Overview

The concept of sustainable development defined by the UN as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” is difficult to operationalise. In much discussion over the past decade, it has been subsumed by a focus on climate change and the achievement of zero-carbon economies. This has the potential to divert attention from the central issue which is consumption.

Consumption is the driver behind the defining issues of the future: climate change, the loss of biodiversity, resource depletion and the disparity between the haves and have nots. Political sensitivity is limiting discussion and action.

Currently, global production and consumption levels are overshooting the planet’s biocapacity by about 50% each year. In other words, we have already grown beyond ecological limits and growth as we currently measure and manage it is no longer an option on a global scale.

The conundrum then is how the defining issues identified above can be addressed without exceeding planetary boundaries even further?

This, when raising the standard of living of the poorest members of the world’s population to an acceptable level, will necessitate growth some commentators claim will be several times higher than today.

Clearly a significant and sustainable change in the way the planet’s material resources are utilised is required and since the conversion of materials into useful products is fundamental to chemical engineering there is a prime role for the profession in addressing this issue.

Presenter

Malcolm Wilkinson, Chair, IChemE Sustainability Special Interest Group

Panel moderator

Chris Hamlin

Panelists

• Mark Apsey
• Pratima Rangarajam
• Stef Simons
• Mary Stewart
• Joanna Snape

View all speaker biographies >>

Time

8:30—9:30 GMT.

Format

A one-hour online session: 40 minutes' presentation + 20 minutes' Q&A.

Software

The presentation will be delivered via GoToWebinar®. 
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You are advised to join the webinar at least ten minutes before the scheduled start time, to allow for your computer to connect.

Webinar

This webinar is free of charge and open to all to attend.

ChemEng Evolution

To view more information on chemical engineering in the last 100 years, please visit the ChemEng Evolution website.