Mott MacDonald joins Powering Past Coal Alliance

Global engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald has joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA). The consultancy will work in partnership with the alliance and the wider energy and engineering industry, deploying its expertise and knowledge to support the transition to renewable and green forms of energy.

Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing humanity. The science is clear on the imperative to contain greenhouse gas emissions and keep global warming below 1.5°C. In delivering that goal, however, further progress is needed to ensure the world’s poorest communities have access to electricity.

The PPCA brings together a coalition of national and sub-national governments, businesses, and organisations, to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy. To achieve its goals, commitment and investment by governments and financial institutions is required, but it equally needs informed technical expertise and guidance from companies that understand the solutions and alternatives to coal fired generation. Through the alliance, members provide mutual support and learning by sharing best practice and experience.

Denise Bower, Mott MacDonald executive director, said: “Joining the PPCA fits very well with our own climate goals: to help our business and our clients achieve net zero. Our company is already at the forefront of this global challenge, and we are pivoting towards supporting the creation of low carbon and zero carbon infrastructure, as well as improving the environmental performance of existing infrastructure.”

As a leading proponents of energy transition, Mott MacDonald is working with governments, institutions, regulators and clients to enable and develop responsible solutions that meet increasing demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The consultancy is involved in a wide range of projects facilitating energy transition across areas such as offshore wind, the creation of low carbon hydrogen hubs, and the transition of electricity grids to low and zero carbon.

“There are several steps to achieving net zero and for many countries it is not immediately possible to replace coal with renewable solutions. Providing solutions for the transition period, which for many could easily be 20 years, is an important part of our business, and an area where we are working closely with financial institutions to look at issues like compliance. Becoming part of the PPCA provides another opportunity to collaborate and share best practice, as we seek collectively to accelerate the transition to clean energy,” Denise added.

Mott MacDonald is committed to decarbonising its own business as well. Last year, the consultancy became the first in its class to be independently certified as carbon neutral. The consultancy has also joined Race To Zero; a United Nations initiative to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery.