Arup and Autodesk Join Forces to Accelerate Decarbonization in Construction Industry

Global engineering consultancy Arup and software leader Autodesk have launched a strategic partnership to transform carbon management across the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) sectors. This marks the first collaboration under Autodesk’s new sustainability initiative, aiming to deliver scalable tools for reducing emissions in an industry responsible for 34% of global energy-related carbon output.

With the global building footprint expected to double by 2060, and 75% of 2050 infrastructure yet to be built, the partnership responds to the urgent demand for practical decarbonization solutions. It combines Arup’s deep expertise in whole-life carbon assessment with Autodesk’s advanced technology platforms, aligning with global climate goals such as the Paris Agreement.

The collaboration focuses on empowering asset owners and investors (the key decision-makers in the built environment) with actionable insights. It also aims to encourage broader industry involvement.

Core initiatives include the development of Building Information Modelling (BIM) guidelines for carbon assessment in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. The partnership will also support industry standardization of whole-life carbon data, producing a co-authored whitepaper. In addition, the companies will explore AI-driven decarbonization strategies and integrate automated carbon assessment tools into BIM workflows.

Arup’s leadership in global carbon data management will play a central role in shaping Autodesk’s evolving sustainability tools.

“This partnership merges our carbon expertise with Autodesk’s technology to create data-driven solutions for net-zero buildings,” said Jo da Silva, Arup’s Global Sustainable Development Leader. Autodesk’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Joe Speicher, added: “Collaborating with Arup ensures our carbon management innovations are both practical and impactful.”

Amid rising material costs and labour constraints, the AECO industry increasingly needs agile, sustainable solutions. Digital technologies, when scaled, could cut global emissions by up to 20% by 2050, underscoring the transformative potential of this alliance.

Source: arup.com