The built and natural environment think tank The Edge, in collaboration with the Engineering Council, several professional engineering institutions and other organisations, is advocating for changes in engineering education to promote a sustainable future.

The group of institutions has agreed to the following statement:

 “We the undersigned have a shared understanding that the climate and nature emergency presents an existential crisis not just for our immediate environment, but also for our planet. It is fundamental that undergraduate education in all built and natural environment professions adequately responds to this crisis. It needs to teach climate and environmental literacy and ethics and develop the ability in students to collaborate, communicate, challenge and advocate.

“We agree that urgent action is required, and that this will require active collaboration between educators, industry, professional institutions and accreditation bodies.”

This initiative originates from a workshop held in July 2023, when 28 representatives from industry, academia, and professional engineering institutions gathered to discuss the necessary changes in undergraduate education for built and natural environment professionals to meet net zero goals. Further discussions involving students, recent graduates, professionals, and academics have helped to shape the proposals, which the Engineering Council considers applicable to engineers and engineering technicians in every sector. As debates on education reforms to combat climate change continue, the need to integrate sustainability into UK technical and higher education becomes increasingly important, requiring collaboration among multiple stakeholders.

The Engineering Council regularly meets with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to discuss challenges associated with engineering apprenticeships. The IfATE collaborates with employers to align apprenticeships and technical education with sustainable growth and net zero goals, focusing on environmental skills, green jobs, and sustainability.

Earlier this year, the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and the National Engineering Policy Centre of which the Engineering Council is part, launched Engineers 2030, a consultation aimed at addressing evolving engineering needs and attracting future engineers.

For press enquiries:
Helen Potts, Engineering Council – hpotts@engc.org.uk, 020 3206 0568

The Engineering Council holds the national Register of Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Information and Communication Technology Technicians (ICTTech). It also sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of competence and ethics that govern the award and retention of these titles. By this means it is able to ensure that employers, government and wider society, both at home and overseas, can have confidence in the skills and commitment of registrants. For more information visit: www.engc.org.uk