In the process of building a sustainable future, the importance of innovation and intellectual property for the construction industry is according to HGF Ltd – Jennifer Unsworth of paramount importance. Why? Let us see.
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Building a sustainable future: the importance of innovation and intellectual property for the construction industry
Like many industries, the construction industry faces huge challenges as it works toward achieving the ambitious target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Whilst already adhering to stringent environmental standards to minimise its ecological impact, construction activities still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, as well as the depletion of natural resources. The construction sector is particularly well-known for its contribution to global carbon emissions, both directly from construction processes and indirectly through the production and transportation of materials.
Organisations in the construction sector are working hard to develop innovative technologies, including modular construction and sustainable materials, in an attempt to meet evolving environmental standards and to reduce the ecological impact of construction projects.
Sustainable materials encompass a wide array of products, ranging from recycled aggregates and reclaimed wood to innovative biodegradable composites and low-carbon concrete. These materials offer not only environmental benefits but also opportunities for differentiation and innovation within the competitive construction sector.
The role of intellectual property rights (IP rights) in shaping the use and development of sustainable materials by and for the construction industry cannot be overstated.
Protecting one’s own IP rights is essential for protecting investments in research and development. Whether it be a novel construction technique, a proprietary blend of eco-friendly materials, or a unique design solution, securing patents, registered designs and trademarks can provide a competitive advantage, mitigate the risk of imitation by competitors, as well as help attract investment and development partners.
Understanding the IP landscape is also important for companies seeking to leverage sustainable materials in their projects. IP due diligence, conducted with the support of IP firms, will enable construction organisations to identify existing technologies and designs. Awareness of competitors’ patents, registered designs, trademarks, and other IP rights can inform strategic decisions and reduce infringement risks for businesses.
There is no doubt that IP also plays a pivotal role in facilitating collaborations and partnerships within the construction ecosystem. By licensing protected technologies or entering into joint ventures, companies can access cutting-edge sustainable materials developed by others, accelerating their adoption and integration into projects.
Collaborative efforts between industry players, policymakers, as well as IP experts, are essential to navigate this evolving landscape and unlock the full potential of sustainable materials in construction.
Ultimately, sustainable materials represent a promising avenue for driving positive change in the construction industry. However, the effective use and development of these technologies requires a solid understanding of IP rights. By staying informed about competitors’ IP rights, protecting their innovations, and embracing responsible collaboration, organisations in the construction industry can position themselves for success in a sustainable future.
In The Peninsula Views/Opinion, Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata Tackling environmental challenges through evidence-based policy solutions. Let us see which ones.
Tackling environmental challenges through evidence-based policy solutions
Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata
6 March 2024
Preoccupations regarding the continued deterioration of the world’s environment are a significant focus of our times. Scientists, politicians, influencers and actors express concern, but often without hard data to support their opinions. To some, human civilization is inevitably destined to oblivion, however our generation is the most prosperous in human history. To quote J. Robert Oppenheimer: “The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears it is true.” But where does the truth lie? Here, I present the two sides of the same coin.
Scientists at the Stockholm Resilience Center in Sweden, an international organization dedicated to transdisciplinary research on the governance of social-ecological systems, have defined and monitored our “planetary boundaries” for several years. These boundaries refer to the physical and ecological limits beyond which major damage to ecosystems and human civilization can occur (“the stability and resilience of the Earth’s system”). In a 2023 report, the Center suggests that we have already exceeded six of the nine planetary boundaries studied, including biogeochemical flows, freshwater change, land-system change, biosphere integrity, climate change, and novel entities (e.g., microplastics, hormone disruptors, radioactive materials, genetically modified organisms). Regarding the other boundaries, ocean acidification is close to being breached, and aerosol loading exceeds its limits in some regions. The only boundary that has recovered slightly is stratospheric ozone depletion.
The authors conclude, alarmingly, that their work “may serve as a renewed wake-up call to humankind that the Earth is in danger of leaving its Holocene-like state.” In plain language, this means that we are about to destroy our planet.
On the other side of the coin are scientists such as Hannah Ritchie at the University of Oxford and her newly published book, “Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet.” According to Dr. Ritchie, when we look at the data comprehensively, but also include measurements of human progress such as health and prosperity, a very different picture emerges. She demonstrates that humankind has made so much progress in tackling poverty and environmental degradation, that we are well positioned to achieve sustainability for the first time in history. Key data points that support Dr Richie’s argument include the fact that carbon emissions per capita have actually decreased in the last decade; deforestation peaked in the 1980s and now forests are recovering; the air we breathe today is much cleaner than it was centuries ago; and there has been a decrease in deaths caused by natural disasters compared to a century ago. Based on the most comprehensive data set assembled on all elements of environment and sustainability, Dr Ritchie concludes that the challenges we face are enormous – but they are solvable, and we are not necessarily doomed.
What does this mean for environmental policy makers? It means that we need to acknowledge that, as science progresses, there will always be moments of divergence in scientific viewpoints. And having acknowledged – and despite – this reality, embrace the fundamentals of the debates and continue to base our decisions on science, and not on panic or knee-jerk reactions. This is the essence of evidence-based policy making, where research and accurate data informs decision-making. At Earthna, we seek to understand Qatar’s environmental challenges and create data-driven policy pathways that provide insights to the country as it strives to achieve its 2030 Vision. We cannot give into despair; instead, we need to work towards solving problems with optimism, and always assisted by science.
Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata is Executive Director of Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, a member of Qatar Foundation
Saudi Arabia has recently discovered gold. It is the first of its kind from its company’s exploration programme, suggesting its potential to become a major gold belt for Arabia and strengthen its existing precious metal production pipeline. But Gold-Rich Saudi Arabia Is Committing to Sustainable Mining Practices: Will it Be Enough?
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Gold-Rich Saudi Is Committing to Sustainable Mining Practices: Will it Be Enough?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is sitting on US$2.5 trillion worth of precious metals and minerals. Saudi’s mining magnet, state-owned Ma’aden, has recentlyuncovered significant gold alongside its Mansourah Massarah gold mine. This is the first of its kind from the company’s exploration programme, suggesting its potential to become a major gold belt for Arabia and strengthen its existing precious metal production pipeline. —Ma’aden is one of the world’s fastest-growing mining operations and is in charge of developing Saudi Arabia into an industrial and mining hub. The company recently announced it is expanding its exploration at Jabal Ghadarah and Bir Tawilah, on the outskirts of Mansourah Massarah, after discovering “significant” gold resource potential late last year.“These discoveries have the potential to be the centre of the world’s next gold rush and are a strong part of our growth strategy,” said Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt. “The Arabian Shield has enormous potential for more world-class discoveries, and this is the first of many we expect to make in the coming years.”
The discovery is at par with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify away and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbon revenue. The country’s mining sector is expected to become the third pillar of its economy by tripling its economic contribution by 2030.
Under Saudi Vision 2030 – a roadmap “for economic diversification, global engagement, and enhanced quality of life” launched in 2016 – the country hopes its mining-powered green transition will generate 50% of its electricity from renewables and the other half from gas. This energy transition requires precious metals and minerals to lay the groundwork for the rapid upscaling of efficient and large-scale renewable energy projects around the world.
Saudi Arabia is opening up its mining industry for international collaboration and foreign investments. With investors now focused on decarbonization, gold mining is bringing about a new climate narrative.
Known for its monetary value, in recent years gold has become an asset for its use in the green energy sector. Indeed, gold has been found to improve efficiency and conductivity in solar cells and electric vehicle batteries and, as the world shifts towards renewable energy for a sustainable and clean energy-driven world, its importance and demand along with other precious metals is expected to rise.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the market for minerals and metals, which are key to clean energy transition, has doubled in the last five years.
“All new technologies – wind, solar, electric vehicles, whatever – need specific minerals including lithium, cobalt and rare earth minerals. The Kingdom is rich in these and in many others,” said Peter Leon, a key advisor for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. “The World Bank recently reported that over 3 million tons of minerals and metals will be needed in the coming transition. That represents a 500 per cent increase in demand for minerals. But it also means a huge supply gap.”
Hence, Saudi Arabia holds the potential to play a pivotal role as a global supplier of precious metals and minerals to drive global energy towards a green energy transition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
In June 2022, gold executives said that although gold is unlikely to top the list of important net-zero metals, it is still essential to the energy transition and climate change. This means that gold mining will be important for Saudi Arabia’s push to become a global player in the mineral and metal supply chain.
At last month’s Future Mineral Forum 2024, held in Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh, the country’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources formalized collaborations in the mining sector by signing memorandums of understanding with Egypt, Russia, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, effectively solidifying its position in the global mining landscape.
The Environmental Issues of Mining
Gold mining results in serious environmental damages and is a major contributor to waste pollution. The environmental pollution from leakages of gold mine tailings, which are often radioactive, toxic, or acidic, poses serious threats to groundwater and surface water quality, with impacts potentially lasting for over half a century.
Furthermore, gold mining threatens Indigenous peoples’ lands, water sources, livelihoods, and way of life. Mercury for example, which is used to separate gold from sediment, can contaminate rivers. Land degradation and deforestation reduces the physical soil condition in their agricultural land. This damages the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem of the indigenous peoples’ lands.
The industry is also responsible for increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The World Gold Council has previously identified that 95% of the GHG emissions are from gold mining operations associated with fuel combustion, indicating the urgent need to shift from carbon-intensive power sources to renewables to ensure gold mines can achieve emissions reduction by 2030 in alignment with the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Sustainable Gold Mining and Transparency
“[T]he gold mining industry’s recognition of its need to operate in a transparent and trusted manner, and to demonstrate high standards of responsible and sustainable business practices has underpinned its ability to take ambitious steps to ensure it can contribute to social and environmental progress including decarbonisation and local resilience,” said World Gold Council CFO Terry Heymann.
At last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos, members of the International Council of Metals and Minerals (ICMM) pledged that meeting the demand for critical materials in advancing global sustainable development goals should not be at the expense of nature. This nature-positive commitment is aimed at promoting health, diversity and resilience of species, ecosystems and natural processes. However, the persistent use of coal-fired electricity is an obstacle to accelerating progress towards climate target alignment.
“There is no escaping that the act of mining directly affects nature, which is why the cornerstone of our commitments is to ensure at least no net loss of biodiversity at all mine sites by closure against a 2020 baseline,” said CEO of the ICMM Rohitesh Dhawan while speaking at the Nature Positive Initiative event in Davos.
With the pledge, mining companies commit to take steps across their value chains and operations to contribute towards a nature-positive future, Dhawan explained.
This commitment was guided by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and ICMM’s existing commitments in relation to protected areas, Indigenous Peoples, water and respecting human rights as per the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Dhawan reassured.
A 2021 research paper suggested an absence of significant adverse environmental effects of mining in Saudi Arabia. However, the current mining situation is difficult to assess, as no data on the environmental damages and details on the country’s mining activity has been made available since the exploration program’s inception in 2022. Transparency is further hindered by strict regulations that researchers and employees of the mining corporations have to adhere to.
Saudi Arabia is attempting to bridge away from its past by bringing responsible mining practices and implementing high standards of environmental, sustainable, and corporate governance (ESG) in its mining industry, in an attempt to enhance transparency and accountability to draw in foreign investments. These efforts include publishing the results of nature-related impact and dependency assessments and setting targets to address them.
Indeed, in line with the commitment towards nature made in Davos 2024, all ICMM members, including Saudi Arabia, are required to provide transparent disclosures on performance outcomes, including publishing the results of nature-related impact and dependency assessments and setting targets to address their pledge.
The commitment paves for a much-needed higher degree of transparency and credibility from Saudi Arabia to prove its efforts towards green energy transition from its gold and mineral mining, on the international stage. But will it be enough?
Aysha is a freelance environmental journalist. She writes on anything and everything about people, the environment, and climate in Asia. On the side, she creates info-entertainment content on Instagram (@theclimategaze) on climate change and the environment in Tamil, to bring awareness towards environmental and climate issues for her community.
Why is Global infrastructure facing pressure like never before in the developed nations? Would the MENA countries have to go through the same traumatic phase in their development? In the meantime, let us see what The role of technology in safeguarding global infrastructure and mitigating climate risks is about and how climate resilience is the new sustainability in the development of infrastructure. But could the role of technology in safeguarding global infrastructure and mitigating climate risks rest solely on technological input and advancement?
The above-featured image is for illustration and is of the WEF
The role of technology in safeguarding global infrastructure and mitigating climate risks
Global infrastructure is facing pressure like never before. Growing populations, time, and the impact of global warming are putting our built environment to the test – and it’s a test it’s currently failing, explains Andrea Bartoli, chief technology officer at Worldsensing
More than two in five bridges in the US are at least 50 years old, and over 45,000 are deemed ‘structurally deficient’, while US infrastructure and technology failures exploded by 800% between 2021 and 2022.
But ageing infrastructure isn’t just a US problem. Countries around the world are wrestling with decades-old infrastructure and the risks they pose.
The UK’s Royal Institute of British Architects called last autumn for a public building audit as the country grapples with its RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis – where cheaper concrete used in postwar Britain is reaching the end of its lifespan, putting public infrastructure at risk of collapse.
With lives on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and inaction isn’t an option. So how can authorities and organisations get ahead of safeguarding our global infrastructure, and what role can technology play?
Age is much more than a number
Urban infrastructure is quite literally the fabric of our society. But ageing architecture coupled with a growing population means building integrity can be, in many cases, at risk of collapse.
The issue is only exacerbated by the growing spectre of climate change. As extreme weather events become ever more common, our infrastructure is having to withstand conditions that it was simply not designed to stand up to.
Extreme heat can lead to buckling, increased freeze-thaw cycles can cause materials to fail, and rising flood risks can mean previously safe structures become overwhelmed.
From dams and railroads to bridges and viaducts, when our global infrastructure fails, lives are put at risk, and billions of dollars worth of vital assets are lost. Investing in resilience by monitoring the integrity of our structures is critical to avoiding future failures.
Yet, despite its importance, sectors of our industry are slow in embracing new technology and automating their systems.
Instead, many continue to rely on outdated monitoring that relies on deploying civil engineers to identify risks in person.
This reactive approach is limited. However, new technology is enabling us to shift towards proactive, continuous, automated monitoring that identifies emerging issues before they even occur.
Continuous monitoring is crucial
Thankfully, modern advancements mean that we now have the power to effectively monitor even our most remote infrastructure, collecting data that provides invaluable insight and, crucially, can help prevent future failures.
It’s all powered by digitisation. The Internet of Things (IoT) technology is bringing large-scale infrastructure to life by enabling us to continuously monitor the stresses and strains that it experiences.
No longer do you have to send out engineers to monitor structures or complete spot checks.
Instead, modern technology, like Vibration Meters, enables us to collect data in real-time using connected and low-power embedded sensors. This data can then be automatically uploaded to the cloud, where it can be remotely monitored around the clock.
Considering that something like vibration analysis would previously require engineers to place accurate seismic sensors in the fields, collect all the raw data, return to the office, convert the data into ground motion and analyse all the information, this is a game-changer for infrastructure.
It enables civil engineers to monitor any architecture anywhere in the world at any time. Not only can it help us spot potential failures, but it can also lower costs, reduce operational burdens, aid regulatory compliance and give you an edge when it comes to winning bids.
Life-saving potential
Cost-saving benefits aside, one of the true values of remote monitoring is its contribution to helping save lives.
Engineers can now, for example, use tools such as Tiltmeters and Vibration meters to detect early faults in infrastructures, replacing manual measurement with uninterrupted data and anomaly detection.
We’ve seen the life-saving potential of this technology first-hand as Tiltmeters were able
to prevent casualties in a bridge collapse in Johor, Malaysia.
On the day of the incident, two devices detected movement in the bridge triggering an automated alert. This warning was then picked up by a team of expert operators who monitored the situation remotely and contacted local authorities to evacuate the area and immediately close the road leading to the bridge.
As the data had suggested, a 25-meter-long section of the road and bridge had collapsed, but thankfully casualties had been avoided due to the automated early warning.
This is just one real-world example of how investing in resilience and IoT technology can help to safeguard against major infrastructure failure. Whether it’s bridge collapses, train derailments or mining disasters – future-proofing infrastructure monitoring can de-risk projects and increase safety.
Safeguarding the planet and profits
The value of these technologies extends to the environment as they play a part in sustainability efforts. By averting failures, construction and wider civil engineering projects can become more sustainable as maintenance can be managed over time.
There’s also an economic consideration at play here. Infrastructure failures cost billions in damage and compensation.
The current numbers are eye-watering, but even they might soon be eclipsed with experts predicting that nearly $1tn of assets are at risk from climate impact within the next five years.
Monitoring provides a cost-effective solution to help prevent these costs, which means that every dollar spent on resilience can pay dividends in the future.
Infrastructure resilience is essential to our future
The march of time has a heavy tread which, coupled with global challenges, is weakening the structure of our world. But there are solutions.
Leveraging wireless technologies can help build and maintain a safer, more sustainable world that sets up global communities for the future.
The conflict began in the early morning of October 7 2023 when armed Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack against Israel, killing at least 1,400 Israelis and taking more than 200 civilians hostage.
Israel responded to this attack by launching an assault on Gaza beginning with a relentless aerial bombardment and continuing now with a ground offensive. According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 10,000 people – mainly civilians – have been killed in Gaza in the month since the conflict began, including 4,100 children.
A further 25,000 people have been injured and hundreds of thousands have been displaced within the Gaza Strip, unable to leave because of the blockade imposed by Israel.
Israel’s massive bombing campaign has unsurprisingly led to a disastrous humanitarian situation. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has described the situation in Gaza as a “godawful nightmare”.
This has led the UN and other countries to pressure Israel for a “pause” in the fighting to at least provide temporary humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza.
A number of resolutions calling for a ceasefire or some form of truce have been raised in the UN security council, but on each occasion they have been vetoed by one or more of the permanent members. A non-binding resolution passed the UN general assembly on October 27, but this has been ignored by the Israeli government.
A humanitarian pause
Gaza has no access to basic humanitarian aid due to the siege and blockade that Israel has inflicted on the strip. Even before the beginning of the war, Gaza had been subject to a 16-year blockade after Hamas took political control of the strip in June 2007.
After the October 7 Hamas attack, the Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant ordered a “complete siege” on Gaza, which included cutting off supplies of electricity, food, water and gas. These shortages have put the country’s health system at risk – hospitals are now being run on power from electric generators and with severe shortages of vital medical supplies.
According to the UN, a humanitarian pause is defined as “a temporary cessation of hostilities purely for humanitarian purposes”. It is carried out for a certain period of time and in a specific geographic location.
The pause allows civilians trapped in conflict areas to safely flee, access assistance or receive medical treatment. It also enables the passage of essential supplies such as food, fuel and medicines.
An ambulance carries an injured Palestinian evacuee to a hostpial in Egypt after passing the Rafah crossing from Gaza, November 1. EPA-EFE/Khaled Elfiqi
Nonetheless, some argue that using a humanitarian pause to provide a temporary halt in the bombing of Gaza is not enough. In a report calling for a general ceasefire, Oxfam said its experience is that such pauses can even put civilians at a greater risk, as there is usually less clarity involved about safe zones and the duration of pauses.
“Rumours and misinformation spreads that this road or that ‘safe zone’ has been declared a demilitarised area, but that is often not true, leaving people walking into a warzone believing it is safe,” the report said. At the beginning of the war, routes that were thought to have been designated safe passages for evacuation from Gaza were bombed.
As a result, the only true humanitarian solution that appears ideal is a complete ceasefire.
A ceasefire: roadmap for an end to hostilities
A ceasefire is a political process rather than simply a humanitarian one. It urges parties to come together to find a political solution to the conflict.
It is meant to a be a longer-term process than a “pause” and should apply to the entire geographical area of the conflict. In this case, it would mean the whole of Gaza strip but also all others affected by the conflict such as the south of Lebanon where Israeli troops are battling with Hezbollah.
In the context of Gaza, a ceasefire would mean a complete stop of fighting on all sides, and the eventual release or exchange of hostages. It would not only mean the end of the bombardment of Gaza, but would also obligate Hamas to stop its attacks on Israel.
It is important to note that, like a pause, a ceasefire is not a permanent peace agreement. That said, the aim would be to create the conditions for a permanent settlement.
Meanwhile, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza continues. AP Photo/Hatem Ali
Reaching a ceasefire would likely require the involvement of a third party mediator, such as the US, Qatar or Iran.
In the previous Hamas-Israel war in 2021, both parties eventually managed to reach a ceasefire after 11 days of destruction which left more than 200 people dead. In that conflict, Egypt played a major role as a mediator.
Since the latest conflict began on October 7, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has resisted all calls for a humanitarian pause and a ceasefire.
But the US and other allies of Israel continue to press Netanyahu for at least a pause in Israel’s assault. He insists that while “little pauses” might be arranged to allow for the exit of hostages or to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, a longer halt in hostilities is not possible until all hostages taken by Hamas are released. And so the killing continues
A three-day forum in Morocco emphasized the importance of environmentally friendly, socially resilient, and technologically innovative approaches to urban development. Key discussions included the role of smart cities in achieving sustainable development and the significance of digitalization and AI in transforming societies. Participants highlighted the need for smarter planning strategies and collaboration across African cities.
run Africa from top to bottom, just that… April 8, 2024 Russ Cook, nicknamed the “ hardest Geezer » (the toughest of the giants) completed his remarkable expedition of traveling the entire length of Africa after about a year. The 27-year-old from the United Kingdom crossed deserts, mountains and rainforests on his journey from South Africa to […]
North Africa’s Renewables Revolution: Unlocking The Region’s Potential For Climate Resilience By Pooja Chandak In the face of climate change challenges, North Africa – encompassing Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Sudan – emerges as a key player in the global energy transition. The region’s economies, heavily reliant on agriculture, fishery, and tourism, are […]
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