The Climate Change Challenge: Reducing the Climate Impact of Infrastructure Systems

6 May 2021.

Session Objective & Outline

Infrastructure systems are now the number one driver of carbon dioxide emissions across the world.  These emissions are the cause of climate change, every day and everywhere. The aim of the third session in this series is to identify what needs to be done and who needs to do it. And what – and where – will be the consequences if we fail. Following a short framing presentation by Rachel Skinner, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, whose Presidency focus is “Shaping Zero”, Rachel was joined by a panel of discussants and the session concluded with time for question and answers from the audience.

 

Outline

[Outline here]

Learning Outcomes

Lessons Learnt

The session’s learning outcomes were:

  • Prof Paul Jowitt: We can’t change history but we can change the future. We should stop looking back but look to the future to work together to save the planet for everybody.
  • Ms Elizabeth Wangeci Chege: What we build today will be the future of tomorrow, we can either be winners or losers of climate change. We need to stop spending on unsustainable infrastructure.
  • Mr Jonathan Duwyn: Governments need to lead by example.
  • Mr Lee Siang Tai: We need to move away from a linear economy and embrace circular economy from the individual level to businesses, to governments.
  • Ms Rachel Skinner: To make a difference, it is vital that we understand the language of carbon and climate.

 

RIBA Core Curriculum Topics

  • Design, Construction & Technology
  • Sustainable Architecture

 

SDG Learning Outcomes

  • SDG9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
  • SDG11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities
  • SDG17 – Partnership for the Goals

CPD Learning Questions

To test your learning and understanding from this session, we encourage participants to respond to the following CPD reflection questions:

  1. [QUESTIONS HERE]

Presenters

Prof Paul Jowitt, (Session Chair)

President, Commonwealth Engineers Council

Rachel Skinner

President of the Institution of Civil Engineers

Lee Siang Tai

Immediate Past President, World Green Building Council

Elizabeth Wangeci Chege

Immediate Past President, Kenya Green Building Society and Vice Chair of the Africa Regional Network of the World Green Building Council

Nongcebo Hlongwa

Lead, Durban Local Climate Action Plan [unfortunately, Nongcebo was taken ill and unable to join]

Jonathan Duwyn

Programme Manager, GlobalABC, UNEP

Additional Resources

Commonwealth Engineers Council

The Commonwealth Engineers’ Council is an official Commonwealth Accredited organisation, which formed in 1946. We are made up of Full Members, Associate Members and Individual Members from across all regions of the Commonwealth, and we have an active group of Young Engineers / Future Leaders. We are also involved in a number of partnership with other relevant professional built environment groups.

The Commonwealth Engineers Council is a global network whose aim is to advance the science, art and practice of engineering for the benefit of humankind.  CEC Membership is open to all engineering institutions and societies across the 56 countries of the Commonwealth.  Engineering is at the heart of social and economic development.  As engineers we recognise our responsibility and the importance of working closely with other professions and with the engineering community at large.

Institution of Civil Engineers

The Institution of Civil Engineers is a professional representation body which received Royal Charter in 1828, established with the object to foster and promote the art and science of civil engineering. The ICE is proud of their 97,000-strong global membership, our more than 200 years of history, and our enduring commitment to delivering sustainable and high-quality infrastructure. They champion engineering professionals who design, build and maintain the infrastructure that we all rely on.