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Sustainability
Sustainability is not a new concept. Indeed, 2007 marked 20 years since "Our Common Future", the report of the Brundtland Commission, elegantly defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". In 1992 Engineers Australia issued its first sustainability based "Environmental Principles for Engineers".
Since that time, it has become accepted that sustainability applies not only to ecological issues. The footprint that we leave for our children touches not just environmental issues but all issues of economic and social equity. At a time when climate change presents us with arguably the greatest and most pervasive challenge that has ever faced this planet, the need for action on sustainability is urgent.
Sustainability cannot be conducted on the sidelines. It can only be achieved by a paradigm shift which results in sustainability becoming part of everyday life, directing the way in which communities and individuals make decisions that contribute to the realisation of broad social goals. As members of the engineering team, we are uniquely placed to contribute to the development of this paradigm shift.
Engineers Australia has developed a Sustainability Charter. This Charter sets out sustainability objectives and principles that I believe are essential if engineers are to take a lead role in fostering sustainable development, and in encouraging the adoption of appropriate principles and practices by governments, organisations and individuals.
As engineers, we pride ourselves on our technical skills, our competence and our ability to ethically serve the community. This Charter is a key component of our ethical behaviour and I urge you all to study and apply it.
During 2008, Engineers Australia developed a Sustainability Portal. The Portal is a tool for engineers to access information on engineering sustainability. Information in the Portal ranges from regulatory and standards, through to emerging think pieces on the topic. The Portal list comprises those industry sectors which employ engineers to a significant extent. In all cases, links connect with sites which are authorities in their field.
