Insights Why Engineering Net Zero matters for biodiversity
![Photo of Abby smiling towards the camera](/img/8ab89b87-01c7-469e-bdb2-08dacc6d5863)
Kate, what led you to work in the ENZ space?
As an ecologist, I'm fully aware of the biodiversity crisis. But, as an environmentalist too, I can also see the bigger picture of how the climate crisis is interlinked with biodiversity loss. We can't solve one problem without solving the other.
I wanted to ensure that nature wasn't forgotten in the race to net zero. As an engineering organization, our infrastructure designs must be smart, green and environmentally sustainable.
How are you involved in ENZ?
I specialize in including nature-based solutions in any project to benefit biodiversity, people and the climate. I'm passionate about supporting clients and policymakers in delivering biodiversity net gain, combining this to utilize nature-based solutions to achieve a wider environmental net gain and, ultimately, a reduction in carbon emissions.
Climate change dramatically impacts ecosystems and, together with land-use change, is among the main drivers of biodiversity loss. In turn, nature can help people and communities mitigate carbon emissions by restoring habitats that sequester carbon and adapting to climate change by increasing ecosystem resilience.
The high degree of interdependence requires critical consideration of the interlinkages between climate and biodiversity. It's my job to make sure this is actioned by taking a nature-positive approach in all the projects we work on.
How are you helping clients to see the bigger picture?
By seeing nature as embedded in our economy and our health and well-being and not external to it, we're helping clients shift their thinking into one that appreciates, evidences and values biodiversity.
This helps us demonstrate the real costs of not acting to restore biodiversity and enables us to deliver projects that make tangible improvements to biodiversity and people, simultaneously addressing climate change.
We are using environmentally led and digitally supported design to include nature and harness and enhance it. We're ensuring our clients are part of a nature-positive future through collaboration, bringing together engineers and environmentalists at the earliest stage of strategic thinking and project planning.
How does your team inspire you?
Colleagues working in this area are very passionate and driven about how they can make a difference, which can be seen in everyday practice. The team is very proactive and not passive. They're always looking at ways to do things better and actively push to include biodiversity in our work.
Collaboration is vital to us, and colleagues across AtkinsRéalis are keen to learn and engage in making this world a better place. This rubs off and makes me strive to contribute daily to solving this problem.
How will you bring your passion for ENZ to life?
I'm passionate about the natural world, and I can see why it's so important that we don't destroy it. In this future of increasing temperatures and extreme weather events, we need to conserve and restore nature to make the world liveable and sustainable.
I try not to assume I know everything and be open to learning, and then challenge myself to inspire others to be innovative and to find solutions together. We need to work collaboratively to find viable and feasible solutions if we are going to achieve net zero in the timescales we need to.
What is your biggest concern about the future?
On a local scale, the Government's Brexit Freedoms Bill brings with it the prospect of de-regulation, which could lead to the stripping away of a lot of biodiversity protection in the UK, which is currently in place for a reason.
On a global scale, if we don't act now on the climate and biodiversity crises, we are heading towards a point of no return, and the future of a habitable world is at risk.
The UN declared the 2020s a decade of restoration as a push to reverse the damage to biodiversity and advocate the inclusion of nature-based solutions in project design. However, progress is slow, and we need not let this decade pass without action.
The issue of global inequality also needs to be addressed more prominently. As stated by the UN, "The impacts of climate change will not be borne equally or fairly, between rich and poor, women and men, and older and younger generations."
The problem is that those most responsible for climate change are relatively insulated from its impacts, and those who have contributed least are likely to feel the effects most significantly.
As a global company, we have a moral responsibility to avoid widening this gap, so we must ensure that our projects leave no one behind.
What makes you confident that AtkinsRéalis can make a tangible difference?
AtkinsRéalis has joined a campaign urging world governments to require all large businesses and financial institutions to assess and disclose their impacts and dependencies on nature by 2030.
The 'Make It Mandatory' campaign is led by Business For Nature, a global coalition of business and conservation organizations. It was launched ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) to be held in Montreal this December.
It's heartening to see AtkinsRéalis take a lead on this and push for the disclosure of the industry's impact on nature. Understanding the scale of the issue and the risks and dependencies involved allows us to help clients take the right action to be nature-positive, which will ultimately benefit biodiversity, people and the climate.
We're hiring. Join us to build a future where we all can thrive together: search live opportunities.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
![Blueprints and a hard hat on a table with hands writing over the blueprints.](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/gCtvIzX4lkgElwjcrKkQGQ/75/shutterstock_1807436797-min.jpg)
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2024
Summary
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is on track to become a global tech hub centered around innovation and digital entrepreneurship. Vision 2030 has already made waves in transforming the nation’s
![A picture of Shaila smiling in a pink jacket](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/Fs4sXhd4S0XBCwjcq4c3aQ/75/Shaila+TN+3.png)
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/24/2024
Summary
Hello! I'm Shaila, Associate Director and IT Business Partner at AtkinsRéalis in India. I lead diverse projects, nurture teams, and champion equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I). Using my
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![Picture of Wannacha smiling in a white shirt.](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/cZibr30WnEaV9AjcqrybMA/75/WANNACHA_TN.png)
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/23/2024
Summary
Hello! My name is Wannacha, and I joined AtkinsRéalis in Seoul in early 2024 as a process engineer. I'm proud to bring a unique blend of technical expertise and my own cultural insight
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![A picture of Adam Brooks in a suit smiling.](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/NqMOvndEIk_fNQjcqnc8-w/75/Adam+Brooks+-+TN.png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/23/2024
Summary
Hello, I'm Adam. And, remarkably, I'm nearing my 40th anniversary with AtkinsRéalis! What started as an ‘apprentice’ as a trainee straight out of school has evolved into a fulfilling career, w
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![Photo of Mahalakshmi with the AtkinsRéalis logo](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/np3xO56nN0OfAwjcqnc8-w/75/Mahalakshmi+TN+(1).png)
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/23/2024
Summary
Hi, my name is Mahalakshmi. I'm an Associate Group Data Architect at AtkinsRéalis and a mother of two. I began my career in September 2010 at Infosys before moving on to a longer stint
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![Close up hand signing contract with pen](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/sO_H58P5iUnIiwjcqgqs_A/75/shutterstock_1286215696-min.jpg)
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/22/2024
Summary
In 2021, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) inaugurated the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI), a collaborative regional approach to address climate change. The goals of this
![Graphic representation of faces in different colours.](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/A3iXatQHh0g6wQjcpU9v8w/75/TT50+(1).png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/16/2024
Summary
Fantastic news: AtkinsRéalis has been named one of The Times' Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024! This prestigious honor shows how dedicated everyone at our organization is to promot
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![A Picture of Jo smiling outdoors.](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/TIMW30C24kg6wwjcpU9v8w/75/Jo_tn2+(1).png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/16/2024
Summary
My name is Jo, and I'm a nuclear safety engineer at AtkinsRéalis. My primary role is to provide engineering and safety advice during the design and operation of nuclear facilities and for the
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![Construction projects in Riyadh - the city from an aerial view](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/GMVm1QEtGEHPsQjaDNNiZg/75/Riyadh.jpg)
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/12/2024
Summary
Skip to Quantity Surveying jobs in Riyadh The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is in the midst of a period of economic and sustainability-led transformation. Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud (MBS)
![Photo of Jo smiling for the camera](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/i7X_O905VkVDXAjcoieojA/75/JO+TN+(1).png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/11/2024
Summary
Hello! My name is Jo. As a Nuclear Safety Engineer at AtkinsRéalis, my experience so far has seen me work across various project lifecycles - from generic design assessments to nuclear new bui
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![Picture of Mei smiling in front of a screen.](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/kMLdoAfTNU6hLQjcpIXZ2Q/75/Mei+1.png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/11/2024
Summary
I'm Mei, a chartered engineer with extensive experience in water and wastewater engineering projects in the UK and internationally. I’m the Water Sector Lead and Project Director in AtkinsRéal
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
![A Picture of Paul smiling.](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481103/43cc2251-abc6-42a6-bf07-36e410f33bf7/2023.17000.2547/img/RBMGnUs9gkJQ5gjcoHiKiQ/75/paul+miller+(2).png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/10/2024
Summary
Hello. My name is Paul, and I'm the Practice Director for Risk at AtkinsRéalis. Risk management is a dynamic field where problem solvers thrive on keeping projects and programmes secure and on
![](/Blob/img/user_no_image.jpg)
by
Shailaja Mantha
AtkinsRéalis
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more