ACEC’s Education Session on What Engineers Need to Know About Standard of Care in a Changing Climate

This week, ACEC’s Coalitions Team held an education session on  “The Standard of Care in a Changing Climate: What Engineers Need to Know.” This initiative united professionals from the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) fields to drive collaboration and promote sound policy, all while supporting the future of the engineering profession.

One of the key objectives was to provide timely education that empowers firms to stay ahead of emerging challenges. As climate impacts become more frequent and severe, engineers are facing rising expectations and risks, from legal responsibilities to evolving client demands. To support engineers in navigating this complex landscape, ACEC released new guidance on applying the Standard of Care in this changing environment.

During the session, Yvonne Castillo, Director at Victor Risk Advisory, grounded attendees in the climate science driving these changes, highlighting the importance of considering future conditions in engineering decisions. Andrew Ratzkin, General Counsel at POWER Engineers and a member of WSP, provided a legal perspective, discussing how liability and duty of care are evolving in response to these new challenges. Joe Barbagallo, PE, President of Consulting at Woodard & Curran, shared practical insights on navigating these risks, emphasizing the need for informed consent and documentation when advising clients on climate impacts.

Read The Full Commentary Here: ACEC Commentary on Climate Change and the Engineer’s Standard of Care

This session is available On-Demand: https://education.acec.org/diweb/catalog/item?id=17812034