The Biggest Construction Stories of the Decade

As construction enters its third decade of the 21st century, the events and changes of the last 10 years within the industry and in the world it has been hugely dramatic—generating challenges yet to confront or understand.

But  new opportunities for next-generation professionals to provide critically needed innovation in design and construction practice, technology and business.

The growing impacts and implications of climate change over the past 10 years have been a big story for ENR and its global audience, as new studies show that the window to take action to cut harmful emissions and address high-risk areas now is only a decade away.

If nations aren’t in lockstep to make emissions cuts now, there is little chance to stay within the warming target,” said veteran engineer and sustainability advocate Bill Wallace in a 2018 ENR editorial.

“The report says that, at 1.5° C and below (we’re now at 0.8° C), climate-change mitigation and adaptation can be managed. Above that, conditions get really dicey, and fixes are really expensive.”