Atkins presents "moral case for climate of change" in FT - 23 July 2009
Atkins’ Carbon Critical Design journey is centre-stage in today’s Financial Times, with chief executive Keith Clarke spelling out why the engineering sector has to raise its game in working out ways of adapting to a low carbon economy.
In an article where the journalist, David Fickling, compared the challenge facing the engineering sector as akin to the Industrial Revolution, Keith said:
“This decarbonising of the economy is going to be a massive threat to some parts of our industry. This is like the moment when chip manufacturers started to replace valves: some companies will thrive and some will not cope.”
He was speaking following the publication of the government’s low carbon strategic white paper last week. And his thoughts were echoed by Nigel Meir, a fund manager at Ludgate Environmental Fund who said that although green interest in the construction industry had been picking up it was still “not well advanced”.
With the government bound by law to cut carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 (against 1990 levels) it is seen as essential for the engineering and construction sectors to change methods of working radically. According to the Green Building Council at least 40% of the UK’s emissions come from heating and running buildings, with a further 5% from the activities of the construction sector itself.
Keith went on to talk about the other powerful elements of the carbon critical argument - that of the “moral imperative”. He said it would lead a “revolutionary change in our society”, one that is presenting a “staggering opportunity” for the economy.
“It won’t be comfortable”, Keith said. “But it is extremely exciting to think about a change that has so many unpredictable effects. Intellectually it’s about as exciting as it gets.”
The challenge for chief executives like himself was in some ways about guessing the future, according to Keith. He said dynamic change was clearly coming to the market place, and many of Atkins’ clients face having to comply with carbon budgets, perhaps within five years. It was now a time for companies to challenge themselves to find solutions – not as an add-on to the day job but as something that was part of their DNA.
Journalist, David Fickling, agreed Atkins was practising what it preached by funding a chair in sustainability at the British University in Dubai, engaging on an internal carbon critical training drive, and investing in new design tools.
He went on to mention Atkins’ internal target to cut its own carbon footprint by 12.5% in the next 12-18 months.
To read the article in full, go to: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0873d144-7721-11de-b23c-00144feabdc0.html
Ends
For more information:
Ben Thompson
Head of PR Tel: 01372 752154
ben.thompson@atkinsglobal.com
Notes to editors:
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is one of the world's leading engineering and design consultancies. We have the depth and breadth of technical expertise to respond both to the complex challenges of major infrastructure projects, and the urgent transition to a low-carbon economy. Whether it’s the concept for a new skyscraper, the upgrade of a rail network, the modelling of a flood defence system or the improvement of a management process, we plan, design and enable solutions.
Recent projects include:
• Major infrastructure works, such as the design and programme management of the civil works for the Dubai Metro red and green lines;
• High profile transport planning and urban design – a scheme to deliver a diagonal crossing at London’s Oxford Circus will help solve the problem of pedestrian crowding;
• Key rail projects – helping improve train times on the West Coast Main Line through the design, installation, testing and commissioning of new signalling at Rugby and Nuneaton;
• Multidisciplinary building design – North Road Primary School in Darlington is an exemplar project which raises standards for environmental design and community engagement;
• Vital water and environmental projects – as part of a joint venture, Atkins is providing technical assistance to the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme in Nigeria, which will benefit up to three million people.
Atkins was named among the 20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2009 by The Sunday Times; The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2008; and The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2008. The company was construction sector winner for the third consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008.
Atkins is the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.