Understanding sustainability with Teletrac Navman

French says governance and embracing technology are key to sustainable project delivery.

As James French, Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman writes, achieving sustainability has never been more important, for both industry and the wider population.

Sustainability continues to be a hot topic, and with the election this year, the talk of change and progress is higher than ever.

Understanding the term sustainability is the first step toward having a measurable impact. Though an all-encompassing definition hasn’t been nailed down, the United Nations defines it as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

For businesses working on roads and community infrastructure, that translates to more than just completing the project on time and within budget. It means achieving the project goals while minimising the impact on the environment and the local community now and for future generations. The good news is that with advancements in technology, sustainable projects are more achievable than you may think — and they benefit everyone.

It’s all about balance

In the past, businesses have focused on the environmental aspect of sustainability while overlooking the other intertwined elements.

Being ‘green’ is good, but it only represents a single step down the sustainability path; aiming for carbon-neutral operations and working toward net zero is crucial for reducing the impact not just on the environment, but on communities and cultures.

Sustainability means businesses need to ensure the health, safety, and livelihoods of local communities are protected, and the continuity of cultural land and sites of cultural significance are protected while preserving natural ecosystems. At the end of the day, infrastructure is built to benefit the community.

So, the success and sustainability of a project rely on how well it serves the locals, how well it’s perceived and how it will be used for years to come.

Finding the balance between getting a job done efficiently and doing it sustainably — all while staying cost-effective — can seem like a tricky line to walk. Demonstrating your business’s dedication to sustainability and sharing the knowledge and processes you’ve used to achieve sustainability goals is not only beneficial for the environment and community, it also presents a huge opportunity to win tenders and give you a competitive edge.

It doesn’t have to require a huge effort on your behalf, it just means considering and implementing the more sustainable options for the project at hand. The decisions you make today will have a positive effect on the future of sustainability.

The first step is sound governance, which is key to fostering sustainability. Governance can create sustainable values and provide a framework for businesses to achieve goals across the four main pillars of sustainability — society, environment, culture, and economy. The second step is embracing various technologies to achieve these goals.

James French, Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman says the decisions businesses make today will have a positive effect on the future of sustainability.

Technology can help

There have been numerous advancements and changes in the construction industry that are helping businesses decarbonise and improve environmental outcomes.

Innovations like earth-friendly concrete have been welcomed, and building with lower carbon materials like timber or using recycled content wherever possible has been encouraged. Reducing the quantity of materials used — by using higher quality materials that last longer — is also a significant factor in improving environmental sustainability and reaching net zero targets.

However, improving the other areas of sustainability requires something more — and technology is stepping up to help. For job sites, using telematics solutions like AI-powered vehicle and equipment management solutions streamline and automate processes and communication.

Technology minimises the risk of mistakes and reduces the time spent working on a project. With smart technology, trucks carrying waste or construction materials can be directed to use the best routes that are fit for purpose, thereby reducing noise, congestion, and pollution in the area.

The result? Improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, fewer wasted materials, and ultimately less impact on local communities, ecosystems, and the economy.

Additionally, telematics capture data that can help guide businesses to meet standards and work within sustainability frameworks. If certain areas are lacking, the technology can help identify where these businesses can improve.

As a bonus, the data collected generates objective evidence to prove a business’s sustainability efforts, an important factor in winning and running large scale community-based projects. Businesses can then use the data as a learning tool to improve the sustainability of future projects and share this knowledge with others.

It’s a win-win-win

Sustainable projects are a triple win: they benefit business, local communities, and the environment. Using the latest technology to streamline projects and improve communication can reduce the time spent on a project and minimise the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impact. Innovative solutions collect valuable data to guide sustainability efforts and offer evidence to give your business a competitive advantage.

Being sustainable isn’t about just ‘being green’, it’s a way to ensure everyone benefits from a project, not just in the short term but for generations to come.

This article was originally published in the June edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.

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