GHD’s association with the Adani Carmichael Coal Mine project has attracted public interest and speculation in recent months. The following information is provided to clarify our position.
Is GHD designing or constructing Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine?
As a matter of policy we do not publicly comment on matters that relate to client business. While details of our work with Adani are confidential, we can confirm that we are not responsible for the design of mine site infrastructure or construction of the Carmichael Coal Mine and we have no ongoing contractual obligations on this project beyond early December 2019, when the existing contractual obligations are due to expire.
Will GHD work with Adani after the current contractual obligations are complete?
We will assess any future opportunities to work with Adani’s Australian businesses, which include renewable energy projects, if and when these opportunities arise.
What is GHD’s position on greenhouse gas reduction and the provision of services to the fossil fuel industry?
GHD recognises that ecological imperatives are steering the world towards a sustainable future.
Many of our clients across all industries, and in particular the energy, water, transport and agribusiness sectors are taking action to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. We are proud to be assisting our clients to solve these complex challenges.
For example, we serve clients across the world who are at the forefront of renewable energy development in solar, wind, battery storage, hydro power and storage, waste to energy, and hydrogen fuel development.
In water, we work with utilities to implement carbon abatement strategies including energy use efficiency, resource recovery including biogas production and use, and research and optimisation to reduce fugitive emissions from wastewater treatment.
In transport, we’re working with clients to advance viable low emission transport alternatives and helping the progression towards 100 percent renewable energy as a fuel source.
And in agribusiness, we’re helping clients explore the use of low emission fertilisers, adapt and refine livestock and farm management practices, reduce supply chain environmental impacts, and establish ecologically sustainable food processing operations.
At the same time we recognise that the world’s transition to a sustainable future is essential but will take time. In particular, the demand for fossil fuels to fully meet global energy needs will continue in the medium term. In acknowledging this need for transition, assisting fossil fuel industries to comply with regulations and minimise their impact is not a conflict for GHD. We see it as part of the long-term solution that is needed to achieve the energy transition without compromising other Sustainable Development Goals for the planet, and while also delivering lasting social and economic community benefits.
For example, according to the International Energy Agency, coal demand is predicted to remain stable: “For many countries, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, it is looked upon to provide energy security and underpin economic development.”
Our commitment and contribution to sustainable progress is to provide professional, honest and evidence-based advice to all our clients in all sectors, always within the laws and regulations that apply to them and to our own operations.
How does working with the fossil fuel industry align with GHD’s commitment to providing lasting community benefit?
As a professional services company, we do not create policy on behalf of governments or our clients, or source business on a policy-driven agenda. We work professionally to apply scientific and engineering knowledge to support our clients, whose operations in turn have to meet commercial, environmental and regulatory requirements.
How is GHD committed to sustainability?
GHD’s Sustainability Policy provides strategic direction to encourage and support our clients, other business partners and our global company to achieve sustainable outcomes. In an organisational context this means integrating social, economic and environmental issues into core business processes to achieve environmentally and socially responsible operations.
The range of work we do and the clients we assist are broad, and we aim for outcomes that provide a balance of environmental benefits, community advantages and economic prudence.
To find out more, please view our Sustainability Report and the pioneering new energy material on our website.