More than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere today come from the energy sector. It is widely recognized that tackling the climate crisis requires major transformations in energy production, distribution, and consumption.

 

For the past three to four decades, we have been transitioning away from the hard model of fossil fuel use—both liquid and solid—that dominated the past two centuries. This transition has involved an increasing reliance on natural gas and renewable energy sources. However, even this model is now gradually being replaced by a new era of energy production based exclusively on renewables, combined with energy storage solutions and distribution via hydrogen and smart electrical grids.

 

Just twenty years ago, the changes we are witnessing today were deemed unrealistic. Yet, we have seen them unfold in real time, and in recent years, at an astonishingly rapid pace. Every day, new challenges emerge, fresh ideas are introduced, new regulations are issued, and innovative solutions are proposed.

 

Beyond energy, water management has also come to the forefront. Water scarcity and declining water quality are becoming pressing issues in regions that previously faced no such problems, while they are worsening in areas where water stress was already a concern. Many experts predict that, in the near future, the European Union will implement regulatory frameworks for fresh water that are even stricter than those recently developed for energy.

 

At the same time, environmental concerns are expanding across multiple fronts. Refrigerant management, wastewater treatment, waste disposal, material recycling, embedded energy, and carbon emissions associated with products, services, and methods are all becoming critical considerations.

 

Never before have engineers designing facilities been required to solve such complex problems while considering so many interdependent factors. Their work now demands not only a deep analysis of local conditions but also alignment with broader sustainability strategies and compliance with an increasingly extensive regulatory framework.

 

For our part, we have long recognized energy and water as invaluable resources and have designed our projects to maximize their conservation. We have integrated renewable energy systems into our designs and are actively implementing decarbonization strategies in nearly all new facilities. Rather than merely keeping up with developments, we aim to drive progress forward. Addressing climate change is not just a global challenge—it is our responsibility as well.

 

D.B. / JAN 2025