Engineers: technological pathfinders

Engineers need to apply engineering skills with more wisdom

A synopsis of the Forum paper by Paul Hofseth, special adviser to the Government of Norway

Engineering is the profession that interprets science into technology, hence it is scientists and engineers that must point to the options before us. It is only the engineering profession that can design and present a menu listing the availability and cost of the technical solutions that do exist.

As a first step, engineers should be aware of the environmental problems. Engineering firms themselves should become expert green consumers when specifying their procurements. Corporate green consumerism is important.

Costly savings

A far more difficult situation must be faced when designs become more expensive than the standard solution or when they take longer to complete because of the studies required. A firm that is not quite so conscientious might cut corners and get the contract. Guidelines should be followed by all, or governments must set out the ground rules.

The environmental market is created by demand for greener solutions. There will be individuals wanting to do their part, forcing changes upstream in the manufacturing process. There will be companies wishing to have a pioneering role - or simply to avoid problems in the future. But the most important factor will be the public and governments setting out and enforcing the new ground rules; the consulting engineer should anticipate and support this process.

In a situation with free trade, the freedom of action of a single industrial plant, a single sector and even a single country, is limited by the competitive situation.

This can be the perfect excuse to postpone environmental action. This is also a very strong reason for con certed action by governments to avoid trade distortions. Global impacts by pollution or by overloading ecosystems require global regulations.

The development aim must be reached while preserving the resource base, protecting human health and keeping well within the critical loads of of local, regional and global ecosystems. We cannot achieve these global aims without diminishing the global discrepancies in living conditions and human opportunities. This means that we must also analyse the effect of our actions upon the developing countries and continue to support their efforts to secure their basic needs.

The precautionary principle provides a good rule of conduct: we should anticipate, prevent and attack the causes of environmental degradation. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for not acting.

Global insurance

We will not have final proof that the climate is changing until it has changed and then it is rather late to take preventive action. Climate policy is a global insurance. The greenhouse effect may force new, large investments. If we do not invest, the expense may be even greater. There is on the other hand, good evidence that investments to secure stabilisation of emissions at today's levels may be profitable. This will mean re-structuring and definitely new tasks for engineers. The need for action is now recognised by all countries in Europe.

In energy technology we can expect a strong push towards technological 'leapfrogging.' Developing countries may want to build their infrastructure with the most advanced, energy saving technology and organisation. Their policies, as ours, may have to favour mass transit over private cars. They will need buildings with low heating and cooling needs. Much of this is economically sensible, but because of the way funds are allocated today, we have not had the required breakthrough.

We may well be able to tackle all the problems, but we cannot expect to tackle all at once. The way to make our resources go further is to sort and choose means by their cost efficiency. We must evaluate the measures across sectors, across the divide between producer and user as well as across borders. Governments should cooperate to share the burdens so that the mutual benefits may be greater.

The analysis of cost efficiency across borders indicates that there should be substantial capital flows to Eastern Europe. This is where old fashioned technology is used for large production volumes.

Developing countries have voiced unease that this capital will not go to them. This is not the intention of the donors. In addition, investment in Eastern Europe is essential to preserve stability in the area. In turn this will release the enormous budgets now fled to maintaining military confrontation in Europe.

Green peace

This peace dividend will make it easier to find funds for the developing countries. In addition the environmental investments in the East may well be private capital being invested in specific, profitable projects. This is not loan money that would be available on concessionary terms.

The role of the environment authorities is to analyse and forecast environmental challenges and set the aims. The technological and scientific community must provide information on technological trends, threats, opportunities and costs. If as a result of this cooperation, new aims are chosen and announced in good time, industry will have time to adapt and government can adopt more precise measures.

When measures are chosen, the principle that the polluter should pay is basic. Collecting charges can also assure that damage will be rectified, if it is reparable. Its main function however is to serve as an incentive to shape future production policies.

In the absence of suitable laws, diffuse, low-level damage is generally neither compensated nor put right. Stricter liability legislation for damage to health and ecosystems, coupled with compulsory insurance arrangements, provides an economic incentive, while ensuring that victims are reimbursed and damage repaired. But reimbursement legislation cannot replace preventive measures in the case of irreversible damage.

Coming clean

The increasing public concern about the environment has created the opportunity for using labelling and information as a powerful instrument for change. Again, the consulting engineers should anticipate this challenge and offer solutions.

Knowledge and considered value-judgements are the roots of action. It is the basis for public pressure on governments and industry. Since the consulting engineers are citizens as well as professionals, they should take part in the process for change by sharing their understanding of technical solutions with others.

The environment needs you.

| FIDIC 1990 |