Tetra Tech: An Unsung Sustainable Hero
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Article Type
Sustainability Soapbox
Topic
Responsible Investing
Published
November 10, 2023
Read time
5 mins
Author
Adam Hussain
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The impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and irresponsible consumption are becoming increasingly evident. In parallel, water availability and resiliency are becoming ever more pressing issues. Globally, more than two billion people do not have access to safe, readily available drinking water and roughly half of the worlds population is experiencing severe water scarcity for at least part of the year. We need water to survive.

 

Water and climate change are inextricably linked. From shrinking ice sheets to unpredictable rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, floods, and droughts - most impacts of climate change ultimately come down to water. It is estimated that under a 2°C warming scenario, there would be at least a 120% increase in the number of people who would be affected by river flooding. Conversely, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that the global population exposed to extreme-to-exceptional total water storage drought will more than double from 3% to 8% and that 20% of people will experience moderate-to-severe drought during the 21st century. With a total population of 8 billion today, this would equate to an additional 400 million people experiencing extreme-to-exceptional drought conditions.

 

Addressing these challenges is of paramount importance and engineering effective conservation and mitigation solutions requires deep, technical, multi-disciplinary knowledge and expertise. In an era defined by intensifying environmental challenges, Tetra Techs capabilities as a leading, global provider of consulting and engineering services are essential to navigating the detrimental effects of climate change.

 

Water Management and Conservation: Protecting and Preserving

 

Tetra Tech has over 50 years experience providing solutions for complex water projects and have consistently been ranked #1 in Water by Engineering News-Records Top 500 Design Firms issue since 2003. They are at the forefront of addressing challenges related to water supply, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.

 

They have helped deliver successful outcomes in response to global water challenges, from innovative water reuse work in Mongolia to high-end technology solutions to address water loss in Jordan. Their groundwater replenishment and reuse solutions in California and the diversification of supplies in drought-prone Central Texas have led to more robust water supplies for these communities. They have also designed the largest ion exchange plant treating PFAS in the United States - a first-of-its-kind facility.

 

Tetra Tech has also been a source of disruptive innovation and a driver of digitisation. They can leverage their cutting-edge suite of Tetra Tech Deltadigital technologies, predictive maintenance tools, and agile capital improvement planning approaches to develop industry-leading, business intelligence solutions. Their real-time control work for municipalities uses Tetra Tech Delta technologies to minimize sewer overflows and flooding risks, providing tangible environmental and social benefits to the surrounding area.

 

Environmental Protection and Restoration: Revitalizing Damaged Ecosystems

 

Tetra Tech's expertise also extends to environmental protection and restoration through its work on ecosystem rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation. The company's services in this area include environmental impact assessments, habitat restoration, pollution prevention, and wildlife management.

 

In the United States, Tetra Tech has been involved in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the country. The bay has been suffering from polluted stormwater runoff, over-fertilization and pollution from animal waste, deforestation, and wetland destruction, leading to degraded water quality and loss of aquatic life/resources. Tetra Tech's role included advising on watershed management plans, implementing best management practices, and restoring wetlands and riparian buffers. These efforts are helping to protect and improve habitats, bolstering the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

 

Tetra Techs sustainable solutions are essential to addressing environmental challenges that will only become more acute over time. Whether its helping to provide clean water to underserved communities, restoring damaged ecosystems, or mitigating climate change; Tetra Tech plays a critical role in creating a more adapted, resilient, and secure future for all. Their ability to generate such positive, multi-faceted sustainable impact at scale is nothing short of heroic.

Important disclosure

Author

Adam Hussain
Investment Manager

Adam Hussain, investment manager, is a member of the global equities team and is responsible for supporting our global sustainable equity strategies. 

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