In an era where climate change is increasingly influencing our daily lives, the role of civil engineers in developing climate-resilient infrastructure has never been more crucial.
Climate-resilient solutions are constructed with longevity and resilience in mind while also integrating sustainable construction practices and technologies into the construction process.
This blog explores the role of civil engineers in ensuring climate-resilient infrastructure targets are achieved.
What is Climate Resilient Infrastructure?
Climate-resilient infrastructure refers to the design, construction, and management of structures that can withstand the adverse impacts of climate change.
It also involves selecting materials and methods that are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient and integrating renewable sources into building processes.
In recent years, the conversation around infrastructure has shifted significantly, with a stronger emphasis on sustainability.
The Civil Engineer’s Role
Sustainable and climate-resilient development has become integrated into global civil and structural engineering practices.
For instance, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) recently helped shape the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI)’s Strategic Plan to establish a global movement focused on sustainable engineering action.
The plan includes:
- Elevating the Engineering Community’s Impact: Addressing climate change and improving infrastructure resilience through the expertise of engineers.
- Driving Systemic Change: Unlocking infrastructure investment and accelerating the delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
- Catalysing Innovation: Leveraging the collective capabilities of engineers worldwide to foster innovative solutions and partnerships.
Civil engineers are key to designing and implementing infrastructure that is efficient, sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change.
This includes careful material selection, innovative design and integrating sustainable technologies into the construction process.
Anaerobic Digestion Technology
Pursuing climate-resilient infrastructure means investing in innovative technologies like anaerobic digestion.
This involves breaking down waste plant and animal materials and converting them to biogas that can be used for energy generation.
There are some 660 operational anaerobic digestion plants in the UK producing the equivalent of over 1,000,000 tons of oil equivalent.
Anaerobic digestion provides a renewable energy source and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with national and international sustainability goals.
Clegg is currently developing eight anaerobic digestion plants, with another two in the pipeline.
These plants are essential for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting circular economic principles.
Beyond Engineering: A Commitment to CSR and Sustainability
The role of civil engineers in infrastructure sustainability is increasing across both the private and public sectors.
Incorporating climate-resilient solutions into infrastructure development is more than an engineering challenge – it’s a commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
As sectors domestically and worldwide aim to meet sustainability targets, civil engineering firms are vital to delivering the expertise required to complete those objectives.
Companies like Clegg are showing how the construction and energy sectors can positively impact the environment and society.
Our sustainability work and projects illustrate how engineering practices support climate-resilient construction.