With a host of new pledges affecting transport, energy and infrastructure, COP26 could create some major ripples in the construction sector.

Headline moments included the government reaffirming its commitment to phasing out the sale of fossil fuel cars by 2030 – with a new electrical vehicle chargepoint design unveiled – and the pledge for all HGVs sold in the UK to be zero emissions by 2040.

Meanwhile, energy day featured a commitment to phase out – or reduce down – coal power, with a new “Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement” also committing to scaling up clean power.
But what needs to happen next?

Going forward, Civil Engineering Contractors Association chief executive Alasdair Reisner emphasised the importance of infrastructure in the drive to net zero.

“Infrastructure can play a leading role in helping us achieve our carbon ambitions whether that is through investment in renewable energy, installation of networks for low carbon vehicles, or the boosting of low carbon public transport options,” he said.

However, in terms of the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars, Association of Consultancy and Engineering director of policy Matthew Farrow emphasised that the “devil is in the detail”.

He explained: “The countries with the three biggest automobile markets have not signed the pledge to phase out petrol/diesel cars – but there are some clear trends that will impact the sector.

“The scaling up of EVs required to deliver the phase out pledge will put pressure on the expertise and supply chains involved in rolling out charging infrastructure – the key will be increasing this over the decade and not back-loading to the 2030s.”

Farrow added that it is “disappointing not see more around public and active travel”, which he described as “fundamental” to net zero progress.

“Urban areas around the world need not only pledges for electric vehicles, but investments in buses, light-rail, rail, bicycle hire schemes, as well as dedicated infrastructure for walking and cycling,” he said.
“Engineering consultancies are ideally placed to provide support and have the cross sector experience to develop effective and holistic transport strategies for cities, no matter where they are based.”
Farrow also welcomed the clean energy pledges but stressed that they “place a premium on the systems thinking needed to plan and manage energy systems that mix renewable and nuclear generation with widespread electrification and sometimes hydrogen networks”.

He added: “The UK is in the frontline of tackling these challenges and our experiences mean we are ideally placed to support and advise others.”

Overall, Reisner said that the global agreements on carbon reduction emerging from COP26 will start to influence “all aspects” of the industry.

He said: “However I think we all recognise that what is important now is turning words on a page into actions across the economy. That is why we think it is important that industry continues to work together, sharing knowledge and jointly investing in innovation in technologies that will help reduce the carbon intensity of industry.”

ICE director of engineering knowledge Mark Hansford added: “Meeting the challenge of the climate emergency is something that we all, as individuals and professionals, must play a part of.

“Our sector has a responsibility to help public and private sector clients to meet the targets that are set, at organisational, regional and national levels. This inevitably involves challenging traditional solutions and methodologies to find new ways to offer lower-carbon solutions.

“In our recent State of the Nation report, we call on engineers to treat the climate challenge like the emergency it is, to refuse business as usual and keep carbon reduction on every project agenda. It is encouraging to see so many players in the industry stepping up to try new solutions to help build a more sustainable future.”

Credits: https://www.newcivilengineer.com