solutions can deliver societal and environmental benefits,” Mark shares.

Arcadis’ historical connection to environmental work further underscores its commitment to nature-based solutions. Founded over a century ago with an emphasis on environmental restoration, this legacy continues to inform its modern-day projects.

Tackling carbon in the built environment

The built environment—comprising buildings and infrastructure—is responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions. Recognising this challenge, Arcadis has implemented strategies to reduce both embodied carbon (emissions from materials) and operational carbon (emissions during use).

Through its Future Impact Programme, Arcadis collaborates with partners like OneClick LCA to assess whole-life carbon impacts on projects such as the M5 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme in the UK, where it aims for a 30% reduction in emissions. 

“We’re driving decarbonisation through quantifiable evidence-based solutions,” Mark explains.

“Reducing carbon in the built environment requires innovative approaches. Our Future Impact Programme ensures that sustainability metrics are embedded into every stage of project delivery.”

Training and partnerships for long-term impact

To ensure sustainability remains central to its operations, Arcadis invests heavily in training programmes, methodologies and industry partnerships through its Future Impact Programme. These initiatives aim to embed sustainability metrics into every project stage—from design to delivery—while fostering collaboration across sectors.

“Sustainability measurement isn’t just an end goal; it’s an enabler for impact-led solutions,” Mark emphasises.

By focusing on areas such as water conservation, circular economy principles (which aim to minimise waste by reusing resources) and social equity, Arcadis ensures that its projects deliver balanced outcomes across multiple dimensions of sustainability.

“Our role is to push boundaries—to develop solutions that go beyond compliance and create real value for society,” Mark says.

The role of digital innovation

Digital innovation plays a pivotal role in advancing Arcadis’ sustainability agenda. By leveraging data analytics, digital tools and advanced modelling techniques, the company enhances its ability to deliver sustainable outcomes efficiently.

“Our three strategic pillars—sustainable project choices, human and digital innovation, and powered by our people—all work together,” Mark explains.

Through initiatives like digital twins (virtual replicas of physical assets used for simulation), Arcadis helps clients optimise resource use while reducing costs and environmental impact.

A personal commitment to change

Reflecting on his role at Arcadis, Mark is proud to be part of an organisation that prioritises meaningful change. 

“What makes me proud is working in an environment where we deliver solutions that address some of the world’s greatest challenges,” he says.

For Mark and Arcadis sustainability isn’t just about meeting targets, it’s about creating lasting impact through innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment.

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