Our experience covers water resource management, biodiversity surveys, wildlife conservation, soil erosion and rural development.
We've worked on natural resource development projects since the construction of the Aswan Dam in the early 20th century which unlocked Egypt’s agricultural potential. Today, our wide-ranging work – undertaking catchment management in China, biodiversity surveys and planning in post-war Iraq and strategic environmental assessment of fisheries in the UK – means that Mott MacDonald is a key partner for government, development and conservation organisations globally.
Conservation
Sustainable resource development
Natural resources provide valuable economic and social benefits when sustainably developed with respect for the environment. We've carried out a ground-breaking strategic biodiversity survey of the main oil-producing areas of Iraq for an oil developer client, with a focus on wetlands and the aquatic environment. We also helped our UK client, Anglian Water, design and build a new bird reserve at Rutland Water to complement its strategic Wing Water Supply Project.
Aquatic environmental management
The aquatic environment is particularly sensitive to harm caused by the growth of urban and agricultural development. Through our work in the UK, we are leaders in relating changes in water abstraction and wastewater discharges to actual impacts on wetlands and surface water ecology. This has helped our water company clients to meet their obligations under European legislation in an evidence-based and cost-effective manner.
Climate change adaptation
Our changing climate adds impacts on natural resources to those of economic development. In the UK, we've advised water companies on long term reductions in water resources, and helped local authorities and environmental regulators plan for increased flooding risks, including from coastal inundation. In Bangladesh, we've increased the resilience of coastal communities to greater flood risks and saline water encroachment into freshwater fisheries. In India, we've advised farmers on adapting agricultural practices to changing climate.
Services
- Agricultural and rural development
- Catchment management and river basin planning
- Climate change adaptation
- Coastal and marine environments
- Conservation planning
- Biodiversity assessment and surveys
- Ecological assessment and surveys
- Environmental impact assessment
- Fish and fisheries
- Flood risk management
- Mining and mineral extraction
- Oil and gas development
- Water resources management