Autodesk and BamCore: Paving the Way to a Resilient Future

Autodesk has released its FY24 Impact Report detailing its commitment to supporting a resilient future.

Summary from Autodesk Foundation Leadership

As we reflect on a year marked by unprecedented challenges—from record-breaking temperatures to geopolitical conflicts and a shifting labor market—one constant has been the Autodesk Foundation’s unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and workforce development. By catalyzing and de-risking innovative solutions, we have focused on these intertwined challenges, recognizing the need for sustained attention across sectors, industries, and communities.

This year has validated our work, bolstered our commitments, and compelled us to leverage our best resources for greater impact. In doing so, we:

• Expanded our portfolio of organizations developing climate mitigation technologies.

• Advanced climate adaptation technologies to strengthen infrastructure in under-resourced communities.

• Invested in workforce development initiatives to upskill workers and create more inclusive access to green jobs.

Autodesk Impact Metrics and Achievements

Our portfolio organizations have collectively scaled their impact:

• Reaching 110 million people with resilient solutions in housing, infrastructure, energy access, agricultural productivity, and workforce development.

• Reducing 2.2 million metric tons of CO2e emissions in 2023.

• Supporting 12,900 people in obtaining new or improved jobs in 2023.

In their report, you will learn more about their commitment to measuring and managing impact and how their unique combination of catalytic capital and strategic in-kind resources builds expertise and capacity and directly contributes to impact outcomes. Additionally, you’ll discover how thousands of Autodesk employees applied their skills for impact through volunteering, charitable giving, and grantmaking.

* Cumulative potential GHG emissions reduction through 2050 from organizations that were a part of the Autodesk Foundation portfolio during the year noted. These data were calculated by third-party expert Rho Impact in collaboration with portfolio organizations and the Autodesk Foundation.

BamCore and Autodesk: Decarbonizing Construction with Bamboo and the Cloud

With the built environment contributing to 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, BamCore is at the forefront of driving change in construction through innovative green building techniques and Autodesk technology. BamCore’s hybrid bamboo wall panels offer a sustainable alternative to traditional wood-framed structures, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of buildings.

BamCore has also developed a job site app to connect all construction personnel to a single digital model for each project. This app, combined with prefabricated and numbered wall panels, makes the installation process faster and more cost-effective than traditional construction methods.

BamCore's Environmental Impact in 2023

Current Impacts:

• Carbon removal and durable storage: BamCore's products help remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it durably in buildings.

• GHG emissions reduction: Increased building energy efficiency reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

• GHG emissions avoided: Using materials with low embodied carbon avoids additional emissions.

• Reduction of construction waste: Prefabrication and efficient design minimize waste on job sites.

Future Potential Impacts:

• Land restoration: Using bamboo and Eucalyptus promotes land-use efficiency and restoration.

• Biochar production: Additional durable carbon storage through biochar.

Environmental Impacts Measured in 2023:

• BamCore published its first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), confirming that the bamboo-hybrid BamCore Framing Panel is cradle-to-gate carbon-negative, with gross carbon storage of 3.08 kg CO2eq per sq ft.

• A study by Greentech Knowledge Solutions showed that using the BamCore DuoShear Framing system in a 5-story multi-family building reduces:

  • operational carbon by up to 6%,

  • embodied carbon by up to 116%,

  • and total carbon by up to 40%.
    

Job Creation and Economic Impact

BamCore is creating construction jobs for low-skilled and low-income workers in the U.S. and harvesting and processing jobs locally in the Global South, where it sources bamboo and Eucalyptus. This job creation supports both local economies and global environmental goals.

Conclusion

While the year ahead presents familiar and unknown challenges, Autodesk and BamCore remain steadfast in their vision to transform industries and support a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. The partnership between Autodesk and BamCore exemplifies the power of innovation and collaboration in addressing global challenges. Together, we are paving the way for a resilient future, transforming the construction industry with sustainable materials and cutting-edge technology. We will continue to lead with courage, accountability, and transparency, leveraging our resources and expertise to drive positive change.

Learn more about our initiatives and impacts at Autodesk Foundation and BamCore.