The UK needs long-term planning and systems thinking to deliver resilient infrastructure of the future, writes Neil Sansbury, managing director for the UK and Ireland at Ramboll
The recent summer heatwave was a stark reminder of the urgent need to embed climate adaptation, green design and nature-based solutions into how we plan our infrastructure and communities.
At a time when UK public finances are under intense pressure and the global geopolitical landscape remains fragile, the government has shown its ambition in placing decarbonisation, resilience and sustainable growth at the heart of its infrastructure agenda. In the space of just a month, three major announcements have set a new direction for how we build more climate-resilient infrastructure.
This is an important time for planners, developers, and policymakers to take stock, align and act. Delivering these commitments will require a whole-systems approach between industry and government that resolves the structural barriers holding back the energy transition, productivity and inclusive economic growth.
Tackling problems at the source
The UK has made significant strides towards decarbonising the electricity grid. Indeed, we are fast approaching the first anniversary of the shuttering of Ratcliffe-on-Soar, the UK’s last coal-fired power station, while the pipeline of renewable energy projects continues to grow at pace. However, given the scale of the change that is underway, progress has not been smooth.
The UK currently has some of the highest industrial energy prices in the world, while grid operators have found themselves in the uncomfortable position of having to pay wind farms not to generate due to a lack of grid capacity.
That is the result of historic pledges, reports and ambitions not being matched with long-term planning and systems thinking, resulting in a system that is lacking resilience.
There have been signs that this is beginning to change. For instance, the lack of grid capacity is in no small part due to the UK’s planning system proving to be an obstacle to construction rather than a resource.
Planning to deliver
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill is intended to change this by streamlining the planning process, helping to get shovels in the ground faster for significant infrastructure projects.
This should help to ensure that government funding, including floating offshore wind, carbon capture and small modular reactors, helps to accelerate the shift towards a cleaner and more secure energy future.
Reducing energy costs should also in turn spur economic growth through increased productivity, helping to reap the rewards of the commitment to spend £4.3bn on advanced manufacturing with a further £600mn earmarked for sector-specific clusters.
Building resilience from the ground up
These ambitions will also depend on skilled workers and secure supply chains. The recent focus on these pieces of the puzzle is welcome, not least the commitment of £1.2bn in funding for training the next generation of skilled workers that was announced in the Spending Review and the prominent positioning of supply chains within the Industrial Strategy.
In short, there is reason to feel confident that we are heading in the right direction.
However, the challenges of the last five years have left little doubt that the UK has a resilience deficit that must be addressed. The Climate Change Committee’s most recent progress report dubbed preparation for the changing climate to be “partial to insufficient”, highlighting the need for local authorities to work closely with developers to embed resilience.
Sustainability demands collaboration
Tackling these challenges will require a whole-systems approach that incorporates all public sector priorities, including affordable housing, quality education, access to healthcare and biodiversity.
The question we should be asking is not just ‘what is the problem that needs addressing?’ but also how we can solve that problem sustainably, because sustainable solutions are the only solutions that will last.
That stretches across power networks, supply chains, training and skills, manufacturing, urban design, and a host of other areas. This will not be an overnight process, nor can we afford to allow the planned reforms to become short-term political tools when what is needed is long-term national renewal. Industry and government – both in Westminster and at the local level – will need to work together.
Delivery defines success
The reality is collaboration is essential if the government’s announcements are to be translated into action. Turning bold plans into real progress is the measure of success. Government and industry must come together with a clarity of purpose because only through consistent, focused delivery can we overcome our challenges and build a truly resilient, sustainable future.
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