Monday, 3 September: 10.30 — 17.00

FORUM

AT A CROSSROADS

Wayne Bowes
FIDIC President

Sustainability is a much overworked word and concept in today’s society. It means different things to different people and to different industries and countries. There are so many components of the problem and solution that at times people just seem to ignore some or all of the debate.

This presentation introduces the role of FIDIC as a bringing together of initiatives and sharing of ideas and as a place where Engineers can "become involved in the development and analyses of the options and be very effective in transferring the technical and professional ability to apply these solutions in all countries."

There is an old saying "A stitch in time saves nine". Or, another goes like this:

These two old sayings exemplify the adage that the correct action taken at the right time and place may save the day, or at least make a difference.

To some extent, this is where we find ourselves today in this debate on sustainability and sustainable development. Targets have been set: can we take action to improve conditions?

Can we collectively come up with enough positive actions to make a difference? It is generally conceded, that our civilization is consuming resources and generating waste at a rate that we consider unsustainable, that is, unless we change our ways, sooner or later, our ability to sustain ourselves and enjoy our lifestyles will be compromised. We, is the collective we, worldwide. The lifestyles of many are so low that their major concerns aren't with the air pollution, but rather lack of fuel and clean water, or is there enough garbage to pick through to earn a living?

There have been many studies, reports, conventions, speeches, agreements, etc., and even some evidence that our environment is suffering and say some, rather immediate and comprehensive action is required. To make a difference, global actions are required.

The Rio Earth Summit in 1992 highlighted many of the issues and raised the awareness of the World’s politicians to the possible consequences of continued inaction. Soon the Rio+10 summit will tally what has been done in the intervening decade. For sure, a lot of paper has been generated and a lot of promises made and a lot of money spent and a lot of protests held. But what has been done to arrest the decline in the quality of life of many and improve our ability to mend our ways? It seems not too much.

Currently, the debate rages over the Kyoto Protocol and its objectives on greenhouse gas emissions. What will happen if US, Japan and others, don't sign on? How much real difference will it make if they all sign on? Can the money be better spent more effectively on another strategy?

Why, if we are convinced of the seriousness of the issues and the consequences of inaction don’t we do something besides write reports and attend conferences? How can we get on with the job of finding that "stitch in time or horseshoe nail" and start the real work on the road to sustainability?

Well, let me suggest a few uncertainties that seem to be inhibiting our ability to save ourselves.

In a recent issue of the ECONOMIST there is an article that sets out arguments to the effect that the environmentalists have manipulated the statistics to suit their own agendas, and that the public cases for pollution, waste generation and resource depletion are over stated. His work claims that all quality of life measures are not getting worse across all sectors and in fact we are doing not too badly at all.

With respect to the exhaustion of natural resources, he agrees that there clearly is a finite limit to the resources we require, (fossil fuels and metals), but argues that the limit is far greater than the environmentalists would have us believe. When we are short of oil, we find more and pay more.

On population explosion and the inability of our world to feed itself, he states that current agricultural production and world food prices put that myth to bed. The consensus is that as the world's standards of living increases, so the population growth reduces. Currently, the rate of increase had declined to only 1.6%/p.a. is expected to fall further and the world's population stabilize at about 11b± in 2001.

He also argues that although the pollution estimates have been alarming, they are low by historical standards in the industrialized world. He argues that as the general population increases in wealth, they too will employ pollution reduction strategies that they can afford.

He also argues that the population has been led to believe that things are much worse than they are by environmental groups eager to raise funds for their particular cause, and thus paint a bleak picture in order to increase funding. Media generally exaggerates the seriousness of the issues, he contends.

Such is the level of contradictory evidence that is put out for public consumption. It is no wonder that the development of international, national, regional and sectorial policies is such a monumental task. Many different priorities and interests are difficult to reconcile, especially when the fruits of the policies are so long term.

There is competing science that confuses the policy makers and this is superbly compounded by economics and local priorities and the vulnerability of the economy of regions and nations.

Economies are threatened by imposed compliance to standards of emissions or conduct, especially if there is not universal application. No country wants to saddle its economy with a compliance burden if that will place it at a competitive disadvantage, not just regionally, but globally.

So what do we want to do about it?

FIDIC has already committed itself to sustainability and sustainable development, not because we believe that the science is 100 percent correct, or that the dire predictions of some are to be believed, but because sustainable development is a desirable objective and we can make a substantial and essential contribution.

We believe that a commitment to sustainable development is good for our business, is good for society, regardless of where we are on the scale of self destruction as some would have it. FIDIC's action with the EMS TRAINING KIT and currently with the TASK FORCE on Sustainability is evidence of our commitment.

Engineers are the best qualified people to engage vigorously in the debate, because as innovators and implementers, society cannot function without us. That sounds grandiose, but the truth of the statement is all around us in the social and economic infrastructure we enjoy. Clean water, reliable civil infrastructure in health, transport, building, etc., are dependent upon engineers to develop and adapt technology and science to the benefit of society. Indeed, it is our calling and our responsibility to translate the science into productive, economic, physical and social infrastructure.

Our dilemma often is, do we want to assume that responsibility and take positive steps to participate in the debate and policy, or do we want to do as others would direct us and revert to a role as a technical expert doing the wishes of others?

We must be involved in the formulation and evaluation of options and in their execution and to do that we, as an industry and as individuals, must get involved.

But what I have said is not new. Over 10 years ago Don Roberts presented a theme speech at our Oslo Conference identifying similar concerns. Well then, what can FIDIC do?

Rich Weingard, the former US ACEC President, has long been an advocate for enhancing our public stance on these important issues.

FIDIC intends to be active in several areas:

Our speakers and our workshops will elaborate on many of these issues and topics. What is clear is that if we wait until everyone agrees on the science and the solutions, we will all be overcome by events. We have to act now to incorporate sustainable development as a core part of our businesses and seek vigorously to educate and convince our clients and society that it is good business to incorporate environmentally friendly designs into all our work, not only for long term, but short term returns at the project, local, regional, national and global level.

That is the "nail" or the "stitch in time" that can eventually make a difference, and improve the quality of life for all.

Thank you to the partners they need to address the multifaceted issues in this global issue of sustainability.

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