A total of 70% of the general public believe engineers are critical to combating climate change and biodiversity loss, according to a recent survey by Engineers Ireland.
The findings were released by the professional membership body at an event to mark the launch of a new professional title from Engineers Ireland, the Chartered Environmentalist.
The announcement also comes ahead of World Earth Day and Ireland’s Overshoot Day, the day when human consumption outstrips nature’s resource budget for the entire year if everybody in the world lived like Irish people.
L-R: Agnieska Wojdowska, engineer, Uisce Éireann; Dr Richard Manton, interim registrar at Engineers Ireland; Dr Emma Wilcox, chief executive, Society for the Environment, UK; John Power, president, Engineers Ireland, at the Uisce Éireann Stillorgan Reservoir, Dublin.
Meet critical Sustainable Development Goals
John Power, president of Engineers Ireland, said: “Engineers play a critical role in shaping the world around us and are uniquely placed to help the world meet critical Sustainable Development Goals – a sentiment echoed by our independent survey respondents.
“As an institution for professional engineers, our members are encouraged to keep the environment at the heart of their roles. As we approach Ireland’s Overshoot Day on Friday and Earth Day on April 22, we hope to reaffirm the vital role engineers have in delivering sustainable solutions and to provide our Chartered Engineers with the opportunity to attain the Chartered Environmentalist title.”
Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, chief executive of the Society for the Environment, UK, said: “We see environmental professionalism as the vital component in our efforts to build a sustainable future.
"A workforce with proven, up to date environmental competence, commitment and overall professionalism must be in place across all sectors globally. The engineering community is major part of this, and we encourage current and future Engineers Ireland members to lead the way.
“Welcoming the first professional body to our Society for the Environment family with their HQ outside of the UK is hugely positive. Environmental challenges do not stop at geographical borders. We look forward to broadening our Chartered Environmentalist community and facilitating further professional connections to address the challenges we face and turn opportunities into meaningful results.”
L-R: Engineers Ireland president John Power; Dr Emma Wilcox, chief executive of the Society for the Environment, UK; and Damien Owens, director general, Engineers Ireland.
Damien Owens, director general of Engineers Ireland, said: “Engineers Ireland has become the first organisation outside of the UK to be licensed by the Society for the Environment to award the Chartered Environmentalist title.
Positive development for engineering members
"Becoming licensed to register this title is an extremely positive development for our engineering members who are dedicated to engineering excellence and who are committed to having sustainable practice integral to their role.
"The Chartered Environmentalist qualification denotes sound knowledge, proven experience, and a profound commitment to sustainable best practice within our profession and field of expertise.”
To become a Chartered Environmentalist with Engineers Ireland, applicants must first be a Chartered Engineer and must be able to demonstrate:
- Application of knowledge and understanding of the environment to further the aims of sustainability;
- Leadership in sustainable management of the environment;
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills; and
- A personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession, and the environment.
For more information on the Chartered Environmentalist Title, visit: https://www.engineersireland.ie/Professionals/Membership/Registered-professional-titles/Chartered-Environmentalist