Advancing sustainability through strategic collaboration: A CICES perspective

 

President Batsetswe Motsumi in his final column reminds us of the importance of collaboration

The specialist skills of our members help to communicate complex concepts to solve societies’ problems.

IN this, my final note as your president, I was tempted to prove that artificial intelligence can write my column however that would have gone against my core belief that AI will remain an enabler to a civil engineering surveyor’s professional acumen not a replacement.

 

I hence opted for collaboration in writing this column with CICES fellow, Michael Halliday (who is a principal at HKA) as proof that civil engineering surveyor is here to stay.

The specialist skills of our members help to communicate complex concepts to solve societies’ problems as you can read below from an event that we both attended in Teesside as part of an economically strategic project.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Northern Endurance Partnership and Net Zero Teesside supply chain engagement event where the team from Costain and I presented our role and involvement with this £4bn portfolio project. It also gave me time to reflect on my own drivers as president of CICES by adding value through collaboration.

In the pursuit of a sustainable future, collaboration among key stakeholders is paramount. This column explores the synergy between contractors, the National Offshore Wind Forum (NOF), the Northern Endurance Partnership, Net Zero Teesside, the East Coast Cluster and how these partnerships align with the institution’s approach to collaboration.

Contractors

Contractors bring specialised expertise and advanced technologies essential for the successful execution of complex projects. By partnering with contractors, project managers can ensure highquality outcomes, adherence to timelines, and optimal resource utilisation. Contractors’ experience in similar projects also aids in effective risk management, identifying potential pitfalls early and implementing mitigation strategies.

National Offshore Wind Forum (NOF)

CICES advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, where diverse expertise and perspectives are integrated to solve complex challenges. 

NOF plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration across the offshore wind sector. Engaging with NOF allows project teams to stay updated on the latest industry trends, innovations and best practices. This knowledge exchange promotes the adoption of cutting-edge solutions and continuous improvement, ensuring that projects align with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Northern Endurance Partnership

The Northern Endurance Partnership focuses on developing infrastructure for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) in the UK. Collaboration with this partnership enables projects to leverage their expertise in CCUS technologies, facilitating the reduction of carbon emissions. This partnership also provides access to a network of stakeholders committed to achieving net zero goals, fostering a collaborative environment for innovation.

Net Zero Teesside

Net Zero Teesside is a pioneering project aimed at decarbonising the Teesside industrial cluster. By collaborating with Net Zero Teesside, projects can benefit from its comprehensive approach to carbon reduction, which includes capturing and storing emissions from various industrial sources. This partnership ensures that projects are part of a larger, integrated effort to achieve net zero emissions in the region.

East Coast Cluster

The East Coast Cluster is a major initiative focused on decarbonising the UK’s east coast industrial region. Collaboration with the East Coast Cluster provides access to a wealth of resources and expertise in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen production and renewable energy. This partnership enhances the scalability and impact of net zero projects, contributing to the broader goal of regional decarbonisation.

Alignment with CICES approach to collaboration

CICES champions the value of continuous learning and innovation, which is reflected in the partnerships with NOF and the Northern Endurance Partnership.The institution emphasises the importance of collaboration in achieving project success. CICES advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, where diverse expertise and perspectives are integrated to solve complex challenges. The collaboration with contractors, NOF, the Northern Endurance Partnership, Net Zero Teesside and the East Coast Cluster exemplifies this approach by bringing together various stakeholders to work towards common goals.

CICES champions the value of continuous learning and innovation, which is reflected in the partnerships with NOF and the Northern Endurance Partnership. These collaborations ensure that project teams are equipped with the latest knowledge and technologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Strategic collaboration with contractors, NOF, the Northern Endurance Partnership, Net Zero Teesside and the East Coast Cluster is essential for driving sustainability and achieving net zero goals. By aligning with the institution’s approach to collaboration, these partnerships create a robust framework for successful and impactful net zero projects, leveraging expertise, optimizing resources, managing risks, fostering innovation and engaging stakeholders.

In my interview, ‘The Rise of Motsumi’ I talked about how collaboration across various disciplines and specialisms, while seemingly straightforward, is often challenging to implement. However, attending this event and engaging with the supply chain and invested parties has significantly boosted my enthusiasm, making me believe that achieving this collaboration for the project is indeed possible.

It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve as your president and I offer my underlying support to incoming president Alison Watson and wish her every success for what will be an exciting year ahead. Thank you.

Batsetswe Motsumi FCInstCES, President

president@cices.org