Consulting engineers have a role to play in reducing the impacts of an ever-changing climate, as well as positively contributing to creating the solutions that will unlock a greener future.

Thanks to Welsh legislation, consultants and engineers are empowered to deliver direct and indirect action on climate. On Internatinal Day of Climate Action (Monday 24 October), two Welsh emerging professionals, Callan Burchell, senior consultant at Atkins and Rob Wood, civil engineer at Arup, explore how their country is taking positive action on climate change.

This piece forms part of a series, what sustainability means, which brings together two of ACE’s Emerging Professionals to explore what how sustainability impacts their own lives and day-to-day work.

“The first piece of legislation in the world to enshrine the rights of future generations”

It is essential for emerging professionals to use the legislation that we have our disposal to positively shape society, the environment, our culture, and the economy, regardless of whether we work in transportation, agriculture, energy, or waste management.

At the core of what sustainability means to emerging professionals in Wales is the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. It provides a framework to shape a future where society can lead fulfilling, creative and healthy lives in harmony with nature. The Act is the first piece of legislation in the world to enshrine the rights of future generations, including the unborn, alongside current ones. It creates seven goals for living within our environmental limits and to achieve this, the Act introduces five ways of working to make decisions which meet as many of the wellbeing goals as possible to positively benefit people now and in the future.

A further piece of legislation which enables us to positively shape society is the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013. It enables increased walking and cycling and intrinsically provides benefits linked to the Future Generations Act through a multitude of positive outcomes including the social value benefits of improved health and access to services, as well as reduced pollution.

Callan Burchel (Atkins)

“It is fantastic to see the Welsh Government’s commitment to decarbonise our energy mix”

Engineers are involved in a range of infrastructure projects and the three pillars of sustainability must be carefully considered in the development of each scheme. Energy generation has a large impact upon each of these three pillars.

As a carbon conscious Welsh resident, it is fantastic to see the Welsh Government’s commitment to decarbonise our energy mix. In 2017, it announced an aspirational target to meet the equivalent of 70% of Wales’ electricity demand through domestic  renewable electricity sources by 2030. By 2019, that figure stood at 51%.

We have some significant renewable projects in the pipeline, including the Awel y Môr and Gywnt y Môr offshore wind farms and a 35 km² tidal stream energy project near Anglesey.

Building a sustainable future is not just about the transition to low carbon energy, other critical elements are water quality, pollution mitigation and reducing the risk of flooding.

One key change which directly impacts on my role on a day-to-day basis, is the introduction of SuDS Approval Body (SAB) legislation in Wales. This has meant that all new developments in Wales must have an approved sustainable drainage system to appropriately manage and treat surface water. This new legislation will drastically reduce volumes treated in sewage treatment works, decrease energy consumption, and alleviate pollution to downstream rivers and our seas.

Rob Wood (Arup)

Read more from the What Sustainability Means series. Find out more about ACE's Emerging Professionals.