FIDIC Global Leadership Forum Summit 2025

The FIDIC Global Leadership Forum Summit is an invitation-only gathering of 100 senior leaders from the global infrastructure sector. The event provides a platform for executives from government, finance, engineering, construction, and academia to engage in discussions on major challenges facing the industry.

Taking place on 10-11 April at the Thompson Madrid by Hyatt in Madrid, this year’s summit will focus on the pace of progress in sustainability, digital transformation, and workforce development. Key discussions will explore how the sector can collaborate more effectively to accelerate decarbonisation, integrate AI into infrastructure projects, and bridge gaps in the supply chain to improve sustainable construction practices.

EDHEC Climate Institute Participation

On 10 April, Rob Arnold, Sustainability Research Director, EDHEC Climate Institute, will be participating in the “Industry Research” session. This session will provide valuable insights into sustainability research and the future of infrastructure, highlighting key findings from the latest work conducted by the ACEC Research Institute and the EDHEC Climate Institute (ECI).

Session Overview

The session will feature insights from ACEC and ECI, with Rob Arnold delivering a 20-minute presentation on:

Climate Tech project and the infraTech 2050 database, an initiative developed by EDHEC Climate Institute to assess and compare the costs and effectiveness of strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing infrastructure resilience against extreme weather events. The infraTech 2050 databae provides a systematic evaluation of technologies and strategies for decarbonising and strengthening resilience of 101 infrastructure asset subclasses with granular information.
How infrastructure investors, asset managers, and operators can quantify climate-related risks, evaluate mitigation strategies, and align assets with a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

Key Discussion Points:

How to protect infrastructure assets in a decarbonising economy and against increasing extreme weather threats.
The role of consultant engineers and organisations in leveraging technology-driven solutions for climate risk mitigation.

Speakers and Facilitator

Rob Arnold, Sustainability Research Director, EDHEC Climate Institute
Michael J. Carragher, Chair and CEO, VHB (USA), Chair ACEC Research Institute
Steve Lefton, President and CEO, Kimley-Horn (USA), Incoming Chair, ACEC Research Institute

Facilitator:

Sara Lipscombe, FIDIC Advisor

For more information, visit the FIDIC Global Leadership Forum Summit website.

Date

Thursday 10/04/2025 - Friday 11/04/2025

Place

Thompson Madrid, by Hyatt, Madrid

About EDHEC

Operating from campuses in Lille, Nice, Paris, London and Singapore, EDHEC is one of the world’s top 15 business schools. Fully international and directly connected to the business world, EDHEC commands a strong reputation for research excellence and the ability to train entrepreneurs and managers capable of breaking new ground. EDHEC functions as a genuine laboratory of ideas and produces innovative solutions valued by businesses. The School’s teaching is inspired by its research work and a focus on “learning by doing”, all with the aim of equipping people with the skills to succeed in business.

About EDHEC Climate Institute

Reflecting EDHEC Business School’s strategic commitment to sustainability and climate finance, the EDHEC-Risk Climate Impact Institute has evolved into the EDHEC Climate Institute (ECI), consolidating the School’s expertise in climate-related financial research and decision-making. ECI’s mission is to support private and public decision-makers in managing climate-related financial risks and leveraging financial tools to transition to a low-emission, climate-resilient economy. The Institute strengthens its recognised expertise in physical and transition risks, with a particular focus on supply chain emissions (Scope 3), consumer choices, and emerging technologies, while continuing to serve as a leading academic reference for long-term investors.