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DPR Construction's Sustainability Milestone

DPR Construction, a self-performing general contractor based in California, has successfully ascended to the third position on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) 2026 Top Green Contractors list. This marks a commendable climb from the fourth spot in the previous year. The noteworthy ranking reflects the company's commitment to sustainability in the construction industry.

According to ENR, the Top Green Contractors list is generated based on revenue from construction services linked to projects that are either registered or certified by third-party organizations focusing on environmental impact, energy efficiency, or carbon footprint. This methodology underscores the importance of accountability in sustainable construction practices, holding companies to a high standard when it comes to their environmental contributions.

George Pfeffer, CEO of DPR Construction, emphasized the company’s ongoing challenge to enhance responsible building practices: "Every year, we challenge ourselves to find new and better ways to build more responsibly. The decisions made on a project can have an impact long after construction is complete. That responsibility drives our teams to keep improving and innovating alongside our customers and partners to deliver industry-leading results.”

Commitment to Sustainable Practices

DPR’s rise in the rankings is not merely a numerative change; it embodies the firm’s ongoing integration of sustainability throughout project planning and delivery. Beyond traditional construction methodologies, DPR emphasizes environmental considerations during preconstruction and procurement processes, expanding their lifecycle analysis capabilities, and developing comprehensive guidelines for lower-carbon materials.

Ryan Poole, who is leading sustainability initiatives at DPR Construction, stated, “We are focused on demonstrating how our sustainability efforts translate into measurable results.” This commitment involves evaluating embodied carbon to facilitate more informed material choices, conserving water resources, and promoting zero-waste practices while utilizing lower-emission equipment.

In 2025, DPR's water-saving strategies yielded significant results, saving over 48 million gallons of freshwater, as reported in their 2025 Global Social Responsibility Annual Report. Additionally, the report highlighted an increased application of lower-carbon concrete and the use of cleaner equipment and fuels.

Enhanced Transparency in Environmental Efforts

DPR is intent on enhancing the transparency of its environmental performance through its Path to Regeneration initiative, which serves as a roadmap for diminishing carbon emissions across its value chain while ensuring accountability as it progresses. By improving environmental data management and reporting systems, DPR is better poised to understand its impacts and track advancements.

The significance of DPR's recognition should not be understated. ENR noted an overall increase of 5.9% in green contracting revenue among the Top 100 Green Contractors, amounting to $101.9 billion in 2025. However, it also highlighted the complexities presented by a changing operating environment, where stakeholders are increasingly weighing sustainability ambitions against rising construction costs and labor constraints, not forgetting the shifting landscape of federal policies.

About DPR Construction

Founded in 1990, DPR Construction is one of the largest employee-owned companies in the United States, firmly focusing on crafting long-term partnerships while ensuring predictable results for its clients. Their projects cover diverse sectors including advanced technology, healthcare, and commercial markets.

Built upon the mantra “We Exist to Build Great Things®,” DPR has demonstrated its innovative prowess by employing prefabrication in more than 90% of new work while managing a highly skilled labor force on nearly all projects.

With over 13,500 professionals across its network, DPR is consistently ranked among top building contractors, establishing itself as a front-runner in progressing the construction industry towards sustainable and resilient practices. For further information about their projects and sustainability initiatives, visit DPR Construction's official website.