Bridging Design and Decarbonization for a Greener Tomorrow
In an age where climate risks are no longer theoretical but experienced daily—from floods to extreme heat—our infrastructure plays a critical role in shaping the planet’s future. On March 20, 2025, the SIERA Academy Impact Series webinar addressed this urgency head-on. Titled “Building for the Future: How Sustainable Infrastructure is Key to Climate Protection,” the session brought together thought leaders and practitioners to discuss actionable strategies for aligning infrastructure with climate resilience.
The webinar was opened by Dr. Igor Gladkov and featured keynote presentations by Catharina Püffel (seecon Ingenieuregesellschaft) and Christopher Oertel (seecon Ingenieuregesellschaft), followed by a live Q&A. Catharina discussed the systemic challenges posed by climate change, such as heat islands, embodied carbon, and water scarcity, while Christopher presented the Parkstadt Dösen Leipzig case study, detailing technical solutions for decentralized rainwater management and flood resilience.
The Challenge: Infrastructure in a Warming World
Infrastructure is both a driver of emissions and a victim of climate change. Buildings, roads, and utilities contribute up to 79% of global emissions when including embodied and operational carbon. Meanwhile, these systems are increasingly vulnerable to heatwaves, flooding, droughts, and soil instability.
According to Himanshu Ranjan, today’s design decisions will lock in emissions and risk for the next 50–100 years. “The infrastructure we build now will determine the resilience and sustainability of generations to come,” he emphasized.
Key Risks:
- Embodied Carbon: Traditional materials like cement and steel account for significant CO₂ emissions.
- Operational Inefficiency: Older buildings and systems consume excessive energy.
- Climate Exposure: Many structures are unprepared for future climate extremes.
- Urban Heat Islands: Dense cities without green buffers worsen heat impacts.
- Regulatory Gaps: Many projects still don’t meet CSRD and ESRS sustainability criteria.
Regulation as Opportunity: CSRD & ESRS in Infrastructure
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are transforming infrastructure planning from a compliance burden into an opportunity for sustainable innovation.
Himanshu highlighted how these frameworks push companies to disclose:
- GHG emissions and reduction targets
- Physical climate risks and adaptation measures
- Use of sustainable materials and nature-based solutions
- Circularity, waste, and biodiversity protection
| ESRS Standard | Infrastructure Contribution |
| ESRS E1 | Low-carbon materials, passive design, renewable energy integration |
| ESRS E2 | Pollution control during construction and operational phases |
| ESRS E3 | Water efficiency, sustainable drainage, and greywater reuse |
| ESRS E4 | Urban green space, biodiversity corridors, nature-based planning |
| ESRS E5 | Resource-efficient design, building reuse, cradle-to-cradle material strategies |
Panelist Markus Lehner emphasized the role of early design-phase engagement: “If we consider sustainability from the start, we can prevent high retrofitting costs later.”
Solutions from the Ground Up: Building Sustainably
Catharina Püffel’s keynote brought into focus the necessity of rethinking infrastructure from the ground up. She stressed that sustainable development is not merely a technical pursuit—it is a deeply systemic challenge that demands early planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the prioritization of ecological resilience. Rather than relying solely on high-tech solutions, her approach emphasized common-sense urbanism backed by data, science, and policy integration.
Using compelling visual examples, she illustrated how climate challenges—such as flooding, rising temperatures, and extreme rainfall—require context-specific solutions. For instance, heat islands in cities can be mitigated with green corridors and reflective materials. Rainwater, traditionally treated as waste, can be harnessed through sponge city techniques that store, filter, and redistribute water.
Catharina introduced a guiding framework built on three hierarchical action principles:
- Avoid: The most sustainable impact is the one never made—so avoid unnecessary land sealing, infrastructure expansion, and emissions.
- Reduce: Opt for low-impact materials, minimal interventions, and energy-efficient systems that lower the carbon footprint.
- Compensate: If impacts are unavoidable, they must be transparently measured and compensated through biodiversity restoration, ecological design, or offset programs.
This hierarchy mirrors the EU’s ‘Do No Significant Harm’ principle and acts as a compass for planners, architects, and city authorities seeking to deliver meaningful, future-proof infrastructure. Catharina’s presentation set the tone for the webinar—firmly rooting technical progress in ecological and ethical foundations.
The webinar outlined practical strategies to reduce emissions and improve resilience throughout infrastructure lifecycles. Himanshu and the panel explored how technology, materials, and governance come together.
Key Levers of Sustainable Infrastructure:
- Low-Carbon Materials
- Substituting conventional cement with geopolymers or fly ash-based products
- Hybrid timber-concrete systems for structural efficiency
- Integrated Energy Systems
- Net-zero energy buildings, solar panels, and district heating grids
- Energy modeling tools to simulate efficiency during planning
- Nature-Based Solutions
- Green roofs, urban forests, and bioswales for climate adaptation
- Multifunctional landscapes that support water retention and biodiversity
- Smart Technology & Digital Tools
- SustainSuite for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions tracking, aligned with CSRD
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) for energy, carbon, and cost optimization
Anna Lena Müller urged urban planners to integrate resilience and beauty: “Design is about responsibility. If it’s not sustainable, it’s not good design.”
Case Study: Parkstadt Dösen Leipzig – A Climate-Positive Urban Quarter
In his presentation, Christopher Oertel from seecon Ingenieuregesellschaft showcased Parkstadt Dösen as a forward-looking, climate-responsive urban development in Leipzig. The project transforms a former hospital site into a sustainable, mixed-use urban quarter.
A highlight of the webinar was the presentation of Parkstadt Dösen in Leipzig—a redevelopment of a former hospital into a model urban quarter.
Why It Matters:
- Holistic Climate Strategy: Carbon-neutral mobility, efficient energy systems, and water-sensitive design
- Biodiversity Focus: Habitat integration, urban tree planting, and ecological buffer zones
- Social Integration: Public involvement in planning and co-creation of public spaces
- Transparency: Continuous reporting on progress and alignment with EU Taxonomy and CSRD
Christian Studer called it a “living example of how to bring urban development and planetary boundaries into harmony.”
Opportunities for Stakeholders
Speakers agreed that the climate infrastructure transition is not just an obligation—it’s an opportunity.
| Stakeholder | Benefit |
| Municipalities | Resilient, livable cities; reduced disaster risk |
| Developers | Market differentiation and higher asset value |
| Businesses | CSRD readiness, brand value, cost savings from efficiency |
| Citizens | Healthier environments, lower energy bills, better mobility options |
The discussion concluded with a call for political continuity and education. Markus Lehner stressed: “Let’s stop building what we know and start building what we need.”
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Stay updated on future events. For more insights and information on our upcoming SIERA Impact Series Webinars, explore the Event Calendar. Lear more and register for our free to join digital events.
Take the Next Step with SIERA
At SIERA Alliance, we believe infrastructure must do more than stand the test of time—it must actively support climate protection, ecosystem integrity, and community resilience. As shown throughout this webinar, real climate action starts with planning, data, and strategic execution.
Our engineering and ESG experts offer hands-on, interdisciplinary support for:
- Planning and certifying climate-neutral infrastructure projects
- Regenerating brownfield areas through circular and nature-based strategies
- Identifying and mitigating physical climate risks through adaptive planning
- Through our tools like SustainSuite and advisory services, we bridge the gap between policy and implementation. Book a free demo now.
We help municipalities, businesses, and developers translate vision into actionable outcomes—building infrastructure that’s smarter, greener, and future-ready.
Let’s move from ambition to implementation—together. Get in touch with SIERA Advisors today and take the next step toward sustainable, impact-driven infrastructure.
