FIDIC Future Leaders... leading the way 2023

The FIDIC Future Leaders Advisory Council (FLAC) was established to bring together a group of professionals under the age of 40 and is appointed by the FIDIC board to advise FIDIC on a number of activities and operations and provide opportunities for future leaders to participate actively in FIDIC with their peers and to develop the next generation of leaders in the consulting engineering and wider infrastructure sector.

The primary functions of the council are to:

• Engage with future leaders in the consultancy and engineering sector to promote FIDICs activities.

• Work with FIDIC to create targeted activities for its Future Leaders programme.

The FLAC provides opportunities for future leaders to participate actively in FIDIC with their peers and to develop as the next generation of leaders in the consulting engineering and wider infrastructure sector

This publication forms part of this remit. It is important that future leader’s voices are heard if the industry is to move towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs), net zero and beyond.

The contributions in this report explore the issues currently faced by future leaders but also considers the issues that the next generation of future leaders may face.

Foreword from Future Leaders Advisory Council Chair

I am pleased that the Future Leaders Advisory Council (FLAC) are represented strongly at the conference through the Future Leaders Symposium and this publication.

As we fast approach 2030 and the need to hit the SDGs, net zero is also increasingly just over the horizon. The work we are doing today will form part of our net zero future and so it is important we are proactive in everything we design to meet such a goal. Technology also continues to evolve it was not long ago that remote working was thrown into the future and artificial intelligence seems to be another significant shift that we refuse to ignore at our own peril.

The conference theme, Infrastructure – there’s no time to lose: Sustainable global (and local) strategies to build a better world, will stress the urgency of the need to invest in infrastructure in a sustainable way at a local and national level that brings stakeholders together around a common aim of improving the global environment that we all depend on.

For the seventh year in a row, the FIDIC Future Leaders Council is glad to issue this annual publication to share thoughts, ideas, priorities, diversity, and efforts, through different articles from all over the world. This is a special issue, as we celebrate the 110th anniversary of FIDIC.

We are pleased that the Future Leaders Advisory Council is featured prominently at the conference through the Future Leaders Symposium, Technical Tour, and FLAC meetings. We hope that our presence is effective, tangible and will provide a real opportunity for future leaders to unify their voice and to play an active part in FIDIC and the industry.

Having the voices of upcoming and young engineers is important as they bring new and innovative points of view towards project delivery and the development of wider infrastructure, which in the next decade will be instrumental in determining the global trajectory towards net zero.

This booklet forms an important part of sharing the views and experiences of individuals to help build capacity across the sector. The FLAC was impressed with the quality and breadth of the submissions and is happy to report that this year’s booklet once again has continue to break all expectations and the submissions and views expressed are greater and more diverse than ever.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Future Leaders judging panel that reviewed the submissions and the FIDIC secretariat for their continued effort in putting together the publication. I would also like to thank Nelson Ogunshakin CEO and the FIDIC Board for their leadership and support of the future leader's programme.

Nelson Ogunshakin OBE commented "I am very proud of the work the future leaders programme has achieved. We should not lose sight of the fact that these individuals will be responsible for developing tomorrow's infrastructure and shaping tomorrow's society. To do this we need to ensure we develop our industry, people and skills to provide the best leadership possible."

We hope that you enjoy reading the articles that future leaders have prepared and find the content and context both interesting and valuable.

Lastly, on behalf of everyone at the Future Leaders Advisory Council, congratulations to FIDIC - and let´s keep working together for another 110 years of greater success!

Rodrigo Juarez Chair - FIDIC Future Leaders Council

Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE Chief Executive Officer, FIDIC

Presenting Authors

Acknowledging the seriousness of the sector to address the challenges of the SDGs and net zero and recent climate events that range from fires to floods, the FIDIC Future Leaders Council wanted to provide a platform for future leaders in the consulting engineering industry to share, reflect and come forward with new ideas or challenges.

We invited Future Leaders to reflect on the challenges and how we can not only approach the future but also consider that a different approach will also have additional or new benefits to economies, societies, and nature as a whole.

It is important that as a sector and as a society, individuals look forward to the opportunities in the V-U-C-A (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) world despite how it impacts consulting engineering, infrastructure development, attraction, retention, and development of Future Leaders.

For this, the FLC selected, as presenters, the authors whose articles better reflect the above principles.

Authors:

• Irene Trujols, United Kingdom

• Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei, Ghana

• Irene Yeboa, Ghana

• Ing. Edward M. Melomey, Ghana

• Wojciech Szewczak, United Kingdom

Presenting Authors

The role of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in the transition to net zero

Irene Trujols is an engineering geologist with 7+ years’ postgraduate experience. She currently works at Arcadis as a geotechnical engineer, where she has been involved in a wide range of projects within the rail and water sectors. Prior to her role as a geotechnical engineer, she worked as a consultant for site investigation and remediation, also in Arcadis.

At Arcadis, she is a member of the Geotechnical Sustainability Group, where she is currently involved with research within the field of sustainability in ground Investigations and the use of geophysical techniques as an alternative to intrusive methods.

Outside Arcadis, she is a member of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) Emerging Professionals group, where she is involved with the Sustainability and Climate Change advocacy groups.

Geology of Rare Earth Elements and Occurrence

Rare Earth Elements (REE) are a group of 17 chemical elements; including the Lanthanoid series, and transition metals, Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y)1. These elements are relatively abundant2 in nature, and the term rare earth refers to their comparatively low concentrations in locations that they can be extracted for economical gain3. The Lanthanoid series are sub-divided into light and heavy elements. Light elements (Lanthanum to Samarium) are more common than heavy elements (Europium to Lutetium), and therefore less expensive4

In nature, RRE do not geologically occur as individual elements3. Rather, they are commonly found in differing concentrations in ore-accessory minerals, such as, marine phosphate deposits, igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks3. The principal economic sources of REE, however, are the Rare Earth Minerals2. These minerals, as shown in the table below, contain REE in the form of Rare Earth Oxide (REO) compounds, which are formed by one or more rare earth element and an oxygen element5.

Xenotime Yttrium (Y), Dysprosium (Dy), Erbium (Er), Terbium (Tb) and Ytterbium (Yb).

Yttrium (Y), Cerium (Ce), Lanthanum (La) and Neodymium (Nd).

Loparite Cerium (Ce) and Lanthanum (La).

TABLE

*Thorium (Th) is not a rare-earth element. However, its presence within the mineral has been acknowledged.

to 53%

to 40%

1. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2022. Periodic Table of Elements

2. United States Geological Survey, Rare Earths Statistics, and Information. Accessed June 1, 2023, at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/rare-earths-statistics-and-information

3. Leal Filho, W.; Kotter, R.; Özuyar, P.G.; Abubakar, I.R.; Eustachio, J.H.P.P.; Matandirotya, N.R.,2023. Understanding Rare Earth Elements as Critical Raw Materials. Sustainability, 15, 1919.

4. Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology, Rare Earth Metals. Accessed June 1, 2023, at https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/post/postpn368rare_earth_metals.pdf

5. International Organization for Standardization, Rare earth — Vocabulary — Part 1: Minerals, oxides, and other compounds. ISO 22444-1:2020(en).

1. PRINCIPAL RARE EARTH MINERALS

Irene Trujols, United Kingdom

Presenting Authors

The role of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in the transition to net zero

Current and Potential Applications

REEs are widely used within the technology, energy, and healthcare industries. A few of their applications include fibre optic technology, solar panels, magnets, batteries and diagnostic imaging4. Furthermore, REEs have been included in the European Commission’s critical raw materials (CRMs) list since 20116, indicating they play a significant role in meeting the critical mineral needs for clean energy technologies7

Harnessing the emerging concept of green technology is vital not only for the generation of carbon-neutral commodities but, more importantly, enabling the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. For instance, The International Energy Agency (IEA)7 has acknowledged REEs are of moderate importance for hydrogen energy and of high importance for wind energy, EVs and battery storage. Moreover, to achieve the net zero target in the specified time frame, the Biden-Harris Administration8 stated that the global demand for rare earth elements is expected to grow between 400% and 600% over the next few decades: in particular, Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy) and Terbium (Tb) due to their use in most wind turbines9

Risks and Opportunities

While RREs are considered pivotal elements in the process of phasing out fossil fuels; their extraction and processing is an energy-intensive and heavily polluting process10, thus, deeming the transition to clean energy technologies unsustainable.

In addition, despite the global demand for RREs, their production has largely been dominated by China (70%), followed by the U.S and Australia11. Therefore, developed countries are currently investing on researching innovative and sustainable solutions to shift the supply chain from China, as it poses not only a geopolitical and economic risk but also future supply constraints10.

In Europe, there are no currently active mines where REEs can be extracted from. There is, however, the potential for increasing Europe’s processing capacity, as a result of the collaboration between Sweden and Norway, where they have developed an innovative and sustainable technology for separation of rare earth elements12

The U.S - having banned the import of critical minerals, in particular those required for the production of batteries, from China13 is looking at the extraction and recovery of rare earths from mining waste. In addition, they are also focusing on other unconventional sources of rare earths, such as water treatments and brines from oil and gas production.

Conclusions

Known sustainable methods of obtaining RREs are unlikely to cover the demand required, globally, for the transition to net zero. This results in a need for continued research, and innovation, of the rare earths’ full lifecycle to identify opportunities, and, to reduce dependency on the current extraction, processing, and importing practices. It is clear that they are a valuable resource that needs to be explored, and not exploited.

6. European Commission, Critical Raw Materials. Accessed June 9, 2023, at https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials_en

7. International Energy Agency (IEA), The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions - World Energy Outlook Special Report. Accessed June 9, 2023, at https://www.iea.org/topics/critical-minerals

8. Biden-Harris Administration, Fact Sheet: Securing a Made in America Supply Chain for Critical Minerals. Accessed June 11, 2023, at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/22/fact-sheet-securing-a-made-in-america-supply-chain-for-critical-minerals/

9. Columbia Climate School, The Energy Transition Will Need More Rare Earth Elements. Can We Secure Them Sustainably? Accessed June 11, 2023, at https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/04/05/the-energy-transition-will-need-more-rare-earth-elements-can-we-secure-them-sustainably/

10. Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, Rare Earth Elements: A Resource Constraint of the Energy Transition. Accessed June 11, 2023, at https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/rare-earth-elements-a-resource-constraint-of-the-energy-transition/

11. Shuang-Liang Liu, Hong-Rui Fan, Xuan Liu, Jianyin Meng, Alan R. Butcher, Lahaye Yann, Kui-Feng Yang, Xiao-Chun Li., 2023. Global rare earth elements projects: New developments and supply chains, Ore Geology Reviews, Volume 157.

12. LKAB, Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth metals is located in the Kiruna area. Accessed June 12, 2023, at https://lkab.com/en/press/europes-largest-deposit-of-rare-earth-metals-is-located-in-the-kiruna-area/

13. fDi Intelligence - A service from The Financial Times, Rare earths are not that rare. Accessed June 12, 2023, at https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/interview/rare-earths-are-not-that-rare-81560

Presenting Authors

A Framework for Assessing and Improving Water and Sanitation Services in Climate-Vulnerable Low-income Communities

Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei is an environment and sanitary engineering specialist at Constromart in Accra, Ghana. She holds an MSc in water sanitation and health engineering from the University of Leeds and a BSc in environmental science from KNUST. Jacqueline is also an alumnus of the FIDIC Future Leader & Management Course, 2022, Jacqueline is a member of the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), working on key Multilateral Development Banks funded projects as an Environment Safeguard Officer. She is passionate about WASH and sustainability and aims to create sustainable, affordable, and climate-resilient solutions for improving the well-being of low-income communities.

Irene Yeboah is an environmental and social safeguards and climate specialist at Constromart Africa in Accra, Ghana. She holds an MSc in urban management and development (urban environment sustainability and climate change option) from Erasmus university and an integrated development studies from University for Development Studies. Irene is adept in climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental and social impact assessment, and preparation of Environmental and Social Management plans and implementation. She is a member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and International Water Association (IWA) working on Multilateral Development Bank-funded projects as Environment and Social Safeguards Officer and Ass. Urban Planner on other projects. Her research focuses on the sustainable use of paper in achieving a sustainable society. She is passionate about sustainability and protecting the interest of people especially the vulnerable in making society a better place.

Ing. Edward M. Melomey is an experienced civil engineer and project manager, steeped in construction and engineering leadership spanning 15 years in Africa. He successfully led the implementation of infrastructure development in Ghana as well as a bid of a local and international consortium to win the contract to provide consulting Services for the first OPRC (World Bank funded Performance-based Contract) in Ghana. Edward has graduate education in engineering project management, public administration, and legal studies. He is a professional engineer and member of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) and the American Society of Engineers (ASCE). He is the managing director at Constromart and has overseen the growth and expansion in Ghana and the establishment of offices in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Irene Yeboah, Ghana

Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei, Ghana

Ing. Edward M. Melomey, Ghana

Presenting Authors

A Framework for Assessing and Improving Water and Sanitation Services in Climate-Vulnerable Low-income Communities

Introduction

In recent years, climate change has become a pressing global concern, impacting various sectors including water and sanitation services. Water scarcity and inadequate sanitation are pressing issues that disproportionately affect low-income communities in Low-income countries such as Ghana14. Climate change further compounds these challenges by altering rainfall patterns, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and exacerbating water-related diseases. Monitoring coverage of drinking water and sanitation services is undertaken at the global level by the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply and Sanitation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

The JMP has developed a benchmark and identified a set of technologies that studies show provide adequate water quality in water supplies and better separation of excreta from human in sanitation and thus provide relatively safe water and sanitation15. In Ghana, there are efforts by policy markers through multilateral Development Banks funding systems to implement climate resilience interventions in the WaSH sector including the recently launched Ghana WASH Sector Development Programme (GWASHSDP). This article proposes a framework to assess and improve as well as further enhance the resilience of water and sanitation services in low-income communities in Ghana.

Framework Development

To develop the framework, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on the current situation of water and sanitation services in Ghana. Through these efforts, eight (8) key aspects of interest were identified as crucial for assessing and improving the resilience of water and sanitation services in climate-vulnerable areas as shown in Figure 1.

Climate Vulnerability Assessment

The first step in the framework is conducting a climate vulnerability assessment to understand the unique challenges faced by low-income communities in Ghana. This assessment involves analysing historical climate data, projecting future climate scenarios, identifying vulnerabilities such as water stress, flooding, and waterborne diseases. It also considers socioeconomic factors, demographic characteristics, and existing water and sanitation infrastructure. Figures 2 and 3 show a climate impact assessment of water and sanitation technologies in high and low-intensity rainfall respectively performed by Howard and Bartram (2009)16

14. World Health Organization, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Key Facts. 2019. (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/water-sanitation-hygiene-and-health)

15. JMP, Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, 2021. (https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/JMP-2021-progress-report.pdf)

FIGURE 1: WATER AND SANITATION CLIMATE RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

16. Howard G,Bartram J, Vision 2030: the resilience of water supply and sanitation in the face of climate change

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

Presenting Authors

A Framework for Assessing and Improving Water and Sanitation Services in Climate-Vulnerable Low-income Communities

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

Community engagement is a crucial aspect of water and sanitation interventions, as it ensures the active participation and ownership of community members in the decision-making and implementation processes. By actively engaging community members, their valuable insights, needs, and preferences can be incorporated into the planning and design of interventions, leading to more sustainable and community-centred solutions. This engagement can take the form of community meetings, consultations, collaborative discussions to gather feedback, prioritize needs, and foster a sense of ownership.

Technological Solutions

Technological solutions are crucial for improving water and sanitation services in climate-vulnerable low-income communities17. These communities face unique challenges, and adopting appropriate and context-specific technologies can help address their specific needs. Some key technological solutions include decentralized water treatment systems, rainwater harvesting, improved sanitation facilities, and smart monitoring systems18 to ensure efficient and sustainable use of water resources in climate-vulnerable low-income communities.

Policy and Governance Interventions

Enabling policies and effective governance mechanisms are essential for sustainable water and sanitation services. The framework advocates for the development of supportive policies that promote climate resilience, affordability, and equity. It also emphasizes the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships, coordination among government agencies, and the integration of water and sanitation goals into broader development agendas.

Financial Sustainability

The financial sustainability domain focuses on assessing and ensuring the long-term viability of water and sanitation services in the context of climate change uncertainties. It involves evaluating the funding mechanisms and developing strategies for cost recovery that can support the ongoing operation, maintenance, and improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure over time. The establishment of sustainable financing models that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the continued availability and quality of water and sanitation services.

Knowledge and Technology Transfer

The knowledge and technology transfer aspect emphasizes the exchange and widespread dissemination of knowledge, best practices, and appropriate technologies specifically tailored for water and sanitation services in climate-vulnerable rural communities. The goal is to facilitate the sharing of expertise, successful approaches, and technological innovations that can address the unique challenges faced by these communities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Regular monitoring and evaluation are crucial for assessing the effectiveness of interventions and identifying areas for improvement. The framework recommends the establishment of monitoring systems to track progress towards water and sanitation targets, measure the impact of climate change adaptation measures, and ensure accountability.

Conclusion

The framework presented in this article provides a comprehensive approach for assessing and improving water and sanitation services in climate-vulnerable low-income communities in Ghana and other parts of the World. Adapting and implementing the framework will contribute to enhanced living conditions, improved health outcomes, and increased resilience in the face of climate change.

Presenting Authors

Regenerative Approach to Infrastructure: Going Beyond Sustainability

Wojciech Szewczak Wojciech is a dynamic, proactive, and forward-thinking associate at Ramboll management consulting with eight years of experience working with clients in the transport and Infrastructure sector and delivering strategic sustainability advisory services.

Wojciech is Chair of the Association for Consultancy Engineering (ACE) emerging professionals, the group of more than 100 next-generation industry leaders working in the natural and built environment in the UK.

Wojciech is passionate about influencing UK's construction industry and developing the next generation of industry leaders. He sits on the ACE Advisory Group and Building Magazine's building the Future Commission people advisory panel. Additionally, he hosts the fresh perspectives video podcast, judges industry awards, and speaks at prestigious in-person and virtual panel discussions.

Motivation to go beyond Sustainability

The United Nations defines sustainability as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (United Nations, 1987)19. This means sustainability maintains what we already have and does not necessarily repair the systems we degraded, damaged, or lost.

The built environment plays an essential role in shaping society and the world around us. For years, the design and engineering field has been transforming the conventional practices of achieving the minimum standards into implementing practices that ensured a reduced impact on the natural environment via performance improvement or sustainable rating. As climate change nears a tipping point with irreversible impacts, we’re adopting sustainable solutions to move towards achieving net zero carbon neutrality and causing no harm to the natural environment. Is this enough? Shouldn’t we adopt solutions that have a positive impact and regenerate the natural environment?

A fundamental shift is required if we want to keep living on this planet for generations to come. We need to focus on not only doing less harm but positively impacting the natural environment and going beyond sustainable development. This will require solutions or systems that heal, are resilient, and revitalise communities’ natural resources and even entire ecosystems. We can do this by adopting restorative solutions to reverse pre-development environmental conditions or by going the extra mile and adopting regenerative principles where human and natural systems are actively co-evolving.

19. United Nations, 1987. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our common future. pp.1-300. 20. Craft, W., Ding, L., Prasad, D., Partridge, L. and Else, D., 2017. Development of a regenerative design model for building retrofits. Procedia engineering, 180, pp.658-668.

FIGURE 1. RANGE OF SUSTAINABILITY APPROACHES (REED, 2007 IN CRAFT ET AL., 2017)20

Wojciech Szewczak, United Kingdom

Presenting Authors

Regenerative Approach to Infrastructure: Going Beyond Sustainability

How to understand the regenerative approach

We should be motivated to find a new way of approaching the design process of our infrastructure. One that restores the planet and moves to a new paradigm where we enable people and nature to co-exist. As we depend on natural resources, we must consider the natural capital and ensure that we protect, restore or regenerate ecosystems.

This regenerative approach is about creating a mutual relationship between nature and communities and improving places after finishing working on them. Adopting regenerative approach principles ensures that the built environment has a positive impact on natural systems. The approach uses renewal-focused indicators for carbon, water, air, biodiversity, social and health categories.

Regenerative infrastructure and key principles for decision-making frameworks

Transport infrastructure, such as roads, railways, ports etc. has an environmental and social impact on the planet associated with greenhouse gas emissions, the transformation of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity.

Rethinking how we approach our infrastructure's design process has the potential to positively impact the climate and biodiversity and provide a long-term capability and well-being of communities.

Regenerative infrastructure can restore the damage caused and achieving the recovery of the environment and the natural systems. For infrastructure to be considered regenerative, it must be built net-positive using existing resources and creating practices, cultures, and systems to have positive environmental and social impacts.

In ‘‘Developing a decision-making framework for regenerative precinct development’’, Craft et al., (2021)21 explore the core needs of regenerative infrastructure. They developed a set of interconnected principles to provide a context for developing the decision-making frameworks:

• Living systems thinking – Developing holistic thinking and understanding of a project through the interactions and relationships between projects that form one complex and dynamic social-ecological system.

• Place-specific regeneration – Understanding the project’s unique place, including how a place sustains and self-organises within its existing network.

• New collective processes – Engaging with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders and working together to realise the full potential of a project.

• Co-evolutionary and transformative - Understanding that the end of a project marks the beginning of regeneration and the start of an ongoing co-evolutionary partnership with nature.

• Adding positive value – Understanding and redefining value in terms of benefits to all stakeholders and enabling the new potential for the entire social-ecological system.

Familiarising ourselves with this concept and shifting the current paradigms towards a net positive and regenerative approach will promote the development of infrastructure projects that generate resilience, benefit communities, protect biodiversity and reverse the damage we have caused.

Future-focused Leaders are essential in tackling climate change, demonstrating ambition and promoting the regenerative approach. Showcasing a passion for creating a better and greener legacy for future generations whilst being curious and asking the right questions can and will challenge current practices and the set level of ambition. As an industry, we must be more ambitious in setting and more proactive in accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies, practices, and procedures. Therefore, Future Leaders should be part of the conversation at every level: (day-to-day business and strategic), to hold business leaders accountable and, bring a different perspective to the discussion and ensure our voice is heard.

21. Craft, W., Ding, L. and Prasad, D., 2021. Developing a decision-making framework for regenerative precinct development. Sustainability, 13(22), p.12604.

Recognised Authors

In this section, we would like to highlight the contribution of notable authors with exciting articles.

They have provided us with opinions, experiences, and innovative ideas on how to evolve and adapt to changing technologies, the challenge of net zero and develop the skills and talent the industry needs to lead such transformative infrastructure development.

Authors:

• Antoinette Gabby Hayes, Ghana

• Ing. Edward M. Melomey, Ghana

• Artur Henrique de Morais Brito, Brazil

• Ellie Thomas, United Kingdom

• Gloria Kemigisha Mwebaze, Uganda

• Irene Yeboa, Ghana

• Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei, Ghana

• Long Tran Manh, Viet Nam

• Lungu Dan-Serafim, Romania

• Mohammad Ilham Akbar, Indonesia

• Niamh McCloskey, United Kingdom

• Emma Scholes, United Kingdom

• Richard Opsahl Resvoll, Norway

• Shinichiro Iwamoto, Japan

• Timothy Adekeye, Nigeria

• Wojciech Szewczak, United Kingdom

• Sam Reeson, United Kingdom

Recognised Authors

The importance of ESHS in sustainable infrastructure development

Antoinette Salmata Gabby Hayes is a social and gender safeguard analyst at Constromart Africa and has extensive experience in multilateral funded projects as the social and gender analyst. She has a master’s degree in gender peace and security and a bachelor's in political science and sociology. As someone deeply committed to creating sustainable, strategic, climate-resilient solutions that promote social inclusion and gender empowerment in developing communities Antoinette is a member of the International Association for Impact Assessment and the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID).

Ing. Edward M. Melomey is an experienced civil engineer and project manager, steeped in construction and engineering leadership spanning 15 years in Africa. He successfully led the implementation of infrastructure development in Ghana as well as a bid of a local and international consortium to win the contract to provide consulting Services for the first OPRC (World Bank funded Performance-based Contract) in Ghana. Edward has graduate education in engineering project management, public administration, and legal studies. He is a professional engineer and member of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) and the American Society of Engineers (ASCE). He is the managing director at Constromart and has overseen the growth and expansion in Ghana and the establishment of offices in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Infrastructure development, particularly road infrastructure, has a significant impact on the quality of life and the economic growth of local communities. Such projects, however, inevitably have an impact on society and the environment, making it necessary to prioritize sustainable infrastructure to mitigate any negative impacts during project implementation. Sustainable infrastructure is characterized by clear social, economic, and environmental objectives, as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the triple bottom-line criteria. Institutional mechanisms used to monitor project criteria throughout the project life cycle are therefore critical to ensuring financial sustainability and affordability for consumers.

Sustainable infrastructure development was created based on past research and studies that showed the adverse impacts of traditional projects on the environment and society. Thus, countries and multilateral organizations need to adopt policies and procedures to mitigate and improve the negative impacts of projects. One such policy is the Environmental Social Management System (ESMS), which is a set of policies, procedures, tools, and internal capacity to identify and manage an organization's environmental and social risks and impacts.

This paper examines the role of the Environmental, Social, Health, and Safety (ESHS) mechanism in delivering sustainable road infrastructure. The paper first analyses the current understanding of sustainable infrastructure, outlining the triple bottom line criteria, and how it aligns with existing global sustainability goals. The following sections then examine the role of ESHS in delivering sustainable road infrastructure and highlight the challenges that arise during its implementation. The paper considers current examples and research on successful implementations of the ESHS mechanism.

Antoinette Gabby Hayes, Ghana

Ing. Edward M. Melomey, Ghana

The importance of ESHS in sustainable infrastructure development Recognised Authors

ESHS is an institutional mechanism established to manage or mitigate the adverse impacts of projects on the environment and society during road infrastructure implementation. The mechanism includes a range of policies, procedures, and tools to identify potential environmental and social risks, provide mitigation measures, and monitor and evaluate their effectiveness throughout the project life cycle. ESHS is critical to the successful delivery of sustainable road infrastructure, as it enables project planners to identify and evaluate the environmental and social impacts of the project and ensure compliance with environmental and social standards. ESHS help to ensure that projects do not become a burden to future generations, while ensuring that current infrastructure needs are met.

Implementing ESHS is not without its challenges. This paper will highlight some of these potential challenges in implementing ESHS mechanisms to ensure sustainable road infrastructure delivery. These include a lack of institutional capacity, financial constraints, and limited stakeholder engagement. It is also important to identify how these challenges were addressed during previous project implementations to ensure successful implementation of the ESHS mechanism.

One major challenge in implementing ESHS is a lack of institutional capacity at the local and national levels. Addressing this challenge involves investing in training for staff involved in the project and building partnerships between project stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation. This challenge can be overcome by involving key stakeholders in the project, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities, in the decision-making process. This helps build capacity and promotes ownership of the project among key stakeholders.

Another challenge is financial constraints, which can limit the scope of environmental and social mitigation measures, compromise the quality of infrastructure, and result in long-term effects on society and the environment. To address financial constraints, the paper recommends exploring innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships between public and private sectors. Governments may also enhance Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and attract private investment into sustainable infrastructure development. These partnerships can provide financial resources as well as build institutional capacity for project implementation.

Lastly, limited stakeholder engagement can be a challenge in implementing ESHS and ensuring that stakeholders are aware of the project and their input is solicited can improve project outcomes and build trust. To overcome this challenge, project planners must involve stakeholders in the project from the planning stage to the implementation and monitoring phase. Projects must hold public consultations, establish grievance mechanisms, and provide transparent information on project implementation, to ensure local communities are actively engaged and included in the project.

In conclusion, ESHS mechanisms are critical in ensuring sustainable infrastructure development, particularly in road infrastructure projects. ESHS provides a framework for achieving social, environmental, and economic sustainability during project implementation and beyond. Despite the challenges involved in implementing ESHS mechanisms, addressing these challenges can lead to successful implementation of sustainable infrastructure projects. Governments, multilateral organizations, and private sector entities must work together to ensure adequate capacity, financing, and stakeholder engagement to build sustainable infrastructure that meets the needs of society while safeguarding the environment.

Recognised Authors

The Future of Consulting Engineering. Can we lead the way?

Artur Henrique de Morais Brito is a civil engineer from the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), where he received awards for his academic performance, and infrastructure engineer from the École Spèciale des Travaux Publiques (ESTP) in Paris, Artur is a development manager at TPF Engenharia in Brazil, with the goal of “building the world, better”. Currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of São Paulo (USP) in production engineering focused on ESG, he has experiences in construction, projects and management contracts. Regarding his membership activities, he is currently vice-chair of the Future Leaders Advisory Council (FLAC) and member of the Digital Transformation Committee (DTC) at FIDIC.

To look into the future, we first need to consider the past. According to the Engineers Council for Professional Development, in the US, the definition of engineering is “the creative application of scientific concepts to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus or manufacturing processes”. The word engineering derives from the Latin ingeniare, which means “to create” (Encyclopaedia Britannica). It is interesting because it gives a real sense of what engineering means in all fields, to build new things that have significance.

Engineering is not a recent job. It dates to ancient Egypt and their pharaonic endeavours, such as the well-known pyramids, temples, and irrigation systems. At that time, and for many years ahead, there were two main groups, the military engineers, and the civil engineers. The first ones were responsible for the creation of the engines of war, while the latter used the same skills to design buildings, streets, water supplies and other types of infrastructure. Ancient era was followed by the classical era, where the Greeks and Romans were responsible for enormous contributions to the engineering, especially in the fields of urban development and roads infrastructure. One of the classical texts about engineering was published by Vitruvius De Architectura, in a work with 10 volumes covering building materials, methods of construction, hydraulics, town planning, among other areas.

Then, the medieval era came, where the engineering returned to a military mindset, with a huge focus on the development of siege weapons and defensive constructions such as castles. Despite that, beautiful works were conceived, such as churches, with their flying buttresses and gothic arches. The renaissance, however, brought new airs, with prominent engineers, such as Leonardo da Vinci, and inventive works. The industrial revolution came during this time, inspiring the future steampunks, creating new machines and consolidating the mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering in the first half of the 19th Century.

Despite the great achievements of ancient times, they all had one common problem: they were too focused on purely technical aspects of engineering. There was little or no concern about the environment, about equality or about sustainable development. It was only in the late 20th century that companies became more aware of those issues, with the publication of the Brundtland Report (1987) specifying the Triple Bottom Line, meaning the three fundamental pillars of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic. This movement proposed a huge change, once we needed to step away from what I’m going to call the ‘Engineering Triangle’ (functional, safe and economic) to include one other vertex, sustainable. This has continued to evolve and currently the terminology is that of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), with the aim to look not just to the external environment of the companies (E and S), but also to its internal practices and structures (G).

But the 20th and 21st centuries did not just bring the environmental engineering with them but also the computer engineering and all their technological admirers, astonished with the pace of Moore’s Law. New technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D Printing, Internet of Things (IoT), genetic engineering, all start to rule the new world and we must be aware of them to differentiate and thrive in our market. Moreover, we also need to be aware of the boundaries of the new technologies, such as GhatGPT and its controversies around the ethics and limits of artificial intelligence.

Artur Henrique de Morais Brito, Brazil

Recognised Authors

The Future of Consulting Engineering.

Can we lead the way?

Engineering has definitely changed across the centuries and surely has a lot to change in the next 110 years. The difficulty we are all going to face is keeping its speed of changing as well as not repeating the mistakes of the elder ages. This mission concerns us all that are engaged in the consulting engineering sector, but especially the Future Leaders. This new generation of leaders must understand the problems of the present and try to break the chain that generates them, through correct actions and broad impact. So, the big question we need to ask is:

“How the Future Leaders can lead the way?”

There is no right answer to this question, but I think we can follow some paths. Bring a human aspect to the Engineering. As seen, our sector has been too technical for so long and it has brought many difficulties and problems to the future generations. To face that, we need to see the human side of our projects, to develop new solutions that meet the needs and priorities of the people. In addition, we face the problems of gender inequality and the need to change, especially in our sector where there is a historical predominance of man and barriers to women. By understanding the nuances of the environmental and social impacts that we and our companies generate, we can build a more sustainable, equitable and people centred future.

Keep up the innovations. This is one of the biggest jobs we are going to face in the coming decades. Technology is growing at such a fast pace that sometimes it seems impossible to stay ahead or even keep up with change . Succeeding at this challenge, however, is fundamental to the survival of the companies in our sector which are increasingly facing fierce competition. Embracing this change can improve the efficiency and the quality of the work we do, as well as the products we use and allowing us to provide better deliverables to our clients and to wider society. So, engaging in conferences and workshops, reading specialized publications and continuous training are good measures to keep the balance.

Thinking outside the box. One of the main goals of the engineering is to create new things. So, thinking outside the box and bringing new solutions to the table boost the transformations we want to implement. Actions such as questioning the status quo, experimenting with new ideas and technologies, encourage divergent thoughts and embrace the error and experimentation are fundamental to create the necessary environment for new ideas to thrive.

Do what is right. There is no need to explain why this is one of the most important things to do. By doing what is right we create a path of ‘goodness’ where we go, and this motivates people to join you in programmes, project etc and support change.

Make your own path. Sometimes, sticking to the known is easier, but we must try to pursue what we believe in. Making our own path is fundamental to build our believes, experiment, identify what is right and wrong, and face our fears. In doing so, we will know ourselves better and have greater confidence in our actions. This changes the way we see ourselves and the problems we face. It also means change in how people perceive themselves and others, normally leading to greater accomplishments.

In face of the exposed, there is a lot to do in the next 110 years, but we need to be aware of the problems and try to implement what is right and good not just for ourselves or our companies, but to the entire world.

Recognised Authors

Sustainable Development Principles and Practices for Engineers

Ellie Thomas is a graduate engineer at Atkins in the highways team, working on a range of local transport and strategic highway projects in Wales. She recently graduated from the University of Bristol with a MEng in civil engineering.

Ellie is the chair of the ICE early careers committee in Wales. In this role, she works with the rest of the team to promote and run events for early careers professionals, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to lean and succeed in the engineering profession.

Ellie Thomas, United Kingdom

Alongside her role at Atkins, she also manages social value in Wales. This involves planning and coordinating volunteering opportunities for staff to provide community benefits in the regions we work in. This role has a significant impact on society and the future generation of engineers.

Initially in 2005, the Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering presented a joint statement on ethical principles to be used as a guide for engineers to follow. This statement was founded on fundamental principles:

1. Honesty and integrity

2. Respect for life, law, and the environment and public good

3. Accuracy and rigour

4. Leadership and communication

This was updated in 2017 and should be adopted by all engineers to aid sustainable development in the future.

It could be argued that some of these principles are not followed in engineering projects. Examples include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and the PlayPump scheme in South Africa. The LHWP aimed to supply water to South Africa and electricity to Lesotho; and required the construction of various kinds of infrastructure including dams, roads, tunnels, and power lines. The PlayPump scheme was founded by a water engineer, Ronnie Stuiver had the idea for a children’s roundabout that drove a borehole water pump. Former advertising executive Trevor Field saw this idea and implemented this in water-scarce communities to collect water; the idea being that it was more efficient than previous methods and that the infrastructure could be used by children for pleasure. In both schemes there was evidence that ethical principles were not followed and if they had, there may have been more positive outcomes.

Honesty and integrity

The first principle, honesty and integrity, states that engineers should be open, honest, fair, and take steps to prevent corrupt practices and report bribery. Bribery and corruption are reported to be known to be prevalent in the construction industry22 and this hinders sustainable development (SDGs 8, 9, 10, 12). In the LHWP, contracting companies were believed to have bribed Masupha Sole, the chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Water Authority. Manuhwa and Stansbury23 express that corruption is one of the greatest obstacles to the sustainable development of safe and adequate infrastructure. To ensure sustainable development and project success for all stakeholders, efforts should be taken to prevent corruption across the project lifecycle to ensure funding value is maximised for communities. Engineers should ensure awarding processes within construction are transparent and fair.

22. Lurie, J., Burkill, N. and Knoll, J., 2013. Bribery and corruption in the construction industry: Challenges for international construction and engineering projects. Construction Law Journal, 29(1), p.17

23. Manuhwa, M. and Stansbury, N., 2016. Anti-Bribery Standards, Systems and Strategies for Optimising Engineering Projects Delivery. Recuperado de http://www. academia. edu/19513530/Anti-Corruption_Strategies_and_Anti Bribery_Standards_in_Engineering

Recognised Authors

Sustainable Development Principles and Practices for Engineers

Respect for life, law, and the environment

The second principle, respect for life, law, and the environment and public good highlights the importance of health and safety throughout a project’s lifecycle and improving quality of the built and natural environment, aiding several SDGs. The LHWP for example had negative environmental impacts, however, these were not monitored for accountability. As the climate crisis is worsening, it is now more important than ever for engineers to act responsibly with resources and minimising impact on ecosystems and communities.

Accuracy and rigour

The third principle for engineers is accuracy and rigour. This means that engineers should always act with care and assist others in the development of engineering knowledge. Engineers should present and review theory and evidence accurately and without bias. This is essential for sustainable development to ensure projects are sufficiently designed to meet aims, utilising resources, and improving resilience.

Leadership and communication

The final principle is leadership and communication. This principle states that engineers should listen to the aspirations and concerns of others and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. Critics of both the LHWP and the PlayPump identify that a factor preventing achievement of some SDGs was lack of community involvement which meant the projects failed to fulfil their purpose. The PlayPump provided a solution that was considered not fit for purpose and ended up making the process of obtaining clean, safe water harder for the community. Within the LHWP, the community were not consulted before or during the project, which meant that the unforeseen negative impacts of the relocation arose that could have been predicted if community consultation had occurred.

In both cases, community-based approaches would have benefitted these projects, aiding the SDGs. As defined by ALNAP24, participation is where members of affected populations are engaged with for one of more aspects of the project cycle and highlights that dialogue between stakeholders is key. The optimal approach to community participation for sustainable development is through a supportive approach from external organisations whereby the community can build upon existing capacities.

This uses external agencies as support in terms of providing technical and financial support but where communities lead the projects. This would have been useful in the case of the PlayPumps – talking to communities about what they believed to be the current issues with the water supply and aiding them in creating a new system to aid development. The shift would have taken the project from the informed stage if Arnstein’s ‘ladder of participation’ representing non-participation to the ‘citizen power’ stage. In the case of Lesotho, community consultation could have helped foresee some of the negative impacts that came with the relocation. This idea can be illustrated by the Joharri Window25 whereby their hidden knowledge could have been discovered, helping the project to be more sustainable in every aspect.

To ensure success of community-based approaches, it must be considered whether communication methods are culturally appropriate, whether one way or two-way dialogue is more effective for different project stages. This additional data and insight from the community can then be combined with existing engineering knowledge to provide the best project outcomes, aiding sustainable development.

Conclusion

Combining these principles can aid the sustainable development of communities, improving quality of life and improving disaster resilience. When implementing projects in LDC communities, engineers must work with communities to find solutions and empower locals to lead the projects. It must be noted that solutions will vary significantly between countries due to cultural, ethnic, and social diversity26

24. ALNAP (Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action), 2004. ALNAP Review of Humanitarian 363 Action in 2003: Field Level Learning.

25. Gaw, B. (1976). The Johari window and a partnership: An approach to teaching interpersonal communication skills: Communication Education: Vol 25, No 3. 26. Fearon, J.D., 2003. Ethnic and cultural diversity by country. Journal of economic growth, 8(2), pp.195-222.

Recognised Authors

Social sustainability - Gender Wages Gap

Eng. Gloria Kemigisha Mwebaze has over 12 years’ experience in the consulting industry majoring in structures (Buildings), is very passionate about mentorship of the young professionals, thus the reason for joining the Uganda Association of Consulting Engineers (UACE).

She has volunteered to speak to university students, secondary school to increase on retention and encourage more ladies join engineering. She was the first female chairperson of the UACE FLSC and during her term the council was able to complete the first CSR project for a school of Primary students in the slums of Uganda. She currently serves a FFLAC member, DIEC member, FIDIC AFRICA FLAC member and serves on the UACE as the secretary General.

Uganda being a developing country, means there has been limited research done or on what must be done to address the gender wages gap. This gender wage gap illustrates the difference in approach and attitudes towards women and men. In 2022, women earned an average of 82% of what men earned, which is similar to where it stood in 2002 at 80%.1

Some of the reasons that lead to wage gap include but are not limited to; gender, experience, age, race and occupation. It’s also notable that women of colour see wider wages gap as they advance in their careers.2

27. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/01/gender-pay-gap-facts/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20women%20earned%20an,80%25%20as%20much%20as%20 men.

28. https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/gender-pay-gap/#module-18

Gloria Kemigisha Mwebaze, Uganda

Social sustainability - Gender Wages Gap

In Uganda, age is associated with higher wages for both females and males which in some respects may be accounted for given the likely rise in experience and seniority that comes with age. This effect, however, is much stronger for males than for females.3

Some studies show that institutional factors might lead to some of the gender wage gap, for example with gender specific legal requirements that adversely affect the cost of employing women.

Being a female structural engineer in Africa (Uganda) who practices and is passionate about engineering. I have experienced the fears that come from working in a male dominated profession. Employers feel the need to pay women less because of the different benefits they are given. For example, maternity leave that ranges from 3 months to 1 year depending on the country.

The private and government sector should try to standardise the pay rate and close the gap between the gender wages once and for all by focusing on what the women have to offer their experience and education than their gender.

This can be done by improving transparency, via pay scale ranges and improving visibility across different companies and sectors for the various positions that are employed and their subsequent pay/wage rates.

Recognised Authors

Sustainable Use of Paper: Using a Circular and the System Thinking and Design Approach in Achieving a Sustainable Society

Irene Yeboah is an environmental and social safeguards and climate specialist at Constromart Africa in Accra, Ghana. She holds an MSc in urban management and development (urban environment sustainability and climate change option) from Erasmus university and an integrated development studies from University for Development Studies. Irene is adept in climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental and social impact assessment, and preparation of Environmental and Social Management plans and implementation. She is a member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and International Water Association (IWA) working on Multilateral Development Bank-funded projects as Environment and Social Safeguards Officer and Ass. Urban Planner on other projects. Her research focuses on the sustainable use of paper in achieving a sustainable society. She is passionate about sustainability and protecting the interest of people especially the vulnerable in making society a better place.

Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei is an environment and sanitary engineering specialist at Constromart in Accra, Ghana. She holds an MSc in water sanitation and health engineering from the University of Leeds and a BSc in environmental science from KNUST. Jacqueline is also an alumnus of the FIDIC Future Leader & Management Course, 2022, Jacqueline is a member of the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), working on key Multilateral Development Banks funded projects as an Environment Safeguard Officer. She is passionate about WASH and sustainability and aims to create sustainable, affordable, and climate-resilient solutions for improving the well-being of low-income communities.

Ing. Edward M. Melomey is an experienced civil engineer and project manager, steeped in construction and engineering leadership spanning 15 years in Africa. He successfully led the implementation of infrastructure development in Ghana as well as a bid of a local and international consortium to win the contract to provide consulting Services for the first OPRC (World Bank funded Performance-based Contract) in Ghana. Edward has graduate education in engineering project management, public administration, and legal studies. He is a professional engineer and member of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) and the American Society of Engineers (ASCE). He is the managing director at Constromart and has overseen the growth and expansion in Ghana and the establishment of offices in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Irene Yeboah, Ghana

Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei, Ghana

Ing. Edward M. Melomey, Ghana

Recognised Authors

Sustainable Use of Paper: Using a Circular and the System Thinking and Design Approach in Achieving a Sustainable Society

Introduction

Urban waste management is a pressing issue that impacts communities worldwide. In Ghana, the situation is particularly dire, with only 14% of over 30,000 metric tonnes of solid waste produced daily being collected. Furthermore, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in Ghana come from deforestation, unlawful land use, inappropriate waste disposal, and industrial processes, with paper production and usage being a key contributor.

The need for a shift towards a circular waste management system is critical in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) eleven, twelve and thirteen. With this in mind, this paper presents an innovative methodology based on systems thinking that allows for institutional adaptation to changing contexts, providing a flexible and open approach to sustainable waste management.

Circular Economy: Strategies for Reducing Paper Waste in the Construction Industry

The linear economic system of producing, using, and disposing of products is becoming increasingly unsustainable, with losses occurring at every stage in the chain. In the construction industry, the use of hard-copied documents is a significant contributor to paper waste, which negatively impacts the environment and society as a whole. To address this issue, a circular economy model of production and consumption is needed, which involves reducing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products. This cannot, however, be achieved without a circular waste management system.

Limitations of Reductionist Waste Management Techniques

Traditional waste management techniques are often reductionist and treat waste streams, sources, and management processes separately. This approach fails to consider the interdependent nature of the waste management system, leading to less effective and compartmentalized policies that do not address the root causes of the issue. To overcome these limitations, a system thinking, and design approach can be adopted as employed by Alex Ryan and Mark Leung in their analysis of understanding and intervening in large-scale systems within the Government of Alberta30

30. Ryan, A., & Leung, M. (2014). Systemic Design: Two Canadian Case Studies. FormAkademisk, 7(3). (https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.794)

Recognised Authors

Sustainable Use of Paper: Using a Circular and the System Thinking and Design Approach in Achieving a Sustainable Society

Systems Thinking and Design Approach

Systems thinking is a holistic approach that considers the world's complexity in terms of relationships and wholes, enabling us to understand and manage complex issues effectively. By applying systems thinking and design, we can reduce paper pollution in the construction industry by implementing policies and systems that only accept digital documents, especially during the project design phase31

Through my work on solid waste initiatives both at the design and implementation stages, I have observed that submissions of hard copies of deliverables could be a major contributor to paper pollution causing severe adverse effects on air quality, water, and land as hard-copied documents are submitted to clients at every stage of the project life cycle.

This can easily be replaced with a digital submission especially when the current technological advancement allows for several digital mediums of transmission. In achieving this, individuals and stakeholders will have to be made aware of and visualise the impacts of this waste on the environment.

Learning and Stakeholder Engagement

Achieving the objective of reducing paper waste in the construction industry requires the involvement and participation of all stakeholders, such as clients, contractors, and consultants. Learning and education will play a vital role in raising awareness and fostering social responsibility, ensuring that all stakeholders are committed to achieving set goals and objectives.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Establishing a baseline, regular monitoring and evaluation of strategies are essential for achieving set goals and objectives, creating accountability and transparency. Feedback received from monitoring and evaluation serves as a learning and reference point for future strategies.

Conclusion

Adopting a systems thinking and design approach in reducing paper waste in the construction industry is crucial in addressing the issue of paper pollution from a different perspective and through different lenses. This approach will result in a reduction of waste and greenhouse emissions, leading to a more sustainable future. Achieving a circular waste management system is possible, but it requires the commitment of all stakeholders and the adoption of new policies, systems, and technologies.

31. Sevaldson, Birger & Ryan, Alex. (2014). Relating Systems Thinking and Design I. Practical Advances in Systemic Design. FORMakademisk. 7. 10.7577/ formakademisk.1233.

Recognised Authors

The power of technology in the construction sector in Vietnam

Long Tran Manh is a senior consultant, director of architecture Studio 3 -Vietnam National Construction Consultant Corporation - JSC (VNCC). As a civil engineer for over sixteen years, he has various experience in construction consultancy for large-scale projects in Viet Nam as well as other countries such as: India, Laos, Myanmar.

He is an active member of Vietnam Engineering Consultant Association (VECAS) - a FIDIC Member Association and contribute to the construction consultancy development through his’s sharing and training presentations.

Background

Construction consultancy is an important industry that directly contributes to economic growth, especially in developing countries, such as Vietnam. To keep up with the growing society, the construction industry needs to continuously update, innovate, and adopt new technologies to optimize work efficiency and product quality.

In recent years, the most popular used technology in the construction industry is Building Information Modelling (BIM), a multi-billion euro market that continues to increase. Some companies have developed specialized software with the purpose of digital transformation in construction to manage and integrate various processes.

In Vietnam, the integration of technology into the production management process of construction projects has become a central focus for consulting companies. Their goal is to achieve synchronization, long-term development, and sustainability. This paper introduces some of our strategies for the future development of Vietnam’s construction management.

Strategy 01 - Data standardization

Standardization is the first step towards integrating technology into the field of construction consulting. In Vietnam, thanks to the carefully researched national construction standards, companies have a framework of criteria to apply to their construction projects. Consulting firms can create drawing standards that are specifically applicable to their products. For example, in the construction drawings design stage, three fundamental criteria need to be achieved: accuracy, well-informed, and clarity.

Accuracy ensures compliance with construction techniques, well-informed provides sufficient information for all parties involved, and clarity ensures well-presented and clean drawings. By meeting these standards, the documentation can be officially released. All three criteria can be monitored and controlled through technology. Specifically, the software can be developed to review the quantity and quality of drawing information, the design time can be shortened, and errors can be minimized.

Strategy 02 - Data systematization

A system manage the relationships among standardized data. This system operates based on the professional expertise of engineers who handle real-world clash issues. The system functions like a computer, where users input data, answer predefined questions, and are provided with answers. With the help of machine learning technology, the system will automatically improve based on the volume of data and digitized real-world experiences, becoming more intelligent and delivering more accurate results.

Long Tran Manh, Viet Nam

The power of technology in the construction sector in Vietnam Recognised Authors

Indeed, the specific characteristics and work processes vary from one country to another. This necessitates the development of specialized software tailored to these unique requirements. In Vietnam, there is a need for more attention and investment in the research and development of scientific and technological applications in the construction industry.

Reliance on foreign software without the ability to integrate data into a comprehensive system can limit the competitiveness of Vietnamese construction consulting companies and hinder the full realization of their potential in the era of scientific and technological advancements.

Strategy 03 - Promoting innovation

When technology has taken care of repetitive tasks requiring high precision, a humans value lies in their creativity. Machinery will provide us with more time to engage in creative tasks. Software that contains data, standards, and systems needs to be continuously updated because technology becomes outdated rapidly. The process of updating, streamlining, and innovating depends on the vision, creativity, and future orientation of individuals, organizations, and companies.

Summary and thoughts

Compared to other fields, the construction industry appears to be slower in adopting scientific and technological advancements in its production processes. One reason for this slower adoption is that the construction industry involves multiple stakeholders and complex processes.

Additionally, the industry's products are the physical construction, which requires real-world implementation. With the rapid development of technology in recent years, the aforementioned challenges need to be addressed. They are entirely feasible, and we believe that with relentless efforts, the construction consulting industry will progress and provide more and more accurate solutions to serve the community and contribute to the development of the country.

Recognised Authors

The consulting engineering environment –leveraging new technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Lungu Dan-Serafim was born in the city of Iasi, Romania. He graduated from the “Stefan cel Mare si Sfant” high school in Targu Neamt, the Mathematics-Informatics section in 2004, then the Faculty of Civil Construction at the "Gh. Asachi" University in Iasi, the English Language section in 2009 and the "Rehabilitation and Increasing Construction Safety" Master's at the same faculty, in 2010.

He has been employed by SC PROTOBY SRL since 2009 and currently holds the positions of executive manager and project manager. With over 14 years of experience in the field of civil engineering, the water and wastewater sector, and strives to promote the application of environmental infrastructure, both in the design sector and from the position of Consulting Engineer.

The vision of future leaders in consulting engineering encompasses several key aspects:

Embracing technological advancements: Future leaders in consulting engineering will need to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, including AI, automation, and digital tools. They will need to be able to leverage these technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and innovation in project delivery.

Sustainability and environmental responsibility will continue, with a growing emphasis on sustainability, future leaders will need to prioritize environmentally responsible solutions. They will have to integrate sustainable design principles, renewable energy systems, and green infrastructure to minimize the environmental impact of engineering projects.

A collaborative and multidisciplinary approach will foster a new way of problem-solving. We will work closely with architects, urban planners, environmental experts, and other professionals to create integrated and holistic solutions that address complex challenges.

In this vision, AI can play a transformative role. Future leaders will need to harness AI technologies to drive efficiency, enhance decision-making, and optimize engineering processes. AI will assist in data analysis, risk assessment, and simulation, enabling leaders to make informed decisions and deliver projects that meet the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and societal benefit.

There are several ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve infrastructure and ultimately enhance people's lives. Here are some examples:

Predictive maintenance: AI can analyses large amounts of data from infrastructure systems such as bridges, roads, and buildings to predict when maintenance is needed. This can prevent costly and potentially dangerous failures and reduce downtime for repairs.

Traffic optimization: AI will help to optimize traffic flow in cities by analysing traffic patterns and predicting congestion. This can reduce travel time for commuters, decrease fuel consumption and emissions, and improve overall safety on the roads.

Energy management: AI likewise will be used optimize energy usage in buildings by analysing data on energy consumption patterns and adjusting usage accordingly. This can help reduce energy costs and carbon footprint.

Smart grids: AI will increasingly manage the distribution of energy across the power grid, which can improve the efficiency of energy distribution and reduce the likelihood of power outages.

Lungu Dan-Serafim, Romania

Recognised Authors

The

consulting engineering environment –leveraging new technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Disaster response: AI will provide a new and crucial role in improving disaster response by enhancing preparedness, response coordination, and post-disaster recovery efforts. As shown in the examples below to improve disaster response:

• Early warning systems: AI algorithms can analyze large volumes of data, such as weather patterns, seismic activity, and historical data, to detect early warning signs of potential disasters. This information can be used to issue timely alerts and warnings, giving authorities and communities more time to prepare and evacuate if necessary.

• Predictive modelling: AI can help create predictive models that assess the potential impact and severity of disasters. By analysing historical data and real-time information, AI can estimate the likely areas affected, population at risk, and necessary resources for response planning.

• Resource allocation: During a disaster, AI can assist in optimizing resource allocation. By analysing data on available resources, population distribution, and ongoing rescue and relief efforts, AI algorithms can suggest optimal deployment strategies for emergency personnel, equipment, and supplies to maximize effectiveness and minimize response time.

• Emergency communication: AI-powered chatbots and natural language processing can provide automated and real-time information to affected populations. These systems can answer frequently asked questions, provide updates on evacuation routes, and offer instructions on safety measures. AI can also help analyse social media data to identify critical information, needs, and requests from affected individuals.

• Damage assessment and mapping: AI can aid in rapid damage assessment by analysing satellite imagery, drone footage, and other data sources. Machine learning algorithms can identify and categorize damaged areas, infrastructure, and critical facilities, helping prioritize response efforts and allocate resources accordingly.

• Situation analysis: AI can analyse vast amounts of real-time data from various sources, such as social media, sensor networks, and emergency calls, to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date situational awareness to emergency management teams. This enables more effective decision-making and resource coordination during the response phase.

• Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction: AI can assist in assessing infrastructure damage, estimating reconstruction costs, and designing optimal recovery plans. Machine learning algorithms can analyse historical data to identify the most effective strategies for rebuilding, considering factors like cost, time, and sustainability.

It's important to note that while AI can greatly enhance disaster response, it should always be complemented with human expertise and decision-making. Collaboration between AI systems and human responders can lead to more efficient, effective, and coordinated disaster response efforts.

Recognised Authors

The consulting engineering environment –leveraging new technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As part of this article, I would like to highlight the following books and publications that provide insight into how AI can be harnessed for the betterment of society, offering insights into its potential benefits, applications, and considerations for responsible implementation.

• "The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, and the Future of Humanity" by Byron Reese: The book explores how AI and automation can transform various industries, economies, and ultimately improve human life.

• "The AI Advantage: How to Put the Artificial Intelligence Revolution to Work" by Thomas H. Davenport: The author explores practical applications of AI in business, focusing on how AI can enhance productivity, customer experience, and overall organizational performance.

• "The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth" by Michio Kaku: While discussing a broad range of topics, this book explores the role of AI and advanced technologies in shaping our future, including the potential for enhancing human life and expanding beyond Earth.

• "AI for Good: How Artificial Intelligence Can Be Our Ally" by Jason Jerald: This book explores the potential of AI for positive societal impact, covering areas such as healthcare, education, sustainability, and social welfare.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the consulting engineering environment holds immense potential for improving the quality of life while maintaining a human-centric approach.

By leveraging AI's capabilities to optimize designs, enhance energy efficiency, enable predictive maintenance, and support informed decision-making, consulting engineers can create infrastructure that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and user experience. A combination of AI and human approaches will be utilised that considers social, cultural, and environmental factors, with this we can foster inclusive and resilient infrastructure systems that positively impact the well-being and quality of life for individuals and communities.

Recognised Authors

Reclaiming Sustainability: The Importance of Nature-Based Solutions for Engineering Consultants in Post-Mining Recovery

Mohammad Ilham Akbar is a business development and research officer at BITA Group of Companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in architectural research from the same university. His research and design experiences range from environmental sustainability to disability and social inclusion. He has won global competitions in architectural design and parliamentary debating.

Ilham started his career as an architect and researcher at BITA Bina Semesta, BITA’s environmental, planning, and studies company in 2020. He was mostly involved in the environmental studies of Indonesia’s New Capital City master planning. Afterwards, in 2023, he joined BITA group’s business development team as a business development and research officer. He was involved in research and integration of experts’ knowledge for technical proposal writeups in transportation and regional development, among others. He is also researching BITA Group’s potential pathway to a sustainable business transition.

As a fresh and new architecture graduate entering an engineering consulting firm, I was privileged to have my first full-time assignment as being part of Indonesia’s New Capital City master planning, arguably a pivotal project in the nation’s development. One of my responsibilities was to formulate urban design parameters. Thinking I was going to be involved in designing a futuristic urban environment, I was surprised that the subject of the urban design parameters I was assigned was less comprehensive than I envisaged and often overlooked. For example, pits formed from terminated mining activities.

New to the subject, I consulted and learned from senior mining experts to determine how the New Capital City should deal with its many abandoned ex-mining pits within its delineation. This includes how to conduct mining reclamations, which is, among others, to cover and reforest the ex-mining pits; or how to turn them to a safe and profitable lake for functions like ecotourism and floating solar farm; or even, if reclamation is not yet feasible, how to properly secure and close off the ex-mining pits through fencing, buffer forests, and other means.

More important than the urban design parameters, I learned how significant a problem abandoned ex-mining pits are in Indonesia. According to a report by the Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), in 2014-2020, more than 168 people, mostly children, have died from falling into the ex-mining pits in Indonesia.

In total, there are 3,092 abandoned ex-mining pits identified by the network in Indonesia, with 1,735 of them located in East Kalimantan, the location of the New Capital City and one of Indonesia’s largest producers of coal.32 Currently, East Kalimantan is dominated by mining concessions, stifling opportunity for environmental recovery and economic diversification. Mining companies in Indonesia have a legal obligation to conduct mine pit reclamations and put forth a “reclamation bond” to the government when their mining permit expires. Non-compliance to this regulation should result in sanctions such as the removal of business permit or even 5 years imprisonment for the mining company’s executive.

In reality, however, these regulations has not been enforced and the realization of mining reclamations is contributed to by several factors including: lack of mining inspectors to enforce the regulations; loopholes within the regulation that allow only partial mine reclamation or even tolerance of failure in proper reclamation; and the existence of many “illegal mines” in which the government cannot link their reclamation to any registered mining company.

Mohammad Ilham Akbar, Indonesia

32. Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), Guerrilla Against Extractivism Machine, 25 January 2021, (https://www.jatam.org/en/guerrilla-against-extractivism-machine/)

Recognised Authors

Reclaiming Sustainability: The Importance of Nature-Based Solutions for Engineering Consultants in Post-Mining Recovery

Although the future of mine reclamations in Indonesia may seem bleak, there have been positive steps taken. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry for instance has partnered with Kaltim Prima Coal, one of the largest coal mining companies in Indonesia, to conduct two example pilot projects of proper mining reclamations in East Kalimantan.

The engineering consulting firm in which I am a part of, BITA, was also involved in the masterplanning of Telaga Batu Arang Eco-Park in Sangatta, East Kalimantan. It is an ex-mining pit from Kaltim Prima Coal turned into a “conservation park” and buffer zone to Kutai National Park. The concept was to develop an arboretum for indigenous plants of the area, not only creating simple shrubs and grassland, thus restoring its ecological function. It is also a training centre for the community to enhance their ability to develop a sustainable commercial agriculture as well as animal husbandry, creating job opportunities. This kind of mining reclamation reflects a “nature-based solution,” not only to prevent the safety hazards of ex-mining pits, but also to combat climate change and environmental degradation. According to US’s National Wildlife Federation, degraded lands such as ex-mining pits are more vulnerable to release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, worsening climate change. They also cause things like air and water pollution to the surrounding communities and damage to the ecosystem and biodiversity.33 Nature-based mining reclamations that restore forest ecosystems then becomes pivotal in reducing greenhouse gases and environmental damages.

Another example is how Appalachian Voices is beginning a pilot project to conduct mine reclamations that can be supported by the carbon trading market, ensuring the necessary intervention, and funding to create high quality reforestations. This also creates economic diversification for a region from formerly dominated by mining to forest management.34

The shift from an environmentally damaging mining industry to a more diversified economy then becomes an important part in achieving sustainability. Samarinda, the capital city of East Kalimantan, has made a strong step in that direction by declaring that Samarinda will be free of mining activities by 2026. This creates ample opportunity for mining reclamation projects which not only restores the environment but creates new economies in things like forest management, ecotourism, and agriculture from the reclaimed lands. Thus, engineering consultants such as us need to prepare the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high quality nature-based solutions in mining reclamations to help realize these potential projects.

This positive step, however, is being hampered by political and business reasons. For example, the economic masterplan of the national New Capital City (Nusantara) in East Kalimantan has declared Samarinda as a “mining industry center” for the future, thus casting doubt and even providing signals of a cancellation to Samarinda’s 2026 commitment of being free of mining.

As an engineering consultant that has profited for more than 40 years from designing mining infrastructure, including in East Kalimantan, we are conscious of the environmental and social toll that mining activities have put to the local community and even the world at large. Therefore, when we recently had the opportunity to be involved in a scoping study by a foreign donor for East Kalimantan’s regional development, we didn’t hesitate to decide that it was time for us to make reparations and give back to the land.

In the scoping study’s proposal, I helped put the problem of the domination of mining concessions and ex-mining pits front and centre, highlighting the potential of nature-based solutions in mining reclamation to create environmental, social, and even economic sustainability for East Kalimantan. Hopefully, this will help push the government to revert Samarinda’s positioning as a mining industry centre and focus on environmental recovery and economic diversification instead.

In the end, I do hope that engineering consultants continue to help push this agenda, by providing expertise on nature-based solutions and help highlight the importance of mining reclamations in projects such as regional scoping studies and master planning. I believe it has come time for us to reclaim the degraded lands from decades of mining and reclaim sustainability for all.

33. National Wildlife Federation, Why Cleaning Up Our Degraded Lands—All 4 Million of Them—Is a Climate Solution, 8 September 2022, (https://blog.nwf.org/2022/09/whycleaning-up-our-degraded-lands-all-4-million-of-them-is-a-climate-solution/)

34. Appalachian Voices, Carbon removal on reforested mine lands: One nature-based solution for two deep challenges, 13 February 2023, (https://appvoices.org/2023/02/13/ reforestation/)

Recognised Authors

Can ‘Net Zero’ and a ‘Just Transition’ be truly compatible in a Climate Emergency?

Niamh McCloskey is a member of the ACE Emerging Professionals North, a Chartered Structural Engineer, and Sustainability Coordinator at Curtins.

Niamh is passionate that the global movement to ‘Net Zero’ enables everyone to move with it. Born and raised in Grimsby, Niamh shares her viewpoint of growing up in a town that has changed its narrative from once being considered a lost cause for employment and opportunities, to ‘at the forefront of the war on carbon emissions’.

Emma Scholes is a Senior Geo-environmental Engineer at Curtins, alongside holding the role of Chair for the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) Emerging Professionals North Committee, and sitting on the Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity Emerging Professionals Working Group.

Having grown up in Nottinghamshire, a region strongly affected by the 1980s mining closures, Emma is passionate about learning lessons from the past to ensure communities affected by closing industries are not left behind as the transition to Net Zero takes place.

Setting the scene of the problem:

In today’s world the drive on sustainability is at the forefront of news and politics, with governments around the world targeting Net Zero as early as 2025. Ending our dependency on fossil fuels is an opportunity to replace our broken energy system with one that prioritises people and planet, instead of profit. The construction industry is one of the largest contributors globally, accounting for almost 40% of greenhouse gas emissions35

A transition to using more sustainable resources is undoubtedly crucial, but the question is often posed of ‘at what cost?’ Are governments globally moving too quickly in desperation to hit the targets, without enough consideration of other factors affected by this move?

As the British construction industry moves to offshore emissions in efforts for Net Zero, there is a blunt link emerging of a reduction in emissions equating to a reduction in jobs? What reputation is being given to a sustainable future within communities who have already lived through previous industrial disruption cycles (coal mining industries, closure of power plant and steel factories) and have only experienced job instability and financial uncertainty?

The concept of a ‘just transition’” Is certainly not a new term –the International Labour Organisation, United Nations, defined a set of guidelines for achieving just transitions, key factors were to involve all ‘stakeholders’ through social dialogue, skills development, and promotion of creating new ‘decent’ job opportunities36

35. LETI (2020). LETI Embodied Carbon Primer. London Energy Transformative Initiative. Accessed 16 May 2023 at: www.leti.uk/ecp

36. David Coats (2020). A Just Transition? Managing the challenges of technology, trade, climate change and COVID-19. Accessed 16 May 2023 at: ferryfoundation.org.uk/ report/a-just-transition-managing-the-challenges-of-technology-trade-climate-change-and-covid-19/

Niamh McCloskey, United Kingdom

Emma Scholes, United Kingdom

Recognised Authors

Can ‘Net Zero’ and a ‘Just Transition’ be truly compatible in a Climate Emergency?

This paper aims to highlight the battle faced today beneath the surface of Net Zero, showcasing case studies of both past and present transitions, to encourage the reader to question whether a ‘just transition’ can truly be achieved under the pressure of a climate emergency?

What have we learnt from History?

In the UK an estimated 5.7 million people live in coalfield areas. In 1985 during the mining strikes (Figure 1) a total of 221,000 people were employed within the industry and 90% of these jobs were lost with first 10 years of closures37. A generation on from closures these former mining towns and villages have still not recovered. Unemployment, ill health, and social disadvantage still exist in these towns, extending further beyond ex-miners themselves.38 Studies aimed at quantifying the extent of damage to local economies show that overall earnings for ex-miners may still be depleted by up to 30% from original salaries 15 years after initial displacement from work.39 The closure of coal mines in the UK is now part of our history (albeit the lasting effects of this are still very present).

There are, however, many active coal mines around the world, e.g., China, United States, South Africa, that will be called upon to close as sustainable targets are pursued. It should be stated that as the authors of this paper we agree that we need to stop burning coal to ensure the critical reduction in emissions, however, one study39 estimates at least 5 million people globally will be displaced from work if coal is truly phased out.

With the scale, speed and geographical concentration of the mining closures referred to as ‘arguably the definitive example of deindustrialisation in Britain or Western Europe’37, the role of these case studies in the prevention of future community collapses at the hands of ‘NetZero transitions’ is critical. This is relevant both in alternative UK industries, and coal industries around the world. By closing any industry without also setting up a transition plan for the workers, many areas will experience unemployment, homelessness, and social disadvantage. Lessons must be learnt.

What is happening right now?

The UK proposes that by 2050 the country will be Net Zero and by 2035 the country will be powered entirely by clean energy, as part of a government proposal that will create an estimated 440,000 jobs by 2030.40 In 2023 a sixth of UK emissions are predicted to come from many UK gas, oil and steel companies.41 Whilst producing 67million tonnes of CO2 in 2019 between them, these companies also employ 400,000 people (directly and indirectly) in the UK42

Yet there is no clear Government plan on how the creation of new jobs links to the loss of others.

37. Christina Beatty, Stephen Fothergill, Ryan Powell. (2007). Twenty years on: has the economy of UK coalfields recovered? Environment and Planning A. Vol. 39. Accessed 19 May 2023 at: www.channel4.com/media/c4-news/pdf/coalfields.pdf

38. BBC News (2019). Former Mining Communities ‘Still Scarred by Past’. Accessed 19 May 2023 at: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50069336

39. Juan-Pablo Rudd, Michael Simmons, Gerhard Toews, Fernando Aragon (2022). Job Displacement Costs of Phasing out Coal. Institute for Fiscal Studies. Accessed 19 May 2023 at: ifs.org.uk/publications/job-displacement-costs-phasing-out-coal

40. GOV.UK (2021). Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener. UK Government. Accessed 16 May 2023 at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy

41. Sky News (2022). Britain’s Biggest Polluters. Accessed 16 May 2023 at: news.sky.com/story/climate-change-investigation-the-top-15-polluters-in-the-uk-revealed-12171349

42. The Guardian (2023). British Steel Announce 300 Job Losses at Scunthorpe Works. Accessed 24 May 2023 at: www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/22/british-steelannounce-300-job-losses-scunthorpe-works

43. The Guardian (2023). British Steel Announce 300 Job Losses at Scunthorpe Works. Accessed 24 May 2023 at: www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/22/british-steelannounce-300-job-losses-scunthorpe-works

FIGURE 1: UK MINERS STRIKES 1984-1985

Recognised Authors

Can ‘Net Zero’ and a ‘Just Transition’ be truly compatible in a Climate Emergency?

In the steel industry, in the past 6 months, it has been warned that thousands of jobs are at risk as British Steel look to close part of their Scunthorpe plant to move overseas. The owners said the move was due to £190m in extra costs from higher energy bills and carbon credits. This has caused heightened fears about the viability of the plant, where the bulk of British Steel’s 4,000 workers are based . In 2022 the UK government pledged to give £300m to steel manufacturers, supporting the upgrade in infrastructure which would reduce carbon emissions associated with producing steel. This funding was tied to retaining jobs at steelworks. Companies involved, however, have indicated that £300million would not even cover the upgrade of one plant43.

If the Government and employers cannot afford the upgrade, and we know it is critical that these manufacturing methods must come to an end, could the £300million pledged be used to enable transition of workers into new industries instead?

Many oil, gas, and steelwork trades have skills suitable for the renewable energy sector with their associated training. Unfortunately, at present there is no standard which allows transfer of skills certification without retraining (the cost of which is currently being pushed onto workers themselves44).

This highlights the difficulty of decarbonisation. A steelmaker employing 4,000 people is struggling to fund a transition

towards Net Zero, the government is unable to give them sufficient funds to help, and the workers are facing the prospect of having to change jobs (maybe even relocate) and pay for the retraining themselves.

Success Stories:

A successful ‘just transition’ will ensure people, such as the 600,000 workers in UK manufacturing and supply chains, ‘don’t lose out as their lives and livelihoods are transformed by climate action’. The future employment of those workers is dependent on the government and industries buying into the concept of a just transition, and the retraining involved.

Success could come in all shapes and sizes; from the local demolition contractor learning how to dismantle buildings to enable its reuse, the steelwork fabricators using the redundant steel tubes from oil rigs to be the foundations for offshore wind turbines, and mechanical engineers transitioning car factories to make electric vehicles.45

Experience demonstrates the value of a just transition. In producing this paper, we spoke to Orsted, who went from being one of the most coal-intensive energy companies in Europe to one of the world’s most sustainable energy companies. They utilised their European offshore wind expertise to train and create a UK market of skilled workers, who can then deliver this offshore wind locally and globally. This 10-year transition started by taking a large commercial business risk to disinvest in their fossil fuels infrastructure and invest in renewables. By 2030, the offshore wind industry could support over 27,000 direct jobs and many more in the supply chain.

A wider example of this is in Grimsby, once the largest fishing port in the world, Grimsby experienced the effects of post-industrial decline as its main economy slowed. The coastal town has developed a new vision focused on offshore wind and the renewable energy sector (Figure 2).

44. Friends of the Earth Scotland (2022). Just Transition - A fair and Just Transition for all. Accessed 16 May 2023 at: foe.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Our-Power-Report. pdf

45. Anna Markova (2021). ‘Want to know what a just transition to a green economy looks like? Ask the workers’. Accessed 7 June 2023 at: www.theguardian.com/ commentisfree/2021/oct/18/just-transition-green-economy-workers-resources-empowerment

FIGURE 2: CHANGING THE NARRATIVE IN GRIMSBY

Recognised Authors

Can ‘Net Zero’ and a ‘Just Transition’ be truly compatible in a Climate Emergency?

Now,

can ‘Net Zero’ and a ‘Just Transition’ be truly compatible in a Climate Emergency?

To enable a successful transition, governments and employers need to include those directly affected. When questioning what a ‘just transition’ looks like, Anna Markova, co-lead of climate and industrial policy at the Trades Union Congress, advises to ‘ask a teenager in South Wales, where coal mining jobs have not been replaced by alternatives and unemployment levels are among the highest in the UK. [Or] ask the oil rig worker who has been travelling to work by helicopter for 15 years but is having to pay £2,000 for yet another helicopter safety training course to be able to work on a wind turbine’.45 Case studies like Orsted and the community of Grimsby show how successful a just transition can be for businesses, communities, and individuals alike. Now the challenge is to combine this success with the time demands of a Climate Emergency.

A final thought for the reader:

It may feel easier to hold on to what you have and what you know rather than seeing transition as an exciting opportunity. This is an opportunity for revived industries to shape a new identity within communities, moving away from the narrative of ‘disadvantaged declining industrial towns’ and allowing those places and people to become thriving leaders in the UK’s efforts to decarbonise.

Recognised Authors

Consulting engineers take on the role of a solution architect

Richard Opsahl Resvoll has experience ranging across contracting and consulting engineering activities with overall technical project manager responsibility. He has been responsible for tender management, preparation of condition reports (due diligence), follow-up of service on technical facilities in commercial buildings, operation and property management of commercial buildings, energy labeling of commercial buildings, energy assessment of technical facilities, sketch and preliminary project with cost estimates, tender materials, collection of tenders, evaluation of tenders, contracting, drawing up contracts as well as follow-up during construction, project management and construction management.

Richard is known for adopting new and non-traditional methodologies for project development and implementation. Values creativity and focus on competence development and the use of organizational psychology in the performance of the role of project manager for many large public projects.

Consulting engineers face the challenge of finding solutions to some of humanity's greatest challenge to date. These consulting engineers will need to fulfil this by meeting, societal needs and succeeding in implementing economic and wealth creation utilising digital technologies in an increasingly highly productive manner. As part of this it will be vital that global policy makers clear the way for this necessary innovation. Inventiveness in engineering must be given greater priority.

In the last couple of years, the engineering consulting industry has been dramatically impacted by both external challenges, and industry-specific trends. In last year’s scenario report, The Future Trends Committee at EFCA (European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations) identified “project demand” and “openness to markets” as the two main dimensions, which resulted in four distinct future scenarios that engineering consultants could face.

Since then, several key trends have continued to grow/develop and point towards a more digitized, sustainable, and at least partly harmonized future for the industry. This will involve continued industry consolidation, the adoption of new technologies and a more widespread interdisciplinary project collaboration and a drive for harmonization. Consultant engineers are, and will need, to adapt to the upcoming trends and markets.

A threat to success is the shifting trend in the last decade to one of deglobalization and protectionism. Shifts in economic performance and in prices and supply especially in energy markets have been drivers for reevaluation of many policies, for example, trades agreements across borders. A deglobalized market speaks for knowledge and expertise locally. In my opinion the future needs access to end game success factors. Success factors that are enabled by consulting engineers’ innovations, and the silver bullet that is reaching the globes full potential in a more globalized world moderated with the high impact of knowledge sharing.

We must accelerate the process of discovery. Given the challenges ahead of the industry, innovation will be key. Innovation not only purely in technical aspects or in digitalisation, but also in the way we integrate and address engineering projects. I believe the success factor lies in ensuring diversity among the company’s employees, and in extended collaboration with other organizations. Barriers across industries must fall and potential synergies must be facilitated so that they can be realized. This new world will be all about knowledge sharing and collaboration between industries.

Unfortunately, in the consultancy industry we see another side of procurement requirements in the public sector. We need to demand juniors, development and engage into education-heavy occupations! We often see the that public purchasers prefer senior consultants that have a heavy CV, lots of experience and good references, and practically this sends the message that the quality of the consultant is equated to how long they have been around. I mean this is wrong. When digitalisation, innovation and sustainability are drivers in a project, younger employees are needed. We need a team with different skills to deliver our best quality.

Richard Opsahl Resvoll, Norway

Recognised Authors

Consulting engineers take on the role of a solution architect

Digital and technological developments are advancing at an accelerated pace, through which businesses are becoming more data focused. Nevertheless, despite such a shift in orientation, it is imperative that customer relations are not neglected but rather fortified. Capitalizing on their customer proximity means that consulting engineers take on the role of a solution architect at the beginning of the value chain. Given clients’ growing desire for sustainable operations, spatial flexibility, greater energy efficiency, as well as better user experience, engineering companies can and should translate and enhance their clients’ requirements into better solutions. This can be done using digital models and clearly advising on best practices as making sure that everyone communicates the project’s real potential and not its business-as-usual potential.

Specifically, consulting engineers can be the creative designers who act as the interface between the investor and the technology. They provide ideas and guidance for their clients in construction projects and improve the overall offerings of the solutions.

Furthermore, in a world driven by green finance requirements, consulting engineers can take over the role of green engineering consultants at the interface between the investor, construction companies and financial institutions. They provide ideas and initiate partnerships with suppliers that ensure efforts towards sustainability in construction projects.

Such bespoke customer advice goes along with higher margins, that certain clients are willing to pay. How will the EU Taxonomy's requirements affect the design and construction of buildings? We should increase our sectors involvement as sustainability advisors and are positioned to be the ideal parties to assist clients in developing more sustainable projects.

An example is BREEAM-NOR 6.0, which to a certain extent has changed the order of the assessments to be made in the design phase, in order for the building to be able to meet the Taxonomy requirements. These are things that we as advisers are (or should be) up to date on so that we can guide projects in the right direction. This BREEAM Infrastructure (which applies to infrastructure and transport project) should also continue to evolve and is which can be seen by the move to continue to develop the process and taxonomy, the new manual is expected to be available in 1-2 years.

The construction industry is likely to experience a transformation in the coming years, as an accelerated rollout of digitized and data-oriented solutions occurs. Simultaneous with a growing demand from customers and regulators for more environmentally friendly and sustainable construction projects. I believe that this is all leading to an updated industry standards and a higher degree of harmonization, that could further reduce entry barriers.

Low hanging fruits that are up for grabs:

• Public authorities can lead by example and evaluate its requirements when procuring consulting engineers. We need to make it possible for a wide range of competence in projects.

• Demand mandatory adoption by public clients in procurement, of open standards and eliminate prescriptive use of proprietary software and file formats.

• Innovative solutions and emerging technologies must be systematically allowed as “variants” in public procurement. Engineering consultants will adapt as most other markets will, and companies should be seen more as alliances and companies will continue to grapple to ensure their most profitable position going forward given the economic, regulatory, and legal environment set by policy makers, government, and industry.

As consultant engineers we should dare to be more visible in media as podcasts, tv shows and politics. I wholeheartedly believe that we are not going to reach out with the message about what the challenges and solutions are without being present on these channels - and especially with a view to guiding younger people into the industry.

There are many younger engineers/advisors who can advantageously share more of what it is like to be an engineer so that more children/young people become interested in becoming engineers.

A harmonized policy demand stimulation, who enables markets as well as positions the consultant engineers to once again reform as enabling of the industrial revolution, will contribute significantly towards reaching the next level and to building a more sustainable world.

Recognised Authors

Digital Transformation by Distant Automatic Control of Port Sluice

As a consultant engineer in Japan, Shinichiro Iwamoto has been engaged in planning and designing of renewal of water supply facilities, planning of life extension of sewerage facilities, stock management work as an electrical equipment manager. In the waterworks business, I was engaged in the planning of power receiving and transforming equipment, generators, monitoring and control equipment, for a 200,000 ton/day water purification plant. He also have experience in designing electrical equipment for flood control facilities such as drainage pump stations. In the overseas project, he worked on the renewal of a water treatment plant in Nepal, where he was in charge of procurement planning for electrical equipment.

Introduction

In Japan, a large number of people are engaged in the operation of port sluices and other areas where there was significant loss of life in the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011. Based on this situation, in March 2012, the ministries and agencies concerned with the coast developed guidelines to establish a management system to ensure the operation of port sluices and other facilities in the event of a tsunami or storm surge.

These developments considered the safety of those engaged in the operation of sluices and other facilities as the top priority, and in 2015, the 'Guidelines for Sluices, Land Locks and Other Facilities in Tsunami and Storm Surge Response Management System " was published. This paper introduces the contents of the guidelines and presents actual case studies of their implementation in Japan.

Guideline Content

In flood control facilities such as drainage pump stations and sluice gates in Japan, the principle of on-site manual operation has traditionally been to ensure reliable operation during disasters such as floods and tsunamis. As mentioned above, however, in the case of tsunamis, etc., the lives of the maintenance and management staff who operate the gates may be at risk, and this guideline recommends a digital transformation using remote automatic control, particularly for port sluice gates. In addition, the number of maintenance and management staff is decreasing in Japan, where the birth-rate is declining and the population is ageing, so the centralisation of monitoring of multiple sluices by remote automatic control is contributing to solving this problem.

In the guidelines, the levels of automatic control of port sluices are organised from Level 1 to Level 6. Level 1 requires that only the water level near the port sluice is checked from a remote location (e.g., city hall or disaster-prevention centre), and when it is necessary to close the sluice, maintenance and management staff go to the site and manually close the sluice.

On the other hand, in Level 6, where automation is most advanced, seismographs are installed in the machine-side operation panel installed at the sluice gate, and if an earthquake is detected, the sluice gate is controlled to close automatically. The other way of controlling a Level 6 is that the sluice gate is to close automatically using telemeters and other communication equipment after receiving a preliminary warning of an earthquake or tsunami from the Japan Meteorological Agency or other authorities at a remote site. This level 6 control does not require any operation from the remote site and enables monitoring of whether the sluice gate is closed or not.

The guidelines, however, do not immediately recommend the introduction of Level 6, and the level of control to be introduced, from Level 1 to Level 6, needs to be considered depending on the maintenance and management system of the municipality with jurisdiction over the sluice gate.

Shinichiro Iwamoto, Japan

Recognised Authors

Digital Transformation by Distant Automatic Control of Port Sluice

Case Studies in Japan

In Prefecture A, which was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, seismic countermeasures and high-speed operation of tide gates have been implemented since 2003. Prior to the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and in particular, in regions close to the epicentre of the earthquake, remote operation has been implemented and operated. After the implementation of seismic countermeasures and remote operation of sluice gates, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred.

Although the dykes and facilities were partially damaged by the tsunami and had to be repaired, remote operation could be completed before the tsunami arrived. One of the two remote operation bases (fire station) was damaged by the tsunami that struck over the coastal levee after the remote operation was completed. As a future measure, it is necessary to install the operating base in a safe location and multiplex the communication lines to further promote remote operation, ensure safety, and improve the reliability of the operation.

In prefecture B, based on the damage caused by the tsunami from the Great East Japan Earthquake, a survey was conducted from April to June 2011 to determine whether, in the event of an expected future earthquake, the closure operator could evacuate to a safe place after closing sluices until the estimated tsunami arrival time.

Based on the above survey, it was decided that the automation and other improvements were made sequentially, starting with those that did not have enough time to evacuate. In 2011, it was decided to notify the sluice gate operators of the operational policy of 'escape without operating' for the 46 sluices that are difficult to evacuate (i.e., cannot afford to evacuate), and to proceed with the development of automation, etc. (remote, automated, etc.) on a priority basis.

Summary

Based on the lessons learnt from the Great East Japan Earthquake, port sluices in Japan have been increasingly automated and controlled at a remote site. This is expected to reduce damage to sluice operators and improve the manpower shortage of maintenance and management staff due to disasters such as tsunamis. On the other hand, the promotion of digital transformation such as automatic control requires a high level of reliability in communication equipment, etc., and therefore, there is a need to improve the multiplexing of communication equipment, etc.

Recognised Authors

Decarbonization of the Nigeria Construction Sector

Timothy Adekeye is a certified Civil engineer with over 15 year’s experience in Infrastructure Engineering. These experiences range from geometric design, pavement design, geo-technical investigation, transport planning, Highway Management system, transportation economic, Project Management (cost, resources, risk, scope, and quality) and all aspect of project management, Construction Supervision, project documentation and Contract management for various projects.

Introduction

The construction industry has been attributed to global concerns of climate change as human-caused construction related emissions have been at a dangerous state since the 1900s which has had adverse effects on individuals in the society. As a consequence of this increase in emission rate, atmospheric gas concentration from activities such as construction, trade, agriculture, deforestation, and consumption of fossil energy, increased by 30% since pre-industrial times.

Building construction has a very significant environmental impact and the construction industry is one of the biggest consumers of energy resources, consuming approximately 50% of the total energy demand throughout their lifecycle including construction, operation, and demolition. This is believed to contribute nearly 50% of the CO2 emission released into the atmosphere (Dimoudi and Tompa, 2008)46. Buildings and infrastructure last 50 to 100 years and consume energy continuously which then produce carbon emission, affecting the climate and impacting global warming (Zainordi & Zahra, 2020)47

Globally, buildings and construction sector accounted for 36% of final energy use and 39% of energy and process-related carbon dioxide (CO2) (International Energy Agency, 2019). Construction is among the leading industries/activities contributing the largest carbon footprint (Sizirici et al. 2021)48. The CO2 emission of the construction sector was estimated at 5.7 billion tons which made up 23% of the emission of global economic activity in 2009 (Huang et al., 2018). The industry is listed as the single largest global consumer of resources in the European Union, consuming 40% of material and 40% of waste annually.

In developing countries, building contributes to 33% of the greenhouse gasses (GHG) emission and 40% of the energy consumption which stem from the usage of construction equipment, the manufacturing of building material and transportation. In 2021, the energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in West Africa were 175 million metric tons, the highest level of CO2 emissions registered in the region since 2010 and accounted for approximately 95 million metric ton of CO2 emissions (Doris Duka Sasu, 2023)49

In Nigeria, the largest share of greenhouse gases is associated with gases from the burning of fossil fuels and cement manufacture (Trading Economics, 2022)50. The contributing factors to carbon emissions in the construction sector can either take (i) Direct and (ii) Indirect forms, also referred to as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions respectively (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2020).

46. Dimoudi, A., & Tompa, C. (2008). Energy and environmental indicators related to construction of office buildings. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 53(1-2), 86–95.

47. Zainordin, N., & Zahra, D. B. F. (2020). Factors Contributing to Carbon Emission in Construction Activity. Advances in Engineering Research, 200.

48. Sizirici, B., Fseha, Y., Cho, C.-S., Yildiz, I., & Byon, Y.-J. (2021). A Review of Carbon Footprint Reduction in Construction Industry, from Design to Operation. Materials, 14(20), 6094.

49. International Energy Agency. (2019). Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019 – Analysis.

50. Trading Economics (2022). Nigeria CO2 Emissions - 2022 Data - 2023 Forecast - 1960-2021 Historical - Chart

Timothy Adekeye, Nigeria

Recognised Authors

Decarbonization of the Nigeria Construction Sector

Direct carbon emissions are those from onsite construction operation such as construction, maintenance, or demolition while Indirect carbon emissions are those resulting from the supply of construction operation with both product and service such as cement, bricks, steel, and plaster production (US EPA, 2020)51.

Although several countries are working towards decarbonization, Nigeria efforts have not been directly targeted at the way we build, especially considering that the country population is predicted to exceed 400million in 2050, which would lead to more constructions in the near future.

Way forward

In view of the foregoing, we as engineers must adapt and adopt materials, methods and processes that minimizes carbon emission. These may include:

• Materials – in our designs, concepts and planning, more environmentally friendly options must be sought and incorporated into every project.

• Methodology and methods – likewise our construction methodology must change to ensure our approach to construction works does not have a negative impact on the physical environment. In managing stakeholders, proper account must be taken of construction approach to ensure sustainable practices. Further to this, deterrents must be put in place to discourage non sustainable construction options that release or keep carbon in the environment.

• Processes – it is no longer a luxury to infuse sustainable project options and processes into our tasks and activities. As engineering professionals, a clear-cut evidence of our focus on environmentally friendly alternatives and options is our choice of materials and the processes or implementation approach towards delivery of top-notch projects.

Recognised Authors

Enhancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Role of Future Leaders in building inclusive workplaces

Wojciech Szewczak Wojciech is a dynamic, proactive, and forward-thinking associate at Ramboll management consulting with eight years of experience working with clients in the transport and Infrastructure sector and delivering strategic sustainability advisory services.

Wojciech is Chair of the Association for Consultancy Engineering (ACE) emerging professionals, the group of more than 100 next-generation industry leaders working in the natural and built environment in the UK.

Wojciech is passionate about influencing UK's construction industry and developing the next generation of industry leaders. He sits on the ACE Advisory Group and Building Magazine's building the Future Commission people advisory panel. Additionally, he hosts the fresh perspectives video podcast, judges industry awards, and speaks at prestigious in-person and virtual panel discussions.

Sam Reeson is a principal town planner at Arup and has over ten years of experience working with clients in the water and transport sector, delivering consent for major infrastructure schemes in the UK.

Sam is the National Vice-Chair of the Association for Consultancy Engineering's (ACE) Emerging Professionals, a group of more than 100 next-generation industry leaders working in the natural and built environment in the UK. Additionally, Sam is leading the Enhancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion theme of the group's strategy. Having spent all his career within the construction sector, Sam has experienced how the industry has changed in improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in the UK. There is, however, more to be accomplished. Sam and his colleague Wojciech want to encourage future-focused leaders to take action and showcase their passion for creating more inclusive workplaces.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion in the UK’s construction industry

The UK's construction industry has a reputation for needing to be more diverse, and a noticeable shift is required to push towards a greater awareness of the benefits that Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) play in the workplace and broader society.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has published concerning ED&I statistics52 for the industry:

• Women make up just 15% of the UK construction industry workforce, with only an estimated 2% working on-site.

• Black, Asian and minority ethnic employees make up just 6% of the industry.

• Disabled employees make up just 6% of the workforce.

• 60% of LGBTQ+ employees have experienced homophobic and derogatory terms at work.

Sam Reeson, United Kingdom

Wojciech Szewczak, United Kingdom

Recognised Authors

Enhancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Role of Future Leaders in building inclusive workplaces

Our industry has progressed towards a better understanding of the benefits that ED&I can deliver within the workplace, and this was demonstrated by businesses taking action in developing strategies and setting up ambitious targets.

Our sector, however, remains male-dominated, and the next generation of industry leaders believes that more must be accomplished. We see opportunities for businesses to improve diversity further and creating workplaces where everyone feels valued and can bring their best to work every day.

Over-representation of one section of society can increase the risk of unconscious bias in decision-making. Additionally, our sector faces the challenge of attracting and retaining talent. Therefore, the importance of building inclusive cultures in the workplace has never been more critical, and future leaders have a role in making our sector more welcoming to all.

Building Inclusivity campaign

In 2022, Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) launched a new ED&I campaign, Building Inclusivity, to help businesses create inclusive environments where individuals in our industry from all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and empowered.

By researching challenges faced by LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and Ethnic Minority communities and working with member representatives, the campaign identified barriers and strategies to overcome them and create inclusive workplaces. As part of the long-term strategy to help companies foster an inclusive ethos, members were invited to commit to the ACE People

First Charter, a new and positive benchmark for industry improvement and an opportunity for members to collaborate across the sector and demonstrate their leadership publicly.

The campaign recognises the importance of nurturing the next generation of engineers and consultants and creating a pipeline of diverse talent to promote long-term inclusivity within the construction industry. ACE Emerging Professionals, the group for the next generation of industry leaders, has been very active and supportive in developing the campaign, which fully aligned with their strategic ambition of enhancing ED&I in our industry.

What is the role of Future Leaders in overcoming the barriers to inclusive workplaces?

The built environment sector is at the forefront of solving the world's biggest problems, such as tackling climate change. To succeed, we must attract and retain the best diverse talent, we all have a role to play in dismantling the barriers preventing talented people from studying and working in our industry. Therefore, future-focused leaders are essential in overcoming ED&I barriers, demonstrating ambition and promoting the importance of building inclusive workplaces.

As part of the Building Inclusivity campaign, ACE Emerging Professionals contributed to the roundtables by bringing a fresh perspective, they developed articles/blogs shared via ACE’s website53 and social media channels on the barriers faced by LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and Ethnic Minority communities and strategies to overcome them.

While contributing to the campaign, ACE Emerging Professionals looked more closely at some of our culture's pillars and how ED&I is being tackled in other industries. They came across a quote in Harvard Business Review54 from Alex Mahon, the Chief Executive Officer of Channel 4, who said:

‘We don't only pursue diversity and inclusion because of the remit, or because it's the right thing to do, we also do it because we know it makes us a better business. We find — delightfully — that it brings us a genuine competitive advantage: We attract and retain people of creative and commercial brilliance through our creative freedoms, and audiences seek out our independent voice and noisy content.’

Key learning from being part of the campaign was that the actions of future leaders matter and will help achieve goals and ED&I targets much faster. ACE Emerging Professionals summarised their findings in a five-point plan to share with the broader audience of future leaders to help build a more inclusive workplace globally.

Recognised Authors

Enhancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Role of Future Leaders in building inclusive workplaces

• Educate yourself. Find ED&I training available at your company or learn more about the ED&I topic to be more confident in promoting an inclusive workplace culture.

• Establish an ED&I committee. The committee will support and direct equality, diversity, and inclusion at the workplace.

• Review workplace policies. Some current policies will need to be updated, or new guidelines will be created, especially around recruitment.

• Promote fresh perspectives. Benefit from people's different backgrounds and generations to gain a unique perspective and embrace this diverse thinking to generate new and more innovative ideas.

• Celebrate diversity. Motivate your colleagues to showcase their culture and traditions in the workplace to make them feel included.

We encourage future leaders within our industry to take on the challenge and showcase a passion for creating more inclusive workplaces. By asking the right questions we can and will challenge current practices and the set level of ambition to retain and attract more diverse talent to our industry. Therefore, future leaders should be part of the conversation at every level: (day-to-day business and strategic) to hold business leaders accountable in achieving their ED&I targets, bring a fresh perspective to the discussion and ensure our voice is heard.

About FIDIC

FIDIC, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, is the global representative body for national associations of consulting engineers and represents over one million engineering professionals and 40,000 firms in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Founded in 1913, FIDIC is charged with promoting and implementing the consulting engineering industry’s strategic goals on behalf of its Member Associations and to disseminate information and resources of interest to its members. Today, FIDIC membership covers over 100 countries of the world.

FIDIC Member Associations operate in over 100 countries with a combined population in excess of 6.5bn people and a combined GDP in excess of $30tn. The global industry, including construction, is estimated to be worth over $22tn. This means that FIDIC member associations across the various countries are worth over $8.5tn.

Disclaimer

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