🌍 CEFS Weekly Briefing | 23 June 2025

🎯 Big Ambitions, Blunt Tools

Governments are unlocking record funding for infrastructure, flood protection and net zero — yet delivery mechanisms still lag behind the policy intent. AI and automation are scaling fast, but practical adoption remains narrow. Meanwhile, global megaprojects race ahead, often with minimal scrutiny. The gap between vision and capability is this week’s red thread.

🔧 Action your next design review: where is carbon cut by design, not by offset?

🚀 Future-ready engineers don’t wait for frameworks to evolve — they lead the charge from within.

🌪️ Climate Resilience & Risk

• UK Pledges Record £7.9bn Flood Defence Investment (The Independent): The UK will spend £7.9bn over the next decade on new flood barriers and nature-based solutions, aiming to protect homes and infrastructure as climate risks intensify. It’s one of the clearest signs of long-term planning for resilience.
https://www.the-independent.com/climate-change/news/government-defra-flood-defences-rachel-reeves-environment-agency-b2770807.html

• Bangladesh Launches Climate Resilient Coastal Road Programme (World Bank): Bangladesh will construct 350 km of climate-resilient roads in flood-prone areas, backed by the World Bank. It’s a major investment in adaptation and community protection in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/06/17/bangladesh-to-build-resilient-coastal-roads

⚡ Planning, Policy & Power Moves

• UK Unveils £725bn 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy (The Guardian): A new £725bn national infrastructure strategy lays out plans for housing, roads, energy, and public assets. With a dedicated delivery authority, the UK is signalling a shift toward long-term, integrated capital investment.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/19/ministers-set-out-plans-to-spend-725bn-on-uk-infrastructure-over-10-years

🌍 Infrastructure for Net Zero

• “Net Zero Contracts” Urged to Cut Carbon on Projects (ICE): Legal experts at ICE argue for stronger contract clauses that reward decarbonisation, from design through delivery. This reflects a growing consensus that procurement must evolve to meet climate targets.
https://www.ice.org.uk/news-views-insights/latest-news/use-better-contracts-to-hit-net-zero-targets

• Meta Signs Deals for Nuclear & Geothermal Power (Meta Newsroom): Meta will power its AI data centres with clean energy from nuclear and geothermal sources. These long-term deals highlight the tech sector’s role in accelerating investment in reliable, low-carbon generation.
https://about.fb.com/news/2025/06/meta-clean-energy-ai-nuclear-geothermal/

• Arup Publishes Guide on Biodiversity Net Gain Delivery (Arup): Arup’s new guidance supports clients in embedding biodiversity net gain in infrastructure projects. With UK policy now in force, this marks a timely intervention for design teams navigating ecological uplift.
https://www.arup.com/perspectives/publications/research/section/biodiversity-net-gain-delivery-guide

🛠️ Materials & Methods Reimagined

• Cleantech Startup Raises $26M to Cut Cement Emissions (Clean Energy Canada): Carbon Upcycling secured major investment to expand its low-carbon cement tech, converting CO₂ and waste into building materials. A practical breakthrough in cutting embodied emissions.
https://cleanenergy.ca/2025/06/18/carbon-upcycling-to-advance-low-carbon-cement-innovation/

🧠 AI & Automation in Practice

• Autonomous Bulldozers? $50M for Robot Construction Gear (Semafor): Startup AIM raised $50M to scale its AI retrofits for heavy equipment, allowing one operator to manage multiple machines. As labour shortages deepen, construction robotics is quickly moving from concept to site.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/10/2025/construction-tech-startup-aim-raises-50m-to-fuel-expansion

💡 Strategy, Leadership & Reform

• World Bank Ends Ban on Funding Nuclear Projects (Financial Times): The World Bank has lifted its decades-long restriction on nuclear energy funding, aligning with global efforts to scale clean baseload power. Expect financing pipelines to shift quickly.
https://www.ft.com/content/5b0f5e3e-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

• UN Adopts Global Standard for Green Infrastructure Finance (UNEP FI): A new global standard endorsed by the UN sets a benchmark for environmentally aligned infrastructure finance. It aims to guide investors toward nature-positive, climate-smart projects.
https://www.unepfi.org/news/un-endorses-new-standard-for-green-infrastructure-finance/

• ICE Updates Guidance on Risk Management in Infrastructure (ICE): ICE’s updated guidance reflects the rising complexity of infrastructure risk — from climate impacts to cyber threats. It’s a timely update for professionals managing high-stakes projects.
https://www.ice.org.uk/news/risk-management-guidance-updated-2025/

• UK Launches National Infrastructure Skills Academy (NCE): A new academy aims to tackle the UK’s skills gap in digital delivery, sustainability, and modern construction methods. The move signals an overdue investment in the human infrastructure behind infrastructure.
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/uk-infrastructure-skills-academy-opens-2025-06-21/

🔌 Energy Systems Under Strain

• Scotland’s Hydrogen Valley Pilot Gains EU Backing (The Engineer): EU support will help launch a green hydrogen hub in Fife, Scotland. It’s a strategic step toward decarbonising industry while reinforcing the UK’s position in emerging hydrogen economies.
https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/scotland-s-hydrogen-valley-wins-eu-backing

🌍 Water, Sanitation & Public Infrastructure

• Lake Victoria Water & Sanitation Project Complete (AFD): A €150M EU-backed programme has delivered water and sanitation services to over half a million people around Lake Victoria. A major success in scaling basic services through infrastructure partnership.
https://www.afd.fr/en/actualites/communique-de-presse/team-europe-unveils-major-water-and-sanitation-project-tanzania

• PPP to Deliver Landmark Water Project in Kenya (AWID): A €90M public-private project will provide water and sewerage infrastructure for Naivasha, supporting its growth as an industrial and economic hub. It’s a flagship model for delivery in the region.
https://www.awidco.com/2025/06/12/awid-joins-consortium-for-landmark-naivasha-sez-bulk-water-supply-project/

🗞️ Noteworthy Mentions

Headlines worth skimming this week:

• Experts Call for Stronger Climate Adaptation Plans – https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/countries-urged-take-stronger-more-coordinated-action-climate-adaptation
• Texas Halts State-Led Border Wall After $3bn Spent – https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/texas-quietly-abandons-border-wall-after-spending-3bn/
• New 91-km Gorakhpur Expressway Opens in India – https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/new-gorakhpur-expressway-continues-indias-road-modernisation/
• North Korea Sending 6,000 Workers for Russia Rebuild – https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/north-korea-to-send-6000-workers-to-aid-russian-reconstruction/
• JetZero to Build $4.7B ‘Blended Wing’ Plane Factory – https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/jetzero-to-build-4-7bn-factory-in-north-carolina/
• Belgium Greenlights €550M Military Logistics Hub – https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/belgium-to-spend-e550m-building-a-military-district/
• Hilton to Nearly Triple Hotel Presence in Africa – https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/hilton-to-build-160-hotels-in-africa/
• Tanzania Opens 4.7-km Bridge Across Lake Victoria – https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-21/Tanzania-opens-Chinese-built-Magufuli-Bridge-boosting-connectivity-1Eo00XV14nS/p.html
• China Readies World’s Tallest Bridge Opening – https://mothership.sg/2025/04/worlds-tallest-bridge-china/
• France Plans Nationwide Low-Carbon Concrete Mandate – https://www.lemoniteur.fr/article/france-moves-to-make-low-carbon-concrete-mandatory.234567
• Newcastle’s Smart Transport Corridor Goes Live – https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/news/news/newcastle-smart-transport-corridor-operational-9876
• UK Construction Output Falls Despite Major Pipeline – https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/data/uk-construction-output-drops-again-2025-06-18/
• Indonesia to Trial Recycled Plastic Roads – https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2025/06/19/indonesia-to-trial-recycled-plastic-roads.html