Insights for what's next

Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.

475 items
crossrail train
Report

Net Zero Rail: The U.K.'s network of the future

The U.K.’s rail industry faces an intensive period of infrastructure upgrade and new delivery. This paper provides insight and solutions on seizing the opportunity to help the industry deliver passenger first and net zero outcomes.

train
Report

The Integrated Rail Plan

Released following COP26, the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the Midlands and the North of England sets out the investment in an integrated rail network across large parts of the U.K. However, this is just the start in delivering the outcomes needed by the plan of regeneration, improvement and "levelling up". To realize these ambitions, what needs to happen next?

woman on train
Report

Fast Rail: A Catalyst for Growing Regions

Jacobs has released a new paper titled: Fast rail – A catalyst for growth in the regions. The paper explores how fast rail connections can benefit regional economies and populations, beyond providing improved connections to jobs, opportunities, activities and services in nearby capital cities.

looking at a cityscape through a forest
Report

A Better Way: Transforming the delivery of U.K. infrastructure

Jacobs has released a new paper titled: A Better Way: Transforming the delivery of U.K. infrastructure. The paper outlines six areas where change in the delivery of major infrastructure programs can be achieved in a timely, targeted way to help the U.K. Government fulfil the ambitions it set out in its infrastructure investment plan.

Water for life cover
Report

Water for Life

Water for Life: Why valuing water in all its forms is key to thriving and resilient communities explores why the water system must consider water in all its forms – and the economic, social and environmental systems that depend on it – to better navigate the increased pressures of climate change and rapid urbanization and enhance resilience in our communities.

Aviation-Hydrogen-White-Paper
Report

Airports as catalysts for decarbonization

Airport owners and operators need to plan for the delivery and storage of hydrogen now if they are to be ready to fuel hydrogen-powered aircraft which are expected by 2035. New research by Jacobs, "Airports as Catalysts for Decarbonization", provides a roadmap for airports to implement to begin preparing for hydrogen fueling technologies, building on our work for the Aeronautical Technology Institute FlyZero Report, “ Airports, Airlines and Airspace - Operations and Hydrogen Infrastructure”. Due to the length of time it takes to plan, design, consult and implement new airport infrastructure, airports must make provisions ahead of the first commercially available hydrogen-powered aircraft expected in the early to mid-2030s. To help airports transition, Jacobs evaluated three scenarios for the supply and storage of hydrogen at an airport: Scenario 1 - the delivery of liquid hydrogen directly to the airport by truck. Scenario 2 - the use of a hydrogen gas pipeline with on-site liquefaction. Scenario 3 - the use of electrolysis for hydrogen production on site at the airport.

Why Quality Must Be Our Priority
Report

Powering the future: Why net zero carbon buildings aren’t enough

Gain insights behind this powerful shift, written by industry experts Adam Selvey, Jacobs and Ahmad Makkieh, Schneider Electric, and discover how Net Zero Carbon Power offers a scalable, future-ready path to decarbonizing our built environment. As the U.K. pushes toward its Clean Power 2030 targets, significant work is underway to decarbonize our buildings in a bid to reduce both operational and embodied emissions. However, the grid supporting these buildings is aging and under growing pressure. Up to 67% of grid supply points sit at or near capacity; we face a massive challenge: growing peak demand from electric heating, electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable generation is overwhelming a system never designed to handle it. The answer isn’t just to use less energy. It means using energy differently. Introducing Net Zero Carbon Power This new approach redefines how buildings interact with the grid. Direct current (DC) microgrids, local energy storage and smart load management allow buildings to: Eliminate inefficiencies caused by outdated alternating current (AC) infrastructure Cut energy loss by up to 20% with DC-ready technologies Slash project timelines and infrastructure costs Reduce dependence on a slow-moving grid Make buildings active contributors to energy stability Why DC? Why now? Today’s renewable sources and digital devices run on DC. Each time energy converts between AC and DC, losses increase and costs rise. Hybrid AC/DC microgrids address this issue. These systems store off-peak energy, power DC equipment directly and accelerate decarbonization without the long wait for large-scale grid upgrades. About the authors Adam Selvey

Aerial view of energy storage power station
Big Questions

How do we build resilient energy systems?

At Jacobs, we’re reshaping how energy is generated, moved, stored and used — accelerating decarbonization while strengthening energy security. We work with clients to accelerate and strengthen energy resilience. That means advancing low-carbon technologies — from sustainable fuels and carbon capture to long-duration storage and advanced nuclear — and integrating them into systems that work in the real world, at scale. The future of energy isn’t a single shift from one technology to another. It’s a connected system spanning generation, networks, transport, infrastructure and regulation. Low Carbon Solutions Director Alan Fotheringham enables clients to understand those connections — and design for them — so today’s decisions strengthen long-term performance. Alan works with clients to reduce complexity, optimize investment and make more efficient use of renewables, storage and energy networks. This integrated approach lowers total system costs band accelerates delivery and reduces risk. For many organizations, committing to net zero is just the beginning. Energy assets often take years to develop and are expected to operate for decades — yet turning ambition into action can be overwhelming. Alan bridges the gap between ambition and execution, guiding clients from opportunity to commercially viable programs that can stand up to real-world constraints. That systems-based thinking matters most in sectors where decarbonization options are limited or still emerging. In aviation, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offers one of the most immediate pathways to lower emissions. SAF can cut emissions by 60-80%, making it one of the most immediate levers available to decarbonize aviation. Alan works

Alan Fotheringham
Sea spray and waves hitting coastal walkway
Report

Coastal erosion and climate change

Climate change is a global problem that will result in severe consequences at the coast. Strategic coastal planning, management and adaptation are key to mitigating future losses and ensuring that coastal development and communities are sustainable in the long-term.

CSO paper preview-brighter
Report

How can we use nature and data to help solve our environmental, climate and affordability crises?

Solving our environmental, climate and affordability trilemma requires bringing together two factors that could be considered opposing ends of the spectrum: sustainable nature-based approaches and cutting-edge data- and technology-enabled solutions. This paper defines the trilemma and the impacts on the CSOs challenge, then discusses the art of the possible for these novel approaches and the potential regulatory, societal and technological shifts required to empower these solutions.

  • Future Foundations

    Co-creating the world to come

    From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.

    As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future. 

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