This article is from the latest Good Investment Review, which you can download free here.
Sarah Norris, Head of ESG Equities at asset managers abrdn, explores how unmet environmental needs in the infrastructure and construction sector can bring exciting opportunities for sustainable investors.
Every year, the World Economic Forum (WEF) publishes a Global Risks Report1 exploring the most severe perceived risks to economies and societies.
In this year’s report, the top four most severe long-term risks relate to environmental issues:
- Extreme weather
- Critical change to earth systems
- Biodiversity and ecosystem collapse
- Natural resource shortages
The report highlights that most economies are unprepared for environmental impacts which could trigger a global shock. Possible implications include extreme weather events, involuntary migration, chronic health conditions, infectious diseases, and wider economic downturn.
The report also underscores the importance of government intervention. Given the scale of possible socioeconomic impact, there is increasing regulatory focus on supporting adaptive and mitigating measures.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts can have the potential to fuel economic development, while also helping to address long-term global risks.
The infrastructure and construction sector is a good example. Demographic shifts and urbanisation are increasing pressure on existing infrastructure and demanding expansion. Yet despite a substantial increase in investment, the UN environment programme estimates that the buildings and construction industry contributes nearly 40 per cent of direct and indirect CO₂ emissions.
Taking advantage of policy changes
In response, the US, Europe and China have all initiated stimulus plans to respond to demand pressures and resilience needs. This represents an opportunity for businesses, and therefore investors, to take advantage of policy changes and support real-world transition efforts while targeting investment returns.
The significant emissions created by infrastructure construction and development, biodiversity considerations, natural resource demands, and other environmental impacts have also attracted increased regulation and stimulus packages.
The need for technical expertise
Against this backdrop, technical expertise on climate change adaptation and mitigation across the development, construction and management stages of an infrastructure investment is essential. Such expertise can support resiliency efforts and generate savings.
One estimate suggests that better management of existing infrastructure could yield savings of up to 15 per cent on infrastructure investments. Raw materials represent up to 60 per cent of total costs for infrastructure assets. Consequently, more resource-efficient practices can effectively lower the costs for development and enhance investment returns.
The significant emissions created by infrastructure construction and development, biodiversity considerations, natural resource demands, and other environmental impacts have also attracted increased regulation and stimulus packages.
Investors are recognising the value of nature-based infrastructure solutions and the companies with the capability to provide them. Not only are such solutions more sustainable, they can also cut costs. Leveraging existing wetlands and reed beds can help treat sewage and wastewater, while looking after forestland can enhance flood protection and reduce soil erosion. And urban green infrastructure can improve air quality, reduce water pollution from natural runoff and even sequester carbon.
Engineering for the environment
One company with an eye for sustainable opportunities is Canadian engineering services firm WSP.The business caters to transportation, infrastructure, building, energy and industrial clients across the world.
WSP offers a variety of professional services throughout all project execution phases, from the initial development and planning studies through to the project and programme management, design, construction management, commissioning and maintenance phases. The business is increasingly focusing on environmental management, helping clients to reduce the environmental impact of their infrastructure projects while also maximising efficiency.
The business is increasingly focusing on environmental management, helping clients to reduce the environmental impact of their infrastructure projects while also maximising efficiency. This includes services that help clients respond to emerging environmental issues like new modes of transport, decarbonisation, air, water and land quality, biodiversity, green energy and climate change. The company also helps clients with risk mitigation and management of impacts related to sustainability, global warming, energy use, resource extraction and the environment.
Marine life example – Køge Bay, Denmark
WSP recently carried out work in Køge Bay, Denmark. The project aimed to restore biodiversity following the removal of an estimated 8 million cubic metres of stones since 1900 for local construction work. WSP helped prepare holistic and ecosystem-based solutions. Seven reefs were constructed to benefit the marine environment. This included stone, concrete, educational, and biogenic reefs as well as artificial fish hotels to support indigenous species and facilitate microalgae filtration. These reefs also supported natural rejuvenation of kelp forests which benefit wider species diversity in marine habitats.
Over the last five years, WSP has spent more than $3 billion (£2.4 billion) to build out its environmental practices. This underlines the company’s commitment to being a partner of choice on climate change and sustainability solutions. It also signals the firm’s recognition of the climate resilience opportunity.
Moreover, WSP’s focus on supporting transition efforts has contributed to exceptional operational delivery. Over the last, the company has delivered consistent organic growth each year, aside from 2020 when the Covid pandemic hit.
Given the pace of change, next year’s WEF Global Risks Report will likely continue to highlight the increasingly negative potential socioeconomic impacts of environmental risks.
However, greater regulatory focus on these issues should be seen not as a cost burden, but as an opportunity to drive efficiency, leverage new technology and achieve material savings. We believe directing capital to businesses that use sustainability as a lens for returns generation opens up very real opportunities for investors.
1 Source: World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2024, 10th January 2024
2 Source: UN environment programme Building Materials And The Climate: Constructing A New Future, September 2023
3 Source: UN Bridging Global Infrastructure Gaps report, June 2016
4 Source: WSP website
Risk warning: Past performance is not a guide to future results. Investment involves risk. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and investors may get back less than the amount invested.
