Integrating Environmental Sustainability into Civil and Geotechnical Design for Energy Infrastructure

The global shift towards sustainable development has placed increasing emphasis on the integration of environmental sustainability within the design, construction, and management of civil and geotechnical infrastructure supporting the energy sector. Traditional design philosophies primarily focused on structural integrity and economic efficiency are being fundamentally re-evaluated in light of climate imperatives, material scarcity, and environmental degradation. This research investigates the incorporation of environmental management and sustainability principles into the geotechnical and civil design of energy-related works, with particular focus on containment and access structures such as tank bund walls, landfill cells, and access roads. These facilities, while essential for energy production and waste management, have historically posed significant ecological risks through material inefficiency, emissions, and contamination potential. The study provides an evidence-based framework for integrating environmental sustainability into the engineering decisionmaking process by analyzing three interrelated dimensions: (i) the transition from bituminous to concrete bund walls and its