Engineering Action: Quarterly Update
International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI)
Our mission is to make resilience and sustainability key to every decision in the infrastructure lifecycle
It has been a dynamic few months at ICSI, marked by collaborations, forward-looking projects, and pivotal discussions. As we progress through the latter half of the year, I’m thrilled to share updates on the exciting initiatives and insights from our ongoing work.
In August, we launched a Foresight Review into Nature-positive Engineering (NPE), in partnership with Lloyd's Register Foundation . We're now looking for experts to contribute research, evidence and case studies of NPE in action. Have you got expertise to share? Contribute to this call for input here.
We are also proud to unveil our new paper, Understanding the Landscape of Global Engineering Capacity and Capability. This comprehensive report highlights the urgent need to build a skilled engineering workforce capable of planning, constructing, and managing infrastructure that aligns with global sustainability goals.?
On the global stage, we are pleased to have co-authored the T20 Policy Brief, ‘Accelerating Risk-Informed Investments in Climate-Resilient Urban Infrastructure,’ presented at T20 Brasil . The brief outlines a structured approach to scaling up investments in resilient urban infrastructure, supporting sustainable development through better risk assessment and decision-making.
Looking ahead to key events like COP29 in Baku, we are eager to continue driving critical conversations on nature-positive engineering, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development. Thank you for being part of this journey with us - happy reading!
Executive Director, International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI)
PROJECT LAUNCH
Becoming Nature-Positive: Transforming Traditional Approaches to Engineering
In August, we launched a Foresight Review into Nature-positive Engineering (NPE) in the maritime sector together with Lloyd's Register Foundation . This project aims to reimagine traditional engineering approaches, aligning them with ecological principles to foster resilience against climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The review will focus on offshore renewable energy, coastal protection, and port development, with an emphasis on inclusivity, knowledge exchange, and scaling best practices. The foresight review will include interviews with key experts, desk-based research, and a call for input (see below), as well as regional roundtable discussions in Nairobi, Rio, Brussels, Singapore, and London.?
In our latest blog, Savina Carluccio discusses why NPE is critical for meeting the needs of a changing climate.?
At a time when climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are becoming increasingly severe, the need for solutions that uplift nature has never been greater.
?? CALL FOR INPUT
Experts needed! As part of this Foresight Review, we are seeking research, evidence and case studies of NPE in action.
We're requesting:
? Do you have something to contribute? Complete the call for input here.?
NEW REPORT: Understanding the Landscape of Global Engineering Capacity and Capability.
We are proud to launch our new position paper on Understanding the Landscape of Global Engineering Capacity and Capability.
The paper:
ICSI Elevates Resilience in the Port Sector?
In July, ICSI was delighted to welcome Dr Darshana Godaliyadde to the team as Director of the Resilience4Ports (R4P) programme. R4P is a multi-stakeholder, whole-system initiative in the global maritime sector that seeks to enhance the resilience of ports and the communities that depend on them. The R4P programme is led by the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) and supported by core partners Arup, the High-Level Climate Champions Team and Lloyd's Register Foundation.
The programme will bring together essential partners to develop, pilot, and scale solutions that will serve as the focus for a vibrant and engaging network dedicated to improving the resilience of the global port ecosystem.
In September, Resilience4Ports was brought to Baku Climate Action Week, where Dr Godaliyadde spoke at a session on sustainable cities alongside an expert panel moderated by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) ’s Anna Soave , discussing the latest advancements in decarbonisation and resilience in the construction industry and large infrastructure projects like ports and airports.
?? Want to get involved? Policymakers, engineers, businesses, financiers, and infrastructure owners and operators are invited to join this deeply collaborative programme. Get in touch for more info!
T20 Policy Brief: ‘Accelerating Risk-Informed Investments in Climate-Resilient Urban Infrastructure: A Framework-based Approach’
ICSI is proud to have co-authored the T20 Policy Brief: Accelerating Risk-Informed Investments in Climate-Resilient Urban Infrastructure: A Framework-based Approach recently launched by T20 Brasil .
The Policy Brief includes recommendations on:
Many thanks to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) for leading the development of this brief and to other authors from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) , Aga Khan Development Network and the Engineering Leadership Group.
领英推荐
Recent events
#ClimateTalks Podcast
Savina Carluccio joined the University of Melbourne #ClimateTalks podcast with hosts Associate Professor Cathy Oke and Benjamin Jance IV Head of Research and Innovation at Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) to explore the enduring need for finance to catalyse climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban environments.
The podcast features guest speakers: Joanna Masic Program Leader Planet, Infrastructure, Digital at The World Bank Group and Georges Youssef, Mayor of the municipality of Menjez in Morocco.
Innovate4Cities
In September, we were delighted to co-host a number of events at the #Innovate4Cities conference in Montréal alongside various collaborators.?
Adaptation Finance Roundtable: A dialogue between engineers and policymakers
Our headline event of the week was a roundtable on Scaling up Adaptation Finance: A Dialogue between Engineers and Policymakers, part of a series of roundtable discussions to address the critical task of scaling up adaptation finance in infrastructure. The event was kindly sponsored by Mott MacDonald and 波士顿谘询公司 , organised by ICSI, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) , and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) . Leaders from both the engineering and policymaking fields gathered to explore how to bridge communication gaps, engage communities, and create financial models that attract investment for adaptation projects. The disconnect between engineers and policymakers was highlighted, emphasising the need for clear communication of shared values and integration of technical and social goals to enhance decision-making in urban planning and infrastructure projects.
Nature-positive Engineering?
Our first session of the week, Nature-positive Engineering: Protecting, Restoring, and Harnessing Nature for Urban Wellbeing featured ICSI’s Savina Carluccio and Katie Momber as well as Sophie Bérard and Nancy Meilleur from Ville de Montréal . The session explored the emerging thinking around NPE in cities, its role in protecting communities, particularly in coastal areas, as well as how it may be implemented at a city scale and its role in advancing ecosystem-based adaptation and resilience in an urban environment.?
Digital Technology for Climate Action and Inclusivity in Cities?
An interactive panel discussion on Harnessing Digital Technology to Accelerate Climate Action and Inclusivity in Urban Infrastructure, engaged with Mayor Carolina Basualdo of the City of Despe?aderos, Rodrigo Fernandes from Bentley Systems , Mir Abolfazl Mostafavi from the Université Laval , and August Posch from 美国东北大学 . This panel explored the impact of digitalisation and AI on the resilience and sustainability of urban infrastructure, with a focus on social transformation and community resilience. We discussed how emerging technologies can be leveraged for inclusive climate action in the built environment while fostering people-centred outcomes.?
Finance for City Climate Action?
Savina Carluccio also took part in a plenary session hosted by Andy Deacon from the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) . The session, ‘Raising, Accessing and Finding Finance to Implement City Climate Action’, focused on the knowledge needed to close the climate finance gap for climate adaptation and resilience in cities. It addressed requirements for tackling barriers and developing investment opportunities, increasing climate finance flows and cultivating an enabling environment towards climate-resilient development. Other panelists included: Maria Camila Uribe from the Inter-American Development Bank , Marie-Josée Parent from Raven Capital Investment Partners, Sohaib Athar from the The World Bank Group , and Tadashi Matsumoto from OECD - OCDE .?
Climate Week NYC
Adaptation Finance Roundtable: A dialogue between engineers and investors
At New York Climate Week 2024, ICSI, in collaboration with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) , convened a roundtable discussion between leaders from the engineering and investing sectors. This was the third event in our roundtable series aimed at advancing the dialogue on scaling up adaptation finance in infrastructure. The roundtable, held on Wednesday, September 25th, was kindly sponsored by 波士顿谘询公司 and Mott MacDonald , and hosted by BCG.
A key theme explored in the discussion was the need for cross-sector collaboration to de-risk climate finance and drive meaningful change, and how engineers and investors can better align to understand and support each other’s role. The discussion spanned the need for standardised frameworks for adaptation finance and consistency of data, the need to de-risk projects to attract investment, and the need to reform insurance models and drive capacity-building for resilience.?
Is Our Global Engineering Workforce Fit for the Future??
Our new paper on Understanding the Landscape of Global Engineering Capacity and Capability was launched at a panel session during #ClimateWeekNYC. The event, hosted by The COP Resilience Hub and kindly supported by the Berger Charitable Foundation, brought together thought leaders from across engineering and academia, to tackle one of the most pressing global challenges: the critical shortage of engineering talent needed to build a more sustainable and resilient future. Many thanks to our speakers: Sofia Berger, Chris Bradshaw, Marsia "Marsie" Geldert-Murphey, P.E., F.ASCE, Victoria Matthew and Daniel A. Zarrilli, P.E..
Upcoming events
COP29
We are looking forward to our presence at COP29 Azerbaijan in November, with a busy programme lined up. If you’ll be in Baku, please do join us at the below events that ICSI is co-hosted with partners:
Webinar: DRI Dialogue Series
Strengthening Systemic Resilience through NbIS
This is the third webinar in Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure ’s DRI Dialogue series on Capturing the Resilience Dividend. It will bring together engineers and nature experts to discuss how Nature-based Infrastructure Solutions (NbIS) enhance resilience to climate change, presenting real-world examples of cost-effective solutions that outperform traditional grey infrastructure in sustainability and community resilience.
?? 3 December 2024. Keep an eye out for registration details.