Every growing city faces a difficult question. How can it create new homes, offices, roads, and public spaces without placing more pressure on the environment? As climate change, urban growth, and ageing infrastructure continue to challenge communities around the world, governments and businesses are looking for practical ways to reduce carbon emissions while improving the quality of life for future generations.
This challenge has changed the way buildings and infrastructure are planned. Sustainable design is no longer an option reserved for a few projects. It has become an important part of modern development. Companies that combine engineering, environmental expertise, and digital innovation are helping cities meet these new expectations. Among them, Arcadis has built a strong reputation by delivering projects that improve the performance of buildings, transportation systems, water networks, and other essential infrastructure while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Arcadis is a global design, engineering, and consultancy company that focuses on natural and built assets. The company works with governments, developers, utilities, and private organisations across the world to deliver projects involving buildings, mobility, water, energy, environmental restoration, and urban development. Rather than manufacturing construction products, Arcadis provides the expertise needed to design, manage, and improve projects that reduce environmental impact and increase resilience.
Its work has earned recognition from respected industry organisations for engineering excellence, innovation, and environmental, social, and governance performance. These achievements reflect a long-term commitment to helping clients create more sustainable and resilient communities.
Arcadis places sustainability at the centre of its services
Arcadis integrates sustainability into every stage of a project instead of treating it as a separate service. From the earliest planning process through design, construction support, and long-term asset management, the company helps clients improve environmental performance while meeting operational and financial goals. The company’s multidisciplinary teams include architects, engineers, environmental scientists, planners, consultants, and digital specialists who work together to solve complex infrastructure challenges. This collaborative approach allows Arcadis to develop solutions that balance environmental responsibility with practical business needs.
Arcadis supports projects across several sectors, including the built environment, transportation, water management, mobility, energy transition, and environmental remediation. Whether designing commercial buildings, improving public infrastructure, restoring natural environments, or managing water resources, the company focuses on creating solutions that improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen resilience.
Digital technology has also become an important part of the company’s services. Arcadis uses digital modelling, engineering data, and intelligent asset management tools to help clients make informed decisions throughout the life cycle of their infrastructure. These technologies support better planning, more efficient operations, and improved maintenance while helping organisations use resources more effectively. This combination of engineering expertise, sustainability, and digital capability has made Arcadis a trusted partner for organisations working to improve the long-term performance of their assets.
Independent recognition reflects Arcadis’ commitment to sustainability
Arcadis has received several respected awards and ratings that recognise both its engineering expertise and its environmental performance.
In 2024, Fast Company included Arcadis in its list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. The recognition highlighted organisations that develop innovative solutions capable of creating meaningful impact for businesses and society. The company’s environmental, social, and governance performance has also received strong independent recognition. Sustainalytics ranked Arcadis among the top 2% of companies within its industry for ESG Risk Rating performance, reflecting the company’s approach to managing environmental, social, and governance risks.
In 2025, Arcadis received the EcoVadis Gold Medal, placing it among the top 2% of companies assessed globally by EcoVadis. The assessment evaluates organisations across environmental management, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The recognition demonstrated that sustainability is embedded not only in the company’s projects but also in its internal business practices.
Arcadis also earned an A− rating from CDP for Climate Change in 2025. CDP evaluates how organisations measure, manage, and reduce climate-related risks through transparent environmental reporting and effective climate strategies. Engineering excellence remains another important part of the company’s reputation. At the 2026 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards, Arcadis projects received Grand and National Recognition Awards, reflecting the company’s ability to deliver high-quality engineering solutions across major infrastructure projects. Together, these independent recognitions demonstrate that Arcadis combines technical expertise with strong environmental and governance performance.
Strategic acquisitions have expanded Arcadis’ technical expertise
Arcadis has strengthened its global capabilities through organic growth and carefully selected acquisitions that complement its existing expertise. One of the company’s most significant acquisitions was Malcolm Pirnie, a respected environmental engineering and water consultancy. The acquisition strengthened Arcadis’ expertise in water resources, environmental engineering, and infrastructure consulting, particularly across North America. By bringing Malcolm Pirnie into the business, Arcadis expanded its ability to provide integrated services covering engineering, environmental science, planning, and consulting. The additional expertise enabled the company to support more complex projects involving water management, environmental restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure.
Over the years, Arcadis has continued to strengthen its technical capabilities through acquisitions that support its long-term strategy in engineering, digital solutions, resilience planning, environmental consulting, and asset management. This approach has helped the company broaden its expertise while continuing to focus on delivering sustainable solutions for clients around the world.
Heather Polinsky brings more than three decades of engineering leadership
Heather Polinsky became Chief Executive Officer of Arcadis on 1 March 2026 after being announced as the company’s CEO nominee in December 2025. She succeeded Alan Brookes following a long leadership career within the organisation. Polinsky has more than 30 years of experience in engineering, environmental science, consulting, and business leadership. Before becoming CEO, she served as Global President, Resilience and Mobility, where she led one of the company’s largest global business areas and helped guide its strategy for resilient infrastructure and sustainable development.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the College of William & Mary and later completed a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Before joining Arcadis in 1999, Polinsky built her early career in environmental science and engineering, including work with the U.S. Army Environmental Command. During her time at Arcadis, she held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer for North America, before leading the company’s global Resilience and Mobility business.
Polinsky has helped shape Arcadis’ strategic direction by supporting business transformation, strengthening collaboration across global teams, and expanding services that address climate resilience, environmental challenges, and sustainable infrastructure. Her leadership experience across operations and engineering has contributed to the company’s ability to deliver integrated solutions for clients facing increasingly complex environmental and infrastructure needs. As CEO, she continues to guide Arcadis with a focus on technical excellence, responsible business practices, and long-term value creation.
Arcadis delivers practical solutions for sustainable development
Arcadis believes that good engineering should create measurable improvements for both people and the environment. The company applies this principle across projects involving buildings, transportation, water, energy, and environmental restoration. Its work often combines engineering design with environmental planning, helping clients reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, strengthen water security, and make infrastructure more resilient to changing climate conditions. By bringing together specialists from different disciplines, Arcadis develops solutions that consider the entire life cycle of an asset rather than focusing only on the construction phase.
Digital engineering also supports many of the company’s projects. Arcadis uses digital modelling, data analysis, and asset management technologies to help clients understand how infrastructure will perform over time. These tools allow organisations to improve operational efficiency, plan maintenance more effectively, and make informed decisions that support sustainability goals. This integrated approach allows clients to improve environmental performance while protecting the long-term value of their investments.
Engineering excellence supports Arcadis’ global reputation
Independent recognition has reinforced Arcadis’ reputation as a trusted engineering and consultancy company. The 2026 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards recognised Arcadis projects with Grand and National Recognition Awards. These awards honour engineering achievements that demonstrate innovation, technical quality, and value for clients and communities.
The company’s sustainability recognitions also reflect its commitment to responsible business practices. Its EcoVadis Gold Medal, CDP Climate Change rating, and Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating are based on independent assessments rather than self-reported claims. These evaluations examine areas such as environmental management, governance, ethics, labour practices, climate strategy, and sustainable procurement. Together, these recognitions show that Arcadis maintains high standards across both project delivery and corporate operations.
Arcadis plays an important role in the green building industry
The global green building industry includes manufacturers, construction companies, architects, technology providers, and engineering consultancies. Arcadis has established its position by focusing on consultancy, engineering, and design rather than producing construction materials or building products. The company influences sustainability by helping clients make better decisions throughout the planning, design, and management of buildings and infrastructure. Its services support projects involving commercial buildings, transportation systems, water infrastructure, industrial facilities, public spaces, and urban developments.
Because Arcadis works across many sectors, it can help clients address environmental challenges that extend beyond individual buildings. Its multidisciplinary teams consider how transportation, water management, energy use, environmental protection, and infrastructure planning interact to create more sustainable communities. This broad perspective has made Arcadis an important partner for governments, developers, infrastructure owners, and private organisations seeking practical engineering solutions that support environmental goals.
Supporting clients through integrated engineering and consultancy
Many organisations face increasing expectations to improve environmental performance while maintaining reliable and cost-effective infrastructure. Arcadis supports these clients by combining engineering, environmental consulting, digital technology, and sustainability expertise within one integrated service.
The company helps clients improve energy efficiency, strengthen climate resilience, manage water resources responsibly, restore natural environments, and improve the long-term performance of buildings and infrastructure assets. By considering environmental, operational, and financial factors together, Arcadis helps organisations make informed decisions throughout the life cycle of their projects.
Its independent ESG ratings and industry awards also provide additional confidence for clients selecting engineering and consultancy partners. External recognition from organisations such as Fast Company, Sustainalytics, EcoVadis, CDP, and the American Council of Engineering Companies demonstrates that Arcadis meets recognised standards for innovation, environmental management, governance, and engineering quality.
Building a more sustainable future
The need for sustainable infrastructure continues to influence how cities, businesses, and governments approach development. Improving environmental performance while maintaining reliable infrastructure requires careful planning, strong engineering expertise, and practical solutions that can deliver measurable results. Arcadis has built its reputation by combining these strengths across a wide range of projects. Its work in sustainable design, environmental consulting, digital engineering, water management, and resilient infrastructure demonstrates how engineering can help address modern environmental challenges while supporting long-term economic development.
The company’s recognised achievements, strategic acquisitions, and independent sustainability ratings reflect a consistent commitment to responsible business practices and technical excellence. Under the leadership of Heather Polinsky, Arcadis continues to help clients develop buildings and infrastructure that balance environmental responsibility with operational performance. As organisations continue to invest in greener buildings and more resilient infrastructure, Arcadis remains a trusted engineering and consultancy partner for projects that aim to improve communities while reducing environmental impact. Through thoughtful design, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to sustainability, the company continues to contribute to a built environment that is better prepared for the future.
