ERM Annual Review 2008 - (Page 10) “ Organizations are required to address both local regulatory requirements for impact assessment and stringent global standards.” Scottish Water Supporting one of Scotland’s largest construction ventures from site selection through planning, to construction and operation. To meet European Union drinking water quality standards, Scottish Water undertook an ambitious project to replace a water treatment works which supplies drinking water to 700,000 people in Glasgow. From inception to completion, environmental factors were a key consideration. A comprehensive impact assessment was undertaken and ERM also supported Scottish Water during construction and commissioning of the project. Mark Irvine, Edinburgh, UK Global Market Trends in Resource Development Unprecedented economic growth in the world’s commodity markets has led many of our clients in the extractive sector to develop reserves in more culturally and environmentally challenging locations. In the last year we have helped oil & gas and mining clients gain project approvals in locations as diverse as Uganda, Mali, Colombia and Azerbaijan. These locations bring with them a complex set of ESHIA challenges and associated corporate risks through which we have been guiding our clients, while ensuring they meet requirements of local and international approval processes. Energy Challenges in a Lower Carbon World Kelson Transmission Company LLC Completing environmental assessments and managing cross-agency permit applications for a new transmission line. Erin Anitsakis & Alicia Smith Houston TX, US Coinciding with the surge in resource development, and as the climate change arena evolves, our clients are shifting the focus of their energy portfolios to renewable and lower carbon energy sources. During 2007, ERM helped gain development approvals for renewable energy projects undertaken by clients around the world. We have also been supporting strong activity in the LNG industry. This has resulted in increased demand for ESHIA, quantitative risk assessment, and EHS and security plan development. A major project in Hong Kong involved impact and risk assessments for Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO). Elsewhere, coal seam gas has emerged as a viable energy source and during 2007 we worked on the early development of projects in Australia, India, the UK and China. The move to a lower carbon world is also driving another change in the ESHIA landscape, assessing the carbon footprint of projects and identifying CO2 saving opportunities throughout the project lifecycle. As part of an impact assessment process, we provided CO2 emission calculations for the Edinburgh Tram and Airport Rail Link projects in Scotland. In addition to a comprehensive EIA for the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram project in England, we also used a life cycle assessment to determine whole life CO2 savings from investment in public transport. Results from the assessment were presented as evidence to a public inquiry into extension of the system. 10 ERM Annual Review 2008
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