The global market for design is sluggish, but firms say local politics and a potential trade war could stall any recovery.

Faced with economic uncertainties around the world, many global design and construction firms have struggled to find a steady stream of opportunities, but some are cautiously optimistic that conditions are improving.

Responding to and preparing for climate change is a huge driver of environmental work globally, according to several firms in the sector.

Low oil and gas prices are continuing to restrict the petroleum industry’s development of exploration and production infrastructure, but the need to deliver affordable liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other fuels to economic centers will boost prospects for pipeline and other distribution infrastructure investments in Asia and other regions.

The global energy sector is under­going significant change, with more emphasis on renewable projects, microgrids and distributed generation, sector firms say.

In a year that has seen many surprising political shifts, the International Monetary Fund’s global outlook, released in October, shows that worldwide economic growth is expected to slow to 3.1% in 2016, then increase to 3.4% next year.