FEATURE : REGIONAL MARKETS
future is at risk due to global warming and climate change , primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions . A recent International Energy Agency , IEA report advises that the path to net zero is narrowing , requiring greater ambition and implementation , with stronger international cooperation to turn things around .
Economic growth linked to increasing urban populations and associated traffic congestion has led to numerous passenger transit investments .
In addition to aiding the growth of the economy , there are innumerable benefits to the environment .
Andrew Bevan , Digital Urbanism Lead ,
Parsons EMEA
In 2024 , we will see new practices implemented in an effort to get us back on track , specifically , on carbon capture and storage , CCS . According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute , increasing the storage and recycling of CO 2 are critical imperatives to stabilise the climate for continued human development .
CSS involves the capture of carbon dioxide , CO 2 emissions from industrial processes , such as steel and cement production , or from burning fossil fuels in power generation . The carbon is transported from the point of production , via ship or pipeline and stored deep underground in geological formations to prevent it from returning to the ground surface or seabed .
Within the industry , some power plants have already implemented CCS strategies . For example , an ethanol plant in the US is recycling CO 2 to produce algae , processing it into livestock feed , biofuels , and food and nutritional supplements . The programme has succeeded , and the utility plans to install the technology at all nine ethanol refineries .
The success of these progressive CCS programmes relies on a unified cloud platform , capable project management , and technology that precisely tracks ESG objectives in real time to meet carbon reduction goals .
Heavy engineering
Mass transit is inherently the most sustainable form of transport given the carbon impact is much less compared to road and air travel , be it metro or rail , high-speed respectively .
Rail transportation of goods has a similarly massive impact on carbon reduction by taking heavy goods vehicles off the road .
The success of Dubai passenger operation and ridership has set a precedent in the region . Looking forward , high-speed is the next big passenger opportunity to build connectivity between cities and to complement the metro services within cities .
As innovative infrastructure projects continue to transform the Middle East into an international destination , airport asset owners and operators are looking for opportunities to improve efficiency , throughput , and sustainability not just on the airside runways , aprons , taxi ways , but also on landside such as terminals and supporting infrastructure .
Parsons adopted a comprehensive approach to deliver sustainable infrastructure , improve operations , and enhance the traveller experience , from technology-driven solutions to PMC practices . With this approach , airports can minimise the environmental impact while ensuring continued growth and development .
Parsons is integrating , streamlining , and scaling artificial intelligence , AI and 360-degree imagery on nearly 30 deployments , including mega- and gigaprojects , across the Middle East .
Working with SEKTOR . build , the company is leveraging the OpenSpace . ai platform for this initiative , combining the latest in technology with advanced construction supervision technologies to improve efficiency throughout the project lifecycle .
The engineering sector is undergoing a transformative revolution led by artificial intelligence .
Parsons distinguishes its projects through proficiency in implementing technologies , fostering a smooth integration of AI and introducing an era of efficiencies and capabilities .
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