The key issue of decarbonisation and net zero was discussed by delegates at the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference in Geneva at a brief session examining carbon management within the infrastructure sector. The session, chaired by Bill Cox, CEO of Aurecon, who is also the chair of FIDIC’s Global Leadership Forum (GLF) Advisory Board, spotlighted the FIDIC Carbon Collaboration Initiative, which has been developed and led by the GLF.
In April 2024, the Carbon Collaboration Initiative was launched during the Global Leadership Forum Summit in Geneva. The initiative aims to foster global partnerships for carbon management in infrastructure, setting the stage for more comprehensive and integrated approaches to carbon management and reduction. Speakers in the session explained the background to the initiative and looked at how FIDIC could ensure that it will make a real difference in the industry.
As part of the initiative, a new Carbon Management Framework is being developed which can be used by anyone to help build up their knowledge around carbon management at a project level and the aim is for this to receive wide adoption across the industry.
Addressing delegates in Geneva, Jens Peter Saul, CEO of Ramboll (pictured above), who has played a key role, with others, in the development of the initiative, highlighted the need for the initiative, explained why the Global Leadership Forum had taken it up and outlined some of the ongoing discussions and the pledges made on it at the recent FIDIC GLF Summit event. “With the framework, we want to set a standard for carbon measurement and achieve alignment, as then we can go to investors and clients to get them to sign up to it,” said Saul, who also stressed the need for a realistic approach which recognised the different starting points of organisations on the issue.
“Infrastructure is responsible for over 70% of carbon emissions globally. So, the engineering and consulting industry has the responsibility and opportunity of helping to significantly reduce this impact, but up to now there is now collective understanding of a good standard in carbon management when planing and engineering infrastructure,” Saul said. “Often it is not part of the process. Many clients and institutions globally require guidance on how to move towards low carbon infrastructure.
If climate change were a pandemic, we would quickly come together and share best practice, knowledge, and data of how to overcome the virus. But climate change is even more serious, so we need to act now. Through the FIDIC Carbon Management Framework, the ambition is to help stakeholders around the world – engineers, construction firms, financial institutions and governments – to build affordable low carbon infrastructure by providing guidance and knowledge,” Saul said.
Former CEO of Mott MacDonald in the UK, Mike Haigh, another key player in developing the initiative, stressed the need for the Carbon Management Framework not to become ‘just another initiative’ that sits on a shelf and is ignored. “Words are fine, but we also need to see the proof of the framework actually being used because that will be the test. We have to do something, but we are not doing it yet, however the reality is that by next year we could be doing something. This unique initiative has the potential to accelerate the adoption carbon management on projects globally. Without this we cannot achieve whole life carbon becoming core to a projects outcomes which is critical if we are to address the climate emergency,” said Hagh.
From Kenya, James Mwangi, CEO of Kurrent Technologies and vice president of FIDIC, highlighted the FIDIC board’s support for the Carbon Management Framework and also stressed some of the differences in carbon management emphasis as they relate to the developing world. “The FIDIC board was delighted to see this work undertaken and the outputs from it which we think will have a significant impact on our industry and in assisting global efforts to reduce carbon in our industry. The work that has been undertaken by Jens, Mike and their colleagues has taken a structured approach to integrating sustainability in project planning and execution and the result is something that will make a real difference to the way that carbon emissions are managed and monitored in our industry,” he said.
Mwangi was also keen to say a few words about decarbonisation in the context of the developing world. “In this part of the world, we don’t talk so much about decarbonisation, for a number of reasons. Firstly, economic development priorities. Countries in the developing world are grappling with limited budgets and we have the concept of ‘Growth Over Green’, where countries often prioritise economic growth, poverty reduction, and improving living standards over environmental concerns,” he said.
Decarbonisation in the developing world can be hindered by a complex mix of economic, financial, technological, institutional, and social challenges. Mwangi said that addressing these barriers required coordinated global support, including financial assistance, technology transfer and capacity building, to enable these countries to pursue sustainable development pathways.
Commenting on the initiative, Basma Eissa, head of policy, ESG and sustainability at FIDIC, said: “At FIDIC, we recognise that infrastructure is at the heart of the global carbon challenge, contributing to over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. Our Carbon Collaboration Initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to lead the way in driving down carbon footprints in infrastructure projects around the world. With our unique ability to bring together diverse stakeholders, including engineers, developers, and financial institutions, we aim to foster global collaboration on adopting sustainable practices. This initiative is crucial as we move toward a low-carbon future, enabling our members to leverage best practices, benchmark progress, and achieve tangible reductions in emissions through whole-life carbon management.”
Closing the session, the audience was asked in an online poll to say whether they would be willing to sign up to the new framework or get involved with its development. More than two-thirds of the packed conference room indicated their positive support for the initiative, which certainly bodes well for its future development and implementation.
