Michael Gomes, vice president of global sustainability and CSR at Topcon Positioning Systems (Photo: Topcon Positioning Systems)

Q. What are the biggest sustainability challenges facing contractors today?

A. Beyond the need to build sustainably, one of the biggest challenges contractors face today is justifying the perceived cost of collecting and leveraging Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data.

This perception varies significantly by geography and market maturity. In regions like Europe and Asia, where clients and regulators increasingly demand transparency and accountability, there鈥檚 clear motivation to gather and act on sustainability data. But in markets where these expectations aren鈥檛 as defined, contractors may struggle to justify the investment.

Contractors are pragmatic. If ESG data collection is valued by their clients, they鈥檒l do it. The key is proving that this data not only supports compliance but also enhances long-term value by driving efficiency, reducing rework, and informing smarter decision-making.

Q. Do you think the industry is moving quickly enough toward meaningful sustainable change? What is holding it back?

A. The short answer is not yet. Change is difficult, and while some forward-thinking contractors are prioritising ESG reporting and digitalisation, the pace of transformation is still slower than what 2030 targets demand.

The industry faces headwinds from increasing global economic uncertainty and regulatory complexity, but this shouldn鈥檛 distract from the end goal. In fact, it highlights the need to continually focus on extracting value from data 鈥� value that drives smarter decisions and long-term resilience.

Ultimately, the more the industry can prove the value of data and work collaboratively with stakeholders, regulators and governments, the faster the sector will be able to move to a more sustainable future. Collaboration and proof of value are at the centre of that progression.

Q. How can digital workflows help contractors and construction professionals make a real impact in terms of sustainability?

A. It begins with the ability to measure and compare. If you want to prove you reduced fuel use or material waste, you need a digital 鈥榓s built鈥� or proof of placement layer. These records serve as the foundation for accountability, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.

By integrating these digital layers into everyday processes, contractors can demonstrate compliance, fine-tune resource allocation, and optimise planning. It鈥檚 about making sure the data collected has meaning and can be turned into actionable results.

Q. What technologies are making the biggest difference right now in improving overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness?

A. Around the world, construction is evolving 鈥� from mechanisation to automation and digitisation. While this journey looks different across regions, the goals remain the same: productivity, waste reduction, and data security.

Precision construction and advanced geomatics play a critical role in optimising these operations across a range of sectors. Beyond individual technologies and solutions, we鈥檙e particularly focused on creating secure, reliable, integrated systems that help our customers transition to digital workflows and processes without sacrificing safety or operational continuity.

These tools empower operators and site managers to work more efficiently with real-time data, make better-informed decisions, and ultimately achieve greater cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

Topcon鈥檚 stand at Bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany (Photo: Topcon Positioning Systems)

Q. Can you share any examples of how your digital workflows have improved sustainability on projects?

A. On the ground, digital workflows are helping reduce environmental impact in tangible ways 鈥� particularly when it comes to material inputs like asphalt or concrete. These materials carry a high carbon cost, so optimising their use is a clear sustainability win.

Our systems help contractors accurately measure material application, monitor consumption, and avoid overuse. The result: reduced emissions, minimised waste, and better project economics, all backed by data that鈥檚 ready to share with stakeholders or regulators.

In Germany, for example, we鈥檙e actively supporting the delivery of new infrastructure to bring sustainable power from the north to the south 鈥� and our Aptix platform is playing a key role. By enabling accurate digital workflows, Aptix is helping the project team track and reduce carbon emissions across the entire operation, down to the exact amount of diesel used.

Q. How can companies ensure digitalisation delivers a strong return on investment?

A. To unlock ROI from digitalisation, firms must start with clarity. Know what data you want to collect, why it matters to your business, and how it supports your stakeholder relationships.

Digital workflows shouldn鈥檛 be viewed as an overhead cost; they are a strategic investment. If used effectively, these different data layers and the ability to analyse and apply that data can be a differentiator in a competitive market, proving your commitment to efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

Q. Is there a role for governments and regulators in driving digital adoption? What kind of policies or incentives would help accelerate the transition?

A. Governments and regulators have a vital role to play, but success lies in collaboration, not mandates. Policies that offer incentives or transitional timelines are far more effective than blunt-force compliance requirements, and the more regulators can work with contractors and key stakeholders in the sector, the easier mass adoption of digital technology will be.

The EU鈥檚 Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive proposals are a good example. By providing a grace period for small and mid-sized firms, they allow businesses to implement change without losing competitive edge. That is the kind of pragmatic policymaking we need to see more of.

Q. Looking ahead, how do you see sustainability shaping the future of construction?

A. Sustainability will increasingly shape how we design, build, and maintain buildings and infrastructure. If done right, it should help lower overall costs, and often that means evaluating decisions over a longer time scale. For manufacturers and contractors alike, it will demand products and services that stand the test of time 鈥� and the full lifecycle of what is being built will become a key part of every project from the start.

In construction, it also means being accountable 鈥� demonstrating the quality of workmanship, the integrity of materials, and a commitment to practices that support reuse, resource efficiency, and long-term value over short-term gain.

Q. What innovations in digital workflows do you think will have the biggest impact in the next five to 10 years?

A. What excites me most is the potential for integrated workflows that coordinate tasks across phases and teams. By optimising these processes, I expect we鈥檒l see big gains in cost reduction across projects, greater resilience for sites, and a better understanding of lifecycle value.

By connecting digital layers into a single, cohesive digital twin, contractors can run predictive analytics, optimise scheduling, and reduce risk. Add machine learning into the mix and you unlock the potential for true autonomy and even AI 鈥� where jobsites change on the go to optimise processes in real time.

Q. What advice would you give to firms looking to integrate more digital solutions into their workflows to improve sustainability?

A. Start with your value proposition. What sets you apart 鈥� and how can digitisation amplify that? At Topcon, our foundation has always been precision. Now, through digitalisation, we鈥檙e transforming that precision into insight 鈥� and that insight into value. The opportunity is there for any firm willing to take the first step.