How best to influence governments and persuade politicians about the importance of infrastructure and the benefits it brings, was discussed at length in a session at FIDIC’s Global Infrastructure Conference in Geneva this week. Introducing the session, Linda Darr, CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies, made the point that the dynamics have changed over recent years, with the critical need to improve nations’ infrastructure looming larger for governments around the world and rising right to the top of legislators’ agendas.
Illustrating her point, Darr cited the example of the US where there has been a major push on infrastructure with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act, both of which have ushered in a step-change in the nation’s approach to infrastructure - and the consultancy industry. Other countries have also seen governments turn to infrastructure investment as part of their post-Covid rebuilding and economic recovery programmes. More and more, we are seeing that the world can intervene positively and this means that opportunity abounds for our industry, if we only grasp it,” said Darr.
Panellists in the session reflected on the challenges facing the engineering and construction industry in convincing law makers, who don’t always see things the way the industry does and who might have some ‘interesting’ ideas about what it is that the industry actually does!
Increasing politicisation of infrastructure
Helen Davidson, Chief Executive of ACE New Zealand, said: “Around the world, we are seeing significant investments in infrastructure and a greater awareness of the role infrastructure plays in enabling our daily lives and our economies. This creates significant opportunity, but against this, we are also seeing the increasing politicisation of infrastructure. Davidson shared her experiences of the infrastructure sector in New Zealand and highlighted how, with stretched resources, short political cycles and increasingly divisive political approaches, the industry can be savvier with its political engagement.
Davidson highlighted the importance of telling the story of the value that engineering consultants bring to their communities – including from an economic and social sense – using evidence and data, being solutions-focussed and standing out from the crowd and the key importance of partnering to strengthen the industry’s voice. “Our approach is to communicate to government what is needed by using our engineers’ authoritative voice to help shape New Zealand’s future. That voice is one that stands out from the crowd with a hopeful and optimistic lens. Stories are powerful but data is important too,” Davidson said.
Adam Białachowski, CEO of B-ACT and board member of FIDIC, spoke about the importance of being aware of cultural norms in different countries when seeing to influence and advocate as these could influence discussions. He also said that a particular challenge was the changing face of some governments and administrations, especially in countries undergoing crisis. “If we look at Ukraine, you have a lot of different countries, doing a lot of different, bilateral agreements trying to influence what the government is currently doing. Also, Ukraine itself is changing, with new ministerial arrivals with different priorities, it's hard to even address advocacy in Ukraine,” said Białachowski.
Crucial role of FIDIC and its member associations in advocacy process
“FIDIC obviously has a crucial role to play around advocacy and companies working in our industry need to be involved with FIDIC because of the collective view that it puts forward on behalf of our industry. As an individual firm it's really hard to actually gain contact with politicians, but our member associations have that access. So, my message to attendees here at this conference is to get involved and volunteer for FIDIC and your local member association. It is a great opportunity to grow the consulting business sector in your countries because it gives you a mandate to speak with politicians, not as a representative of your firm, but as a representative of the entire industry,” he said.
Inés Ferguson, business development director at TYPSA in Spain and also president of the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA), gave an update on the European Union’s priorities and main areas of investment, following the elections in June. She explained the entry points with European institutions, how EFCA is influencing the policies and investment instruments affecting the consulting engineering industry in Europe and showed how EFCA’s work can improve the market opportunities and conditions for firms.
As an area where EFCA had been actively engaging politicians, Ferguson highlighted the Green Deal, a highly ambitious agenda, which is aimed at Europe becoming the first carbon neutral continent by 2050. Following Covid, substantial European funding was given to member states to carry out a digital and green transition of their economies and this was creating opportunities for the consultancy sector, said Ferguson. She also said that in her view, the recent European elections won’t change that aim, though there might be some adjustments in the timelines or in the level of ambition. “Overall, we're going to continue in this green and digital path in in the Investments ahead. So that means that we're going to be seeing investments in less carbon intensive transport like railways, ports and waterways and of course in the energy transition and renewable energy like solar wind,” Ferguson said.
Plural voice can open up entry points to politicians
“As a European federation, EFCA is a really aligning force. We realise that we are a small player and consultants are part of a very large value chain, but we're highly strategic. So even though we’re small, we really try to find the entry points. With politicians that makes us relevant and we have to be very smart about that,” she said. Examples of recent EFCA advocacy included on digital transition and regulation, decarbonising construction and transport. “Everybody in the room was acknowledging designers and engineers are crucial. After all, they are the only ones that can really decarbonise the sector,” she said.
Gary Raba, chief growth officer at Raba Kistner and chair of the American Council of Engineering Companies, was keen to stress the importance of “plural voices are better than one voice when seeking to influence politicians”. Highlighting the centrality of the political environment in which the industry operates, he pointed out that “good public policy supports good government and our industry can help to support an effective public policy approach”. Looking at infrastructure investment, Raba also highlighted the need for investment in people, training, jobs and growth. “It’s all about people. And don’t forget to stress the social benefits that come from good infrastructure, especially in the public sphere,” Raba said.
Timothy Murphy, executive vice president and chief strategic affairs officer at AECON, offered his perspectives from the standpoint of someone who used to work in the political scene for more than three decades as a government advisor. He spoke about the five key areas to be mindful of when speaking to government. “Ask yourself these five things about the issue you’re speaking to politicians about. Where is the money coming from? Does what you are proposing deliver to voters in an area? How does what you are proposing align with what the politician is doing? Is there a crisis or a challenge that you can help with? What does civil society think about your project? Get the answers to those and then you are in with a chance,” said Murphy.
Jean-Pierre Reymond, executive director at 2050Today in Switzerland, spotlighted the need to maintain and develop sustainable infrastructure as a key opportunity for the engineering sector when talking with politicians. “Due to the climate and environmental crisis, it is imperative to design and implement infrastructures that meet long-term needs within planetary boundaries. This requires collective choices and presents the real price of infrastructure,” he said. Reymond argued for a truly global assessment of the environmental and social impact of infrastructure and firmly advocated for the voice of people to be heard in the infrastructure development and planning process, telling his audience that there was nothing to be feared from that, especially when the engineering industry had within its grasp many of the answers to the world’s sustainability problems.
The panel discussion and questions from attendees on this important issue could have gone on for a lot longer, highlighting once again the keen interest of FIDIC’s members and stakeholders in this crucial area.
