Gensler Expands Standards for Reducing Carbon Emissions

Gensler, the world’s largest architecture firm, is making waves in the battle against climate change.

Known for iconic designs like the Shanghai Tower, the firm has recently expanded its Gensler Product Sustainability (GPS) standards, targeting 20 categories of building products and furniture.

This move aligns with Gensler’s mission to leverage design for a sustainable future.

Reducing emissions in construction

The built environment accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. Gensler recognises the need to cut emissions from building construction, renovation and demolition.

The expanded GPS standards set sustainability benchmarks across the 1.25 billion square feet of building space the firm designs annually. By applying these standards, Gensler can measure and reduce the environmental impact of materials used in projects worldwide.

“The time to specify lower-carbon materials is now, as clients increasingly focus on meeting their sustainability goals and reducing their overall carbon footprints,” says Katie Mesia, Principal and Senior Sustainability Director at Gensler. 

Embracing climate tech to reduce carbon footprints

Gensler’s GPS standards use data-driven insights to reduce emissions associated with construction materials.

By training more than 1,500 designers and 1,000 third-party manufacturers in these standards, Gensler ensures the adoption of low-carbon materials in both residential and commercial projects.

More than 2,800 products have been vetted for GPS compliance, covering everything from carpets to wall components.

David Briefel, Principal and Climate Action and Sustainability Studio Director at Gensler, sees the firm’s global impact as a powerful tool for driving change: “GPS standards reward manufacturers for making the necessary decisions to move the industry toward a more sustainable future.”

Gensler's broader sustainability mission

Gensler’s commitment to sustainability runs deep. Its focus on climate tech aims to help not only its clients meet emissions goals but also to improve sustainability across the design and architecture industries.

By leveraging the GPS standards, Gensler is taking meaningful steps to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to global emissions reduction.

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