Following our Climate Smart Engineering conference in Melbourne, Damian Ogden, Engineers Australia's Group Executive Policy and Public Affairs, has been raising awareness of the engineering profession and our work on climate change at COP28 in Dubai this past week.
Engineers Australia is a recognised observer of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and COP28 provided an important platform to highlight the engineering innovations that will be key to a net zero future.
Each year the Conference of Parties (COP) brings together delegates from member countries, global business leaders, policy makers and research institutions to determine goals and actions necessary to address climate change. As an accredited observer Mr Ogden was able to follow these negotiations.
For COP28 there was a strong focus on supporting climate action and building resilience in those countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In keeping with this theme, the Australian government announced $100 million to support the Pacific region with the foundational contribution to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), which is the first Pacific-led, owned and managed community resilience financing facility.
Another key theme was the call to phase out fossil fuels. Australia is the world’s third largest fossil fuel exporter and Australia announced it will sign the Glasgow Statement and will no longer finance international oil, gas and coal projects.
Despite domestic projects not being part of the agreement, Minister Bowen announced Australia would join over 115 other countries across the globe in committing to a tripling of renewable energy capacity and a doubling of energy efficiency by 2030.
This year, governments also aimed to finalise the process of the Global Stocktake, which assesses each country’s progress on its commitments to the Paris Agreement, to keep the average global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.
During his time at COP28 Mr Ogden, spoke with those representing the Australian Government, Assistant Minister for Health Hon Gerardine Kearney MP, Deputy Premier of Queensland Steven Miles MP, Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp AO and also attended events with Minister for Climate Change and Energy Hon Chris Bowen MP and Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Hon Jenny McAllister MP.
Mr Ogden was invited to tour the first green ammonia powered ship, Fortescue’s the ‘Green Pioneer’ which travelled from its Singapore base to Dubai for the conference.
“It was a great example of what’s possible when it comes to the decarbonisation of shipping. Speaking to the engineers, one of whom was an Engineers Australia member, who developed the systems, processes and technology to launch this ship in just 18 months was nothing short of inspiring,” he said.
Mr Ogden visited Hariot-Watt University to hear from and meet with Tina Paillet, President-Elect, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS who launched the whole life carbon assessment report. The institution’s work closely aligns with Engineers Australia’s Climate Smart Engineering Initiative, (CSEI) which has a focus on providing guidance for engineers on effective methods of calculating and analysing embodied carbon.
“It was clear that engineers are at the heart of the solutions to many of the themes discussed at COP28 from reductions in carbon emissions in the built environment, to accelerated implementation of national adaptation plans.
“Advocating for the innovative work of engineers at COP28 and progressing our CSEI will help to ensure Engineers Australia can support and champion all engineers who are working towards a sustainable future and meeting net-zero targets.”