ROUND TABLE 2009
Sponsored by
A partner for a promising future
Successfully adapting to climate change will require strong, innovative partnerships between
government, industry, national and regional agencies, and the public
I
t is through such partnerships that we
can begin to accurately assess CO
2
emissions and seek ways to reduce
them – by increased use of renewable
energy sources, for example. Sustainable
water planning will become a necessity as
changing rainfall patterns have the dual
impacts of reducing water supplies,
especially during summer; while more
severe storms and rising sea levels increase
the risk of flooding. Sustainable water
planning is only possible through
stakeholders acting together.
For the organisations leading these
partnerships – water companies, Defra, the
Environment Agency, local authorities, BERR,
Ofwat, Carbon Trust – engineering,
consulting and construction company Black
& Veatch is proving a partner of choice.
Where there is a need to accurately assess
CO
2
emissions, Black & Veatch is helping by
providing carbon footprinting services. By
applying innovative technologies to harness
renewable energy sources, and researching
alternative carbon abatement methods, we
are offering ways to cut emissions.
In regions where water scarcity is, or is
likely to become, an issue, Black & Veatch is
working with stakeholders to develop
strategies and assets to manage supply and
demand over the long-term. In the face of
uncertainty, we help provide the methods
and means to turn existing and potential
water sources into sustainable supplies. companies, as well as government and Partners. Expansion in Europe continued a
Black & Veatch is making a difference to industrial clients in the UK, Europe and year later with the acquisition of contractor
communities at risk of flooding through Middle East. The ability to combine our Paterson Candy.
threat assessments and effective river and capabilities puts us in a unique position: Black & Veatch’s European consultancy
coastal management programmes. In the largest integrated consulting, design capacity was increased further in 2003 when
addition, we are helping adapt drainage and construction company in the markets the company bought Lewin, Fryer & Partners.
systems to cope with the demands they we serve. The size and construction capability of Black
now face. As part of a global business, Black & & Veatch in Europe increased significantly in
Black & Veatch Water Europe provides Veatch Water Europe is sharing with our UK October 2006 with the acquisition of MJ
asset and environmental planning, design, partners strategies that have helped clients Gleeson’s water business. Black & Veatch
construction and operational improvement in other parts of the world successfully adapt employs more than 9,600 professionals
services. We work with all of the UK’s water to climate change. Our approaches to water globally, with close to 1,800 currently
scarcity, for instance, differ significantly as we working in the UK. ■■■
“The largest integrated
seek responses most suited to areas as
diverse as Hong Kong, USA and Australia.
consulting, design and
The company was founded in 1915 by Black & Veatch Ltd,
EB Black and NT Veatch in Kansas City, Grosvenor House, 69 London Road,
construction company in
Missouri, USA. In 1995, Black & Veatch Redhill, Surrey RH1 1LQ.
established itself in the UK and Europe T: 01737 774155
the markets we serve” when it joined with consultancy Binnie & E: bvl@bv.com, web: www.bv.com
June 2009 Round Table 23