While much of the current climate change discussion within the pipeline industry is centred around electricity generation and the role gas can play, a presentation by GHD’s Monique Chelin at the February Brisbane dinner highlighted how carbon footprints of pipeline projects and individuals can be reduced.

At the well-attended dinner Monique gave an informative and entertaining presentation. She began by outlining the global implications of climate change and providing an overview of current government initiatives by both federal and state governments.

Monique commented on how to enhance the sustainability of projects with a view to minimising carbon emissions as far as possible and offsetting those emissions which cannot be avoided.

The measures discussed included areas such as carbon neutral bidding, implementing a carbon management program, using local materials and suppliers where possible, creating a regional carbon sink, using solar sources for intermittent lighting needs, using bio-fuels and fuel reduction strategies for project fleets.

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To aid in developing a carbon management program, Monique outlined the importance of calculating the carbon footprint of a project. While at the outset the process might seem onerous, she suggested that most of the information is usually collected and calculated, as a matter of course, as part of general project operations.

Monique concluded by outlining the awards and recognition available for companies that are tackling climate change in new and innovative ways.