Sustainable engineering

Sustainable urban design and innovation: Photovoltaic ombrière SUDI is an autonomous and mobile station that replenishes energy for electric vehicles using solar energy.

Sustainable engineering is the process of designing or operating systems such that they use energy and resources sustainably, i.e., at a rate that does not compromise the natural environment, or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What engineers can do

• Water supply
• Food production
• Housing and shelter
• Sanitation and waste management
• Energy development
• Transportation
• Industrial processing
• Development of natural resources
• Cleaning up polluted waste sites
• Siting and planning projects to reduce environmental and social impacts
• Restoring natural environments such as forests, lakes, streams, and wetlands
• Improving industrial processes to eliminate waste and reduce consumption
• Recommending the appropriate and innovative use of technology

Accomplishments from 1992 to 2002

• The World Engineering Partnership for Sustainable Development (WEPSD) was formed and they are responsible for the following areas: redesign engineering responsibilities and ethic to sustainable development, analyze and develop a long term plan, find solution by exchanging information with partners and using new technologies, and solve the critical global environment problems, such as fresh water and climate change
• Developed environmental policies, codes of ethics, and sustainable development guidelines
• Earth Charter was restarted as a civil society initiative
• The World Bank, United Nations Environmental Program, and the Global Environment Facility joined programs for sustainable development
• Launched programs for engineering students and practicing engineers on how to apply sustainable development concepts in their work
• Developed new approaches in industrial processes

Future goals

• Creating a comprehensive program to identify and provide the information that engineers in developing countries require to meet energy, water, food, health, and other basic human needs
• Give education for student and practicing engineers to make them realize the importance of sustainability and become environment generalists
• Engaged in decision-making processes and performing projects
• Develop better approaches with the consideration of a project’s environmental costs, impacts, and conditions throughout a project’s life cycle
• Improve the education on sustainability and provide help in developing countries

See also

• Environmental engineering
• Environmental technology
• Civil engineering
• Green building
• Environmental engineering science
• Sustainability
• Sustainable design
• Ecotechnology

References

• Vanegas, Jorge.(2004). “Sustainable Engineering Practice – An introduction”. ASCE publishing.
• Antalya, Turkey, (1997). “XI World Forestry Congress”, (Volume 3, topic 2), retrieved from http://www.fao.org/forestry/docrep/wfcxi/publi/v3/T12E/2-3.HTM
• http://www.sustainableengineeringdesign.com
• https://engineering.purdue.edu/EEE/Research/Areas/sustainable.html
• http://www7.caret.cam.ac.uk/sustainability.htm
• http://www.aaas.org/programs/international/caip/events/fall97/sanio.html