New ways of thinking are needed to solve the climate crisis

If we are to truly combat the impact of climate change and move towards a more resilient, net zero world, new ways of thinking and better collaboration will prove critical.

Ultimately, how successful we are in achieving our climate goals will be determined by a wide range of factors. New, disruptive technologies have the potential to rapidly accelerate the journey to net zero; infrastructure will play a crucial role in decarbonizing the way we live our lives; policy needs to consistently evolve to meet the ongoing challenges we face; and society must actively participate in driving change.

However, these elements cannot succeed in isolation. Our ultimate goal is to make our towns and cities as sustainable as possible, while also looking ahead to shape a world that is as resilient possible in the face of an unpredictable future climate.

To get there, we must think differently and embrace the often-complex needs of planners, consultants, asset owners, utility and technology providers, as well as the all-import policymakers, activists and wider society, all of whom have a keen interest in making net zero a reality.

Technology, logistics, policy and acceptance

The headlines are often dominated by innovative technologies such as biofuels, carbon capture and green hydrogen. However, the innovations themselves are merely the first step. Perhaps the greater challenge is taking these technologies and implementing them at scale.

For instance, without significant investment in extensive supporting infrastructure, a solar farm is of very little benefit to anybody. What is needed is stringent policy decisions that channel investment into the right infrastructure and ensuring communities themselves are set up for electrification.

Just as critical is the social aspect. Any transition must ultimately make for a healthier, fairer society. Introducing green hydrogen into the energy network, for example, requires extensive public awareness, education and social acceptance, if it is to be effective in replacing well established energy sources such as natural gas.

Meanwhile, much of the debate around decarbonization focusses on the likes of electric vehicles. However, there is no shortage of countries with large remote or rural populations where access to the grid is limited or, in some cases, not feasible. Therefore, it is vital to not take a one-size-fits-all approach. To solve this challenge, it’s vital to bring the right stakeholders to the table to develop solutions that work in different social contexts worldwide. 

In West Africa, Dar, one of Sidara’s leading design and engineering specialists, worked with the Republic of Angola’s Ministry of Energy to create seven photovoltaic power plants to deliver clean, reliable energy to over one million people. The Dar team supported the Ministry in solving complex issues alongside practical considerations. This involved bringing in raw materials to shape fundamental infrastructure, as well as getting on the ground with community leaders to understand the unique challenges facing remote villages across the nation.

A new lease on life for the built environment

Despite so much being said about building new environmentally friendly places and spaces, the fact remains that around three quarters of the buildings and infrastructure that will be with us in 2050 have already been constructed.

Clearly, replacing the world’s entire building stock is impossible, so a much greater emphasis must be put on improving what we already have. This is precisely why Sidara businesses focus considerably on retrofit, and improving the energy performance and sustainable operations of existing buildings. Here, digital technology can play a leading role.

Through using the very latest in performance technology software, Sidara firm CopperTree Analytics recently assisted a prestigious commercial property client in London significantly reduce energy consumption using their building analytics platform, Kaizen.

By harnessing the power of the building’s performance data, the team were able to accurately pinpoint which areas of the HVAC and control systems needed urgent interventions to improve how they operate. This helped the client reduce energy consumption by a sizable margin and dramatically improved the building’s sustainability performance.

Preparing for an era of climate change 

Despite our best efforts today, we must recognize that that impacts of climate change are already with us. As such, when we plan new buildings or adapt existing ones, we must look to the future. This means considering what changing temperatures and heightened rainfall might mean for cities and their ability to withstand an increasingly uncertain climate future.

Specialists from right across Sidara are very much looking to the future in this regard, accounting for the likelihood of one-in-a-hundred-year storm events becoming increasingly common. We are also dedicating resources to designing infrastructure to protect against more extreme weather events brought on by climate change.

Meanwhile, inside the buildings themselves, our designers are increasingly moving away from energy modeling practices based on past temperatures. Instead they are incorporating HVAC systems and passive design principles to optimize energy use today, as well as undertaking more advanced practices, analyzing future temperature projections and designing for a future impacted by climate change.