Climate Change Business Journal Features Golder

Aug 8, 2012

Golder Associates, a global consulting, design and construction services organisation, was included in the June/July 2012 issue of the Climate Change Business Journal (CCBJ), in a lengthy article outlining the growing market for climate risk analysis around the world and in various industries.

Sean Capstick, principal in Golder's Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, office, was interviewed by CCBJ, a San Diego, California-based business research publication, about Golder's increasing activity in climate change services. Sean said that Golder has been doing this type of assessment for some time, by using climate data in the pre-feasibility and feasibility stages of design and engineering work for clients.

Considering weather variability can "show that the project ... is a robust design that is resilient to change," Sean said.

He added that that much of Golder's work is "driven by external forces, including climate change impact reporting within Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and financial disclosure requirements," particularly for mining clients.  He said it is a top-of-mind issue for the mining sector, given their global reach, extreme locations, and need for closure plans that will span many decades.

Also quoted in the article is Catherine Hughes, an environmental scientist for Golder in Johannesburg, South Africa, who talked about Golder's role in understanding climate risk and vulnerability about such things as sea level rise for other South African municipalities like Durban and Cape Town.

Golder's work, not only in defining possible impacts on all elements from infrastructure to human health, but also in recommending mitigation and adaptation strategies, is useful in future planning scenarios for these governments.

The CCBJ article points out that Golder is working with the South African Water Research Commission (WRD) on ways to best use the natural ecosystem, including wetlands to mitigate flooding, to offset climate change effects.

Eutrophication, or the increasing occurrence of algae blooms in the country's waterways due to phosphates and nitrates, can be exacerbated by climate change. Golder is modelling the potential for such effects with university researchers and looking at what government and private interests can do to help prevent and reduce the presence of algae-causing substances. All of these efforts in South Africa, Catherine said, are a way for Golder "to differentiate itself as a company."

To access the entire Golder interview in the CCBJ article, click here.

About Golder Associates

Golder Associates is a respected, employee-owned, global organisation providing consulting, design, and construction services in our specialist areas of earth, environment, and the related areas of energy. From 180 offices worldwide, our more than 8,000 employees work with clients to manage their environmental and engineering activities in a technically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible manner.

For more information on Golder's climate change services:

Sean Capstick
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Ph: +1 (905) 567 1600 ext. 1145
Email: scapstick@golder.com

Catherine Hughes
Johannesburg, South Africa
Ph: +27 (11) 254 4800
Email: chughes@golder.com

Media Contact:
Golder Associates Corporation
Lea Chambers
Global Marketing Leader
Ph: +1 (770) 496-1893
Cell: (404) 956-4470
Email: lchambers@golder.com

 

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