• Question: How is sustainability integrated into your job as an engineer?

    Asked by #Charlie#Ash#Dan#James to Matthew, Neil, Paula, Pete, Philippa on 17 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Neil Taylor

      Neil Taylor answered on 17 Mar 2015:

      Hi Filer2212!

      Great question! I think environmental sustainability is probably the aspect that is most integrated into my job.

      One example is decommissioning (dismantling/removing pipelines that will no longer be required): – This involves performing a study to check out all the various options for pipeline decommissioning, and making a judgement on what is best. The pipe may be then removed, but it may also be left where it is. This is often the case if removing the pipe will cause more environmental damage than if it were left where it is – e.g. disturbing the seabed, damaging habitats etc.

      Other examples include: fishing interaction (don’t want fishing nets snagging on pipelines) and performing calculations to prove whether liquids are clean enough to be discharged to the sea

      With regards to a sustainable society, I’m involved as a STEM ambassador. This involves attending careers fairs, science fairs, and events like this one to try and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

      Hope this helps!

    • Photo: Philippa Jefferis

      Philippa Jefferis answered on 18 Mar 2015:

      Hey,

      This is something that I wish was more integrated into my job. We are sustainable in trying to reduce how much material we use in a design, but that is often because we are looking to keep cost down rather than be sustainable. Unfortunately a lot of work I do is for Government Agencies who do not have lots of money to spend. As such they are often looking for an option that is cheaper in the short term, rather than the longer term.

      However, we now offer life cycle analysis of structures to help better inform our client about their decisions. So a road surface could be used that is more expensive than the traditional material but will require much less maintenance, so works out cheaper in the long run. So hopefully in time we can help our clients make much more sustainable choices rather than just looking at cost.

Comments