Engineers have a significant role to play in helping society achieve a more sustainable future. To support this, the Engineering Council has issued an updated Guidance on Sustainability for engineering professionals at all career stages.

The revised Guidance on Sustainability emphasises the inter-connectedness of environmental challenges and solutions, the role of regeneration and restoration, and consideration of the whole life cycle – including safe disposal. 

Alasdair Coates CEng FICE MCIHT CMIOSH, CEO of the Engineering Council said:

“Sustainable development is an increasingly important issue for society and the engineering profession works to meet the challenge of the climate emergency. Engineers have a key leadership and influencing role in working towards sustainability, increasingly as part of multi-disciplinary teams that include non-engineers, and through work that crosses national boundaries.

“This updated Guidance on Sustainability supports individual engineers in achieving sustainable development through engineering, as well as helping professionally registered engineers – Chartered Engineers, Incorporated Engineers and Engineering Technicians – to meet their professional obligations.”

 This Guidance sets out six principles to ensure all engineering professionals integrate understanding of the environment and sustainability of resources into all aspects of their work:

1. Contribute to building a sustainable society, present and future
2. Apply professional and responsible judgement and take a leadership role on sustainability
3. Do more than just comply with legislation and codes: be prepared to challenge the status quo
4. Use resources efficiently and effectively
5. Seek multiple views to solve sustainability challenges
6. Manage risk to minimise adverse impact and maximise benefit to people and the environment

As the UK’s leading professional body for highways and transportation, CIHT recognises the importance and urgency of addressing climate change and has launched a series of commitments in response to the climate change challenge. “The time for action is now if we are to shape tomorrow today”, said Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT.

Please find out more about our CIHT Climate Change Pledge