Working together on a sustainable future
The impacts of climate change are growing, with devastating effects for the environment, wildlife, and communities. With governments, industry, investors, and communities around the world demanding bold sustainable thinking, RPS can navigate the complexity. Something we’ve proudly been doing for 50 years.
Solving problems that matter
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Business and industry are in the spotlight to meet government commitments to decarbonise and their role is expanding to accelerate action.
Our specialists partner with clients to navigate their climate change response agenda across sustainability, natural resources, and urbanisation. This includes improving the sustainability of the built environment, diversifying to renewable energy sources and creating both shared and social value from infrastructure development. Explore a selection of our insights and case studies below.
Sustainability
Climate change is shaping how governments and industry strategically adapt their business models to find balance – between meeting current and future energy and infrastructure needs and investing in a sustainable future.
RPS is acting on its purpose to create shared value and is delivering exciting work to help shape a bright future for the generations to come.
Insights
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Top 5 ESG-related questions limited partners ask during fundraising
Investor interest in investment funds that integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into the investment process has never been higher.
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UK's Oil and Gas Authority mandates ESG reporting
In March 2021, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) reported on the results by their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) taskforce focused on the 'E' of ESG.
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Reimagining the circular economy
It’s important that ‘reimagine’ is first on the list. To restore environmental systems and create economic structures that allow people to prosper within them, we need to reimagine how we do things.
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Securing Biodiversity Net Gain on logistics sites
With sustainable development high on the agenda, the impact of the built environment on our natural world is a key consideration in the planning process. Hannah Knight, Principal Ecologist looks at the challenges of securing BNG on logistics sites..
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How 2020 events will impact the 2021 environmental social and governance (ESG) trends in the US
With the numerous trends to monitor to reduce corporate risk, improve business strategy, and reveal untapped opportunities, it can be difficult to sort through what’s important to focus on. We've highlighted the top trends.
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RPS drives new scientific approaches to koala population assessment
RPS ecology and spatial data specialists are adopting contemporary scientific techniques to detect and monitor koala populations in Australia’s eastern states.
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RPS ecologists writing the story of North Queensland skink
Since the skinks were found in an area near Mareeba designated for quarrying a few years ago, our local team has been supporting the site’s owner to manage impacts through a program of regular field monitoring for this vulnerable species.
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Climate change and the global health crisis
As organisations, governments and individuals around the world look for solutions to the impact of climate change, Dr Jennifer Napier considers the role of healthcare professionals in addressing the impact of climate change.
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The role of occupational health in transitioning to a greener future
The Covid pandemic sharpened employers’ focus on employee health, safety, and wellbeing, and thus brought the role of occupational health into the limelight. But what of the role of occupational health in the face of climate change?
Our projects
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ESG strategy development for national energy company
To align business with investor requirements and to benefit from the opportunities that arise from good ESG, RPS was selected to help this national energy producer in Africa achieve their corporate vision and move towards a low carbon economy.
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Woolooga solar farm
RPS’ ecology team has provided biodiversity assessments to support the development of Woolooga Solar Farm. Construction of the project began in June 2021, with commercial operation expected in the second half of 2022.
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Rivendale Holiday Park, Derbyshire
Our ecologists and landscape architects developed a unique mitigation and enhancement scheme, that would simultaneously provide a biodiversity net gain, whilst still meeting the needs of the client and the many protected species present.
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PFAS investigation and remediation
Working closely with Commonwealth, state and local authorities in the conduct of environmental investigations, Defence is working towards the effective management of PFAS contamination on and in the vicinity of affected sites right across Australia.
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Anglian Water integrated urban drainage project
Anglian Water required a system which is resilient to the effects of growth, climate change and severe drought; to minimise water and carbon footprints; to enhance biodiversity and to increase the resilience of natural systems in the region.
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Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) Program
RPS is supporting Queensland’s Department of Education to deliver sustainability upgrades at more than 800 schools across the state. Work has begun with photovoltaic (solar) panel installations and a range of other power and money-saving measures.
Natural resources
It’s expected that the demand for global energy will increase by 50% and new infrastructure by 75% over the next 30 years. At RPS, we employ some of the world's best onshore and offshore talent across many fields including environment, oceans and coastal, planning and approvals, due diligence and advisory. With deep local and international expertise, our specialists define, design and manage sustainable, pragmatic solutions to help reduce the often-devastating impacts of climate change.
Insights
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A sound strategy: Studying Minke Whale responses to ADDs
Could the outcomes of a recently published research study on minke whales and their responses to Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in Iceland help to improve the process of gaining consent for offshore wind farm development projects?
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A social value approach key to Gippsland's transition to renewables
A widespread transition to renewables is our best chance of ensuring a sustainable and liveable future on this planet. But we must also ensure that our communities stand to benefit more immediately, and that those benefits are ongoing.
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FloodCitiSense: citizen-led mitigation of urban flooding
Vulnerability to flooding can be reduced with better warning systems that alert the public and enable faster incident response such as the innovative early-warning systems for urban pluvial flooding.
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Why geothermal energy must be considered in our conversations about energy transition
We are standing witness to a monumental global shift from fossil-based energy production to renewable energy sources. So, with renewed commitments to reduce carbon emissions, why aren't we talking about geothermal energy more?
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Can planning policy keep pace with Australia's renewable energy revolution?
While renewable energy has well and truly entered the mainstream, statutory ‘sluggishness’ could fuel uncertainty in our transition to greener energy solutions.
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Could training help solve global offshore wind bottlenecks?
Increased government focus on meeting net-zero carbon targets is shining a light on existing challenges for Offshore Wind. For developers and regulators, a deeper knowledge of the sector and its processes could ease the pressure.
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Offshore wind Korea: Obtaining a local and international licence to operate
In Korea, each new offshore wind project will need to navigate the critical first step of obtaining the much needed environmental permits and licences.
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A bird behaviour study is changing how we think about offshore wind development
Concerns regarding seabird flight behaviour can be one of the biggest risks to offshore wind farm developments. Learnings from an offshore ornithology study could help advance the challenging EIA stage of offshore wind farm consenting/permitting.
Mike Armitage
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U.S. offshore wind permitting: the SAP, the COP, and the regulatory process in between
As the U.S. offshore wind industry continues to gain momentum, we explore the permitting regime in more detail and deliver some insights regarding the Construction and Operations Plan (COP), some of the associated challenges and potential solutions.
Our projects
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The living bog: restoring raised bogs in Ireland
To reverse losses and tackle high rates of greenhouse gas emissions from damaged peatlands, the Living Bog Project aimed to restore and raise awareness of the importance of conserving these unique peatland habits.
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Carbon capture and Utilisation Plant, Winnington
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which includes carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), is positioned as one of our greatest weapons in the fight against climate change. Our team played a vital role in bringing the UK's largest CCU project to life.
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Star of the South, Victoria, Australia
RPS is providing environmental services and planning expertise to support Australia’s first offshore wind project. If approved, Star of the South would offer a clean and reliable source of energy with the capacity to power up to 1.2 million homes.
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Fisheries co-existence study, Japan
Our client was keen to understand how they might manage the interaction of their proposed developments with the fishing industry, maximising the opportunities for co-existence and minimising the risk to ongoing project development.
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Equinor and RPS successfully launch LiDAR buoys, Ulsan South Korea
July 2020, RPS delivered two Floating LiDAR buoys to collect the data that will determine future investment decisions. Over 12 months, a feasibility study into the viability of wind resource will be conducted.
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Hydrodynamic and sediment transport modelling of subsea cable installation, Block Island Wind Farm, Rhode Island
As part of the Environmental Impacts Assessment, RPS delivered this modelling study to evaluate the sediment trajectory and fate from jet plow cable burial operations and near shore cofferdam re-fill activities.
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Sleipner West Carbon Capture Storage 4D seismic monitoring
The purpose of this 4D seismic survey was to monitor the expansion of the plume, and to confirm that the CO2 has stayed within the formation and not penetrated the overburden.
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Thang Long Offshore Wind Project Vietnam
Enterprize Energy were keen to develop an understanding of the site’s seabed conditions, such as bathymetry and seabed features, with particular interest of sand waves for the considerations of conceptual design, feasibility and constraint studies
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Pacific Hydro community engagement
Providing ongoing support to the Pacific Hydro’s Engagement and External Affairs team, RPS has shaped Pacific Hydro’s community and stakeholder engagement activities for new wind, solar, hydrogen and battery storage projects across Australia.
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Waddi Wind and Solar Farm, Australia
RPS is supporting Tilt Renewables to progress an innovative renewable energy initiative featuring both wind and solar generation technologies near Dandaragan in Western Australia.
Urbanisation
As urban centres continue to grow, so too does the demand for better, smarter, and more sustainable infrastructure. Our teams work across renewable energy, transport, water, telecommunications and social infrastructure, to shape transformational projects that enhance the productivity, liveability and sustainability of the communities we live in.
Together with our people, global capabilities, technology, and data management solutions across the asset lifecycle, we work together with our clients to create social value and forge a greener and more sustainable future.
Insights
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Data centres: preparing for net zero normal
As the global groundswell for sustainability grows, ‘net zero carbon’ has emerged as not just a goal to pursue, but an imperative pursuit for business.
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Combined sewer overflows: a roadmap to zero pollution
As populations increases and more urban areas are paved over, climate change results in more extreme summer storms and wetter winters, and the way we use our waterways continues to evolve, combined sewer overflow spills will remain in the spotlight.
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Peatlands and Nature Recovery Networks: The Environment’s Bill of the ball?
The Government’s recent announcement, setting out plans to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change is a crucial step in safeguarding the environment. So what are the implications for developers and landowners moving forward?
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Standing on the shoulders of giants: lessons for Australia's social value movement
How do we think about social value as an industry? How do we define, prioritise, and measure it? Where are we doing well? What should we be doing next?
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The importance of subsurface gas storage as part of the energy transition mix
The transition to a “Net-Zero” economy and an increased reliance on renewable sources of energy for electricity generation, subsurface gas storage will be necessary to supplement the more intermittent renewable energy supplies.
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Stick or twist: to retrofit or build new?
One of the questions at the top of the agenda for property owners looking to reduce their carbon footprint is should we retrofit, or build new? We discusses how to weigh up your options and choose the right route for your project.
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Planning for the Next Generation of Texas Mobility
In the United States, the transportation industry is facing several challenges that will likely shape the way we plan, fund, and build multimodal infrastructure for years to come.
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Decarbonising social housing stock: steps to prioritise net zero carbon investment
The social housing sector is facing a monumental decarbonisation challenge. And not all of it can be tackled at once. So, with it comes the big question – how to prioritise investment?
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Realising regional infrastructure benefits
It’s a strategy that’s tried and tested - investing in large scale projects to spark economic revival. But, there's a risk that traditional approaches to assessing benefits could reinforce inequity of investment between metro and regional areas.
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Technology and Transportation
The connection between technology and transportation has become a major point of discussion, both in terms of physical transportation and the strategies used to plan for and improve the future transportation system.
Our projects
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Fish Lane Town Square, Queensland Australia
Fish Lane Town Square is an urban regeneration project that transformed an unused carpark into a vibrant arts, entertainment and hospitality destination for the city of Brisbane.
Image credit: Scott Burrows Photography
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Darwin Escapes Woodland Carbon Sequestration Project
RPS undertook a biological carbon assessment to quantify the benefits of implementing areas of new woodland. The results from the assessment will inform Darwin’s low carbon strategy and deliver a positive message to shareholders and investors.
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Seismic interpretation for Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal
This project will serve the Fort Nelson First Nation, one of the most northern communities in British Columbia. The project is 100% Indigenous owned and led, and will provide reliable electricity and abundant heat for buildings and greenhouses.
Ryan Dickie
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Langholm Flood Protection Scheme
With the aim of mitigating future flooding of the community, we produced a sustainable flood protection scheme. To support community engagement and understanding of the proposed flood mitigation measures, we produced a 3D model using virtual reality.
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Sunshine Cove masterplanning
Located in the heart of Maroochydore, Sunshine Cove is an integrated mixed-use masterplanned community. Since 2004, RPS’ team of urban design and surveying specialists have supported Chardan Development Group to deliver this unique project.
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Norcem Carbon Capture and Storage project, Brevik Norway
The cement industry accounts for 5-7% of global CO2 emissions annually. Norcem will build a full-scale carbon capture and storage facility at their factory to reduce CO2 emissions by 400,000 tons p/a - almost 1% of Norway's total emissions.
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Measuring and reducing carbon for HS2 Enabling Works
Our team provided design services for a series of enabling works for HS2. A key requirement was to accurately measure the carbon footprint at each design gateway and to deliver solutions to meet 30% carbon reduction target.
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Seaham Garden Village - geothermal energy project
Seaham Garden Village features a pioneering mine water sourced district heating scheme. With one quarter of UK properties sitting on coalfields, abandoned mines have great potential to help us meet net zero carbon by 2050.
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Energy and sustainability assessments for Woodside Square
This site includes a mixture of new build and refurbished buildings. RPS carried out energy and sustainability assessments to advise how to maximise the sustainability rating of the historic and new build elements for the community.
RPS Group – a bold path to net zero by 2030
RPS has set an ambitious, science-based, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target across our value chain by 2030. For the same period, we are also setting a bold aim to have transitioned strongly towards Net Zero.
- Managing Emissions - Science based and aligned to a 1.5ºC pathway
- Target: c46% reduction in GHG emissions (Scopes 1-3) by 2030
- Path to Net Zero: Aim to have strongly transitioned to Net Zero by 2030
Careers for change
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RPS’ Climate Careers Zone is a virtual learning experience that brings the future of our towns and cities to life.
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