Grontmij proposes controversial 'greening' of Eiffel tower
05-Dec-11
Grontmij's French subsidiary, Ginger, has proposed to cover the Eiffel tower in 600,000 plants for a four-year period. It estimates that this would make the Eiffel tower a net absorber of carbon dioxide to the tune of 3.6 tonnes per annum in addition to offering other environmental benefits, such as the absorption of dust particles and reduction in noise pollution. The plan would see 378,000 extra kilograms of weight added to the tower and a bespoke irrigation system installed.
The plan would involve plants being grown in greenhouses, in preparation, until next June, with their installation taking six months. The full complement of plants would be in position from January 2013 until February 2016 at a total estimated cost of €72 million, which Grontmij says would be financed privately.
Ginger's concept has already generated controversy, with media outlets in France and beyond publishing articles questioning the wisdom of the idea. A more modest plan for 'greening' buildings is being pursued by businesses in central London's Victoria district (Environment Analyst 26-Oct-11).
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In other news, Grontmij has announced that it is working with KPMG to assess options for improving the “financial structure” of the company. It is also in discussions with its lenders regarding future financing. As reported by Environment Analyst, Grontmij took on substantial debt last year when it purchased leading French engineering consultancy Ginger (Environment Analyst 16-Mar-11), and has since struggled in the face of deteriorating conditions in its domestic market of the Netherlands and in the UK (Environment Analyst 09-Nov-11). Also announced, recently-departed chief financial officer, Mel Zuydam, has been replaced by Frits Vervoort.
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