Empowering Sustainable Development Goals At Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems shifts focus from reducing environmental harm to actively enhancing positive impacts through infrastructure software aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing digital twins and circular principles.
Bentley Systems has expanded its sustainability approach beyond traditional ESG metrics by introducing the concept of a 'handprint' to measure the positive contributions of its software in infrastructure sectors. The company argues that sustainable infrastructure requires balancing economic, environmental, and social outcomes to ensure resilience and inclusivity for all stakeholders. Bentley’s products are designed to help professionals create and maintain infrastructure that is both sustainable and resilient, addressing immediate climate challenges. The initiative aligns with the company’s broader impact strategy, which includes environmental, social, and governance dimensions.
The company highlights the urgent need for rapid transformation in infrastructure to combat climate change, positioning digital twin solutions as critical enablers. Bentley notes that while emerging technologies require investment, existing low-cost and mature solutions can deliver quick wins, such as optimizing design to reduce material use and carbon footprints. Digital twins are also identified as key tools for accelerating the clean energy transition, particularly in urban areas where 70% of greenhouse gas emissions originate.
Bentley emphasizes the adoption of circular principles to reduce waste and pollution, circulate materials at their highest value, and regenerate natural systems. The company points to responsible mining and efficient water cycle management as examples of increasing infrastructure circularity. These strategies aim to address the fact that at least 85% of the global population has already been affected by climate change and extreme weather events, with infrastructure construction and operations contributing significantly to emissions.
The report underscores the shift in infrastructure resilience from a long-term goal to an immediate priority, driven by the increasing frequency of climate-related disruptions. Bentley and the Global Resilience Partnership have developed a free learning resource to help professionals adopt resilience thinking, based on the Resilience Science Must-Knows report. The course provides a practical framework for navigating a changing risk landscape, addressing barriers in strategy, climate risk management, and financial and technical limitations.