Lifting the environment

The Middle East has been a thriving construction market for many years with their construction projects, and according to the International Construction Market Survey 2018, that activity looks set to continue despite some economic uncertainty in the region. Large-scale projects, such as the $8.7bn being spent on the World Expo 2020 in the UAE, the new $3.5bn terminal at Abu Dhabi airport, and the billions being invested in Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup, mean that constructors in the region are busier than ever.

The right approach

With so much building going on, it is refreshing to see Multiplex Middle East, a leading construction company in the region, joining an international coalition of businesses working to fight climate change. The company has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative, a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the Worldwide Fund for Nature. This commitment means that the company’s energy use and greenhouse emissions will be monitored to ensure that they remain within the latest climate science recommendations.

Good business

Environmental awareness is not just good for the planet, it is good for business too. As Multiplex Middle East general manager, James Grljusich, explained: “Developing science-based targets will drive efficiencies, strengthen our relationships with key stakeholders and supply chain and support carbon reduction strategies in a region of major construction projects.”

Construction companies can play their part in joining the fight against climate change on several fronts. Changes can be made within operations, vehicles and lifting equipment to make it as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. At LGH, we have seen an increase in renewable energy projects, both on and offshore and together with the energy sector, we are helping to build the clean energy infrastructure of tomorrow.

Only by working together, with shared environmental goals, can we achieve the changes necessary to protect our planet both now and in the future.