Embodied Ecological Impacts: The Hidden Environmental Cost of Infrastructure
After Kiran Pereira presented to Ramboll on the ecological impacts of sand production the other week, I've been reflecting on the growing importance of considering ecological impacts in infrastructure development, particularly as we balance the UK's infrastructure needs with our environmental responsibilities. While embodied carbon often dominates sustainability discussions, the broader ecological implications of our built environment frequently remain underexplored. Though it was great to see over 500 companies become “TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) Adaptors” at COP16.
With increasing pressure to deliver infrastructure projects more efficiently while meeting Net Zero targets, we must also consider our impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. The construction industry accounts for 60% of all materials used in the UK, and our material choices have far-reaching consequences beyond just carbon emissions.
One often-overlooked aspect is the impact of material extraction. Sand, essential for concrete production, represents a critical challenge. The UN estimates that 40-50 billion tonnes of sand are extracted globally each year, leading to significant ecological disruption. This highlights why we need to think beyond just carbon when considering sustainability.
Regenerative Approach
To address these challenges, we're implementing several approaches across our projects:
Biodiversity-sensitive design: Incorporating green corridors and native species into infrastructure projects.
Material innovation: Working with suppliers to source materials with lower ecological impacts. Though to be frank to this point carbon and price have been the key drivers.
Digital tools: Such as Ramboll’s Galago allows us to use advanced modelling to optimise design and reduce material usage, while also minimising impacts on the local environment by optimising site locations.
Circular economy principles: Maximising the reuse of materials and minimising waste.
Ramboll Galago Drone
At Ramboll, we've seen how early consideration of ecological impacts can lead to better outcomes. On a recent port project, the team was tasked with creating a new deepwater berth, including a new quay wall. While the design originally had a steel wall, we were able to change the design and reuse the existing rock armour, minimising materials and improving biodiversity colonisation.
Additionally, Ramboll worked with a local quarry to secure almost 400,000 tonnes of waste material of no value to the quarry for backfill, eliminating the need to dredge the equivalent of sand.
Looking ahead, I believe we need to transform how we approach infrastructure development. This means:
Considering ecological impacts from the earliest design stages. Both at a site level and where your materials will be coming from within the whole supply chain.
Implementing better monitoring and measurement of biodiversity impacts. Which is now being driven at a regulatory level with BNG for planning applications. However, BNG does not apply to supply chains and permitted development.
Developing innovative solutions that protect and enhance local ecosystems. Even minor solutions on a broad scale would have an impact.
Collaborating across the industry to share best practices. Negative biodiversity impacts affects us all, checkout Brogan MacDonalds post on Lough Neagh: https://shorturl.at/tWoQF
At Ramboll, we're committed to leading this transformation. If you're interested in discussing how we can better address ecological impacts in infrastructure projects, please get in touch! But also, is there any other overlooked aspects of infrastructure development on our environment or other ways to transform it?