issue two: may 2009 - Halcrow

Sustainable solutionsIt’s in our handsBuilding trust in carbonIan Behling fromHalcrow’s environmentteam is now an accreditedCarbon Trust assessor,empowered to verifythe emissions oforganisations wishingto meet the UK’s CarbonTrust Standard.The body separatestangible results fromthe ‘greenwash’ oftenseen in corporate claimsregarding environmentaland climate change impact.Ian Behling, Carbon Trust assessorIt provides organisations with independent verification of theircarbon reductions, allowing them to confidently shout about theirsuccess. The standard also provides companies with a significantbenefit under the carbon reduction commitment, a new regulatorytool to be launched in 2010.One of only 25 consultants accredited to deliver this work in theUK, Ian has already begun his first three assessments, with amajor mobile telecommunications company, a defence industrysupplier and a major utilities company.This work builds on Halcrow’s carbon credentials, includingcarbon accounting in the water sector and dynamic carbonfootprinting in the transportation field. It will furtherestablish Halcrow’s credibility in the field of climate changemitigation consultancy.River ItchenHalcrow has beenawarded the nextphases of a feasibilitystudy for the UK’sEnvironment Agency’sRiver Itchen waterlevel managementplan (WLMP).The project’s ultimate aim is to improve water levelmanagement practices in the Itchen, a site of special scientificinterest (SSSI), in Hampshire.As part of the feasibility work, Halcrow will supply ecology, hydrologyand river engineering expertise. The team also recently secureddetailed design work following previous feasibility assessments.Regarded as one of the world’s finest chalk streams, the River Itchen’sclear waters support a diverse range of wildlife. Also, much of theecological diversity of the flood plain is dependent on a steady supplyof fresh water from the main river.This Environment Agency-funded WLMP initiative seeks to reconcileand integrate conservation objectives with those of other usersincluding fisheries, agriculture, recreation and flood risk managers.More than CEEQUALto the taskGlasgow-based Catherine Taggart hassuccessfully qualified as a civil engineeringenvironmental quality assessment andawards scheme (CEEQUAL) verifier.The CEEQUAL programme provides anevidence-based evaluation of a project’senvironmental and sustainability performance.Catherine is the first Halcrow employeeto achieve verifier status, and follows herappointment as the company’s first CEEQUALassessor back in 2007.In addition to her current role, Catherinewill now be responsible for independentlyreviewing external projects that are seekinga CEEQUAL award. She will ensure that theevidence provided is appropriate and that theprocess has been undertaken fairly beforerecommending an award grade for the project.To avoid any conflict of interest, Catherine willnot be able to perform the verifier functionon any Halcrow projects. However, she willcontinue to act as an internal CEEQUALassessor of Halcrow’s work.Catherine’s assessment skills are currentlybenefiting Glasgow’s White Cart water floodprevention scheme and Sandy Lane relief roadin Northampton.She recently completed an award for theCross Valley Link Road in Northampton whichachieved an ‘excellent’ whole project awardwith 85.9 per cent.CEEQUAL principles can be applied at anypoint on a project by clients, designers orcontractors to promote environmental qualityand aid the decision-making process.CatherineTaggart,CEEQUALverifier34Vox | issue two