Engineers Australia to host climate change roundtable

Engineers Australia will host the Engineering Responses to Climate Change Roundtable in Sydney this Wednesday, February 26.

The roundtable will bring together leaders from industry, the scientific community, governance and academia, including Arup, AECOM, Baker McKenzie, WSP, CSIRO, Standards Australia, ANSTO, Planning Institute of Australia, ClimateWorks, Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, Australian Building Codes Board, Climate Science Centre, Business Council for Sustainable Development, Green Building Council, Infrastructure Sustainability Council and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation,

Engineers Australia CEO, Dr Bronwyn Evans, said delegates would explore practical ways in which engineers can accelerate the low carbon transition and reduce the impacts of climate change on our communities.

“Engineers have multiple important roles: as practical implementers, as innovators developing novel solutions to address constraints, as motivators for change and as technical advisors to decision-makers. 

Indeed, we are in the privileged position of being trusted because of our evidence-based approach,” said Dr Evans.

The Engineering Responses to Climate Change Roundtable arose from the recognition that engineers have a vital role to play in concert with a wide range of contributors.

“Dealing with climate change requires urgent action on two critical areas that engineers, society, industry and governments must address together: reducing net emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change,” said Dr Evans.

“No single organisation, government or technology will solve the myriad issues related to climate change. Action on climate change is a team effort, and Engineers Australia is asking: what is the most effective role for us?

“By asking the right questions, exploring the answers, and by working together we can resolve the issues associated with climate change.”

Framework for a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia.

In the lead up to the launch of the Framework for a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia, the Climate and Health Alliance have released the Final Consultation Report: National Consultation Regarding a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia to detail the extensive consultation which informed the Framework’s development. 

The report outlines findings from the national consultation process, which involved three main elements:

• Responses to a survey accompanying a Discussion Paper which proposed a National Strategy for Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia (released June 2016);

• An Online Discussion Forum held for nine days using the paxrepublic.com platform (August 2016);

• A Health Leaders Roundtable and Meeting with Parliamentarians in Canberra (October 2016).

• Results from this process demonstrate the almost unanimous agreement among health professionals that there is urgent need for federal leadership and action. Health groups also offer their commitment to supporting the government and political parties in making the strategy a reality. 

Read the Climate and Health Alliance report - “Framework for a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia.”