The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) Foundation is proud to announce the launch of CURE—Code Updates for Reduction of Embodied-Carbon—a bold new initiative aimed at significantly reducing embodied carbon through updates to structural engineering codes and standards.
Structural engineers influence nearly 15% of global CO₂ emissions through their specification of materials. Even a modest 1% reduction in material use would equal the environmental benefit of removing 10 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road for a year. CURE is designed to seize that opportunity through smarter, more efficient design standards.
“CURE is about rethinking the assumptions built into our structural codes and unlocking meaningful reductions in carbon emissions at scale,” said Ron Klemencic, P.E., S.E., Hon. AIA, and Secretary of the NCSEA Foundation Board of Directors, who is leading the effort. “We have a responsibility, and a real opportunity, to modernize the codes that guide our profession.”
CURE is a collaboration among leaders in structural engineering and sustainability, including ASCE/SEI, AISC, ACI, the Charles Pankow Foundation, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the MKA Foundation. The initiative focuses on identifying and recommending targeted updates to widely used standards such as ASCE 7, ACI 318, and AISC provisions, with the goal of reducing embodied carbon across the built environment.
In addition to Klemencic’s leadership, Kelly Roberts, P.E., S.E., LEED AP BD+C, represents the NCSEA Foundation on the CURE Advisory Panel, and Emily Guglielmo, P.E., S.E., serves on the Embodied Carbon Code Review Committee. Their technical expertise and advocacy ensure that the voice of the structural engineering community is central to the initiative.
How To Get Involved
The CURE committee officially launched its work at the 2025 Towards Zero Carbon Summit and will provide quarterly progress updates, with final recommendations expected by June 2026.
Firms can support the initiative with a minimum gift of $1,000, joining a coalition of sustainability-minded organizations helping shape the next generation of building codes. Donors will receive early access to draft findings and the opportunity to provide feedback that informs national standards.
To learn more or make a donation, visit www.ncsea.com/cure.