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Engineering a Sustainable Future

using Civil Engineering
There is an urgent need to address interlinked sustainability issues
in a world challenged by changes across all spheres. Apart from
military engineering, all branches of engineering as we have
today, emanate from civil engineering
» While there is no universally agreed definition of
sustainability, it can best be defined as a broad and crucial
concept that incorporates different elements from a range of
fields, seeking to protect our environment, as well as human
and ecological health.
» Engineers are increasingly expected to play leadership roles
when it comes to sustainable development by designing,
building and operating options and solutions that minimize
environmental damage.
» The different areas civil engineers can get involved include but
are not limited to the following:
• Environmental engineering water engineering
• Engineering management structural engineering
• Energy-efficient materials highway engineering
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 The Sustainable
Development Goals
The SDGs are a collection of 17 broad and
interdependent global goals designed to
be a "blueprint to achieve a better and
more sustainable future for all“

The 7 goals that directly relate

to Civil/Structural Engineering
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THE ROLE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER
IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The American Society of Civil Engineers has
outlined 2 principles of Sustainable
Development:
• Principle 1- Do the Right Project. A proposed
project's economic, environmental and social
effects on each of the communities served
and affected must be assessed and
understood by all stakeholders before there
is a decision to proceed with a project.
Consider non-structural as well as structural
(built) solutions to the needs being
addressed;

• Principle 2 - Do the Project Right. The civil

engineer shall actively engage stakeholders
and secure public understanding and
acceptance of a projects economic,
environmental and social costs and benefits.
To move toward conditions of sustainability,
engineers must design and deliver projects
that address sustainability holistically (from
concept to demolition or reuse) rather than
adding a variety of "green" features onto a
conventional project

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STEPS TO ACHIEVE A SUSTAINABLE
PROJECT
• Perform Life Cycle Assessment from
Planning to Reuse. Project participants
should use rigorous life cycle methodologies
that quantify the economic, environmental
and social effects of the project;
• Use Resources Wisely. Minimize Use of Non-
Renewable Resources. Sustainable
development shall include progressive
reductions in resource use for a given level
of service and resiliency. The feasibility of
restoration, or return of depleted resources,
shall be evaluated by the civil engineer;
• Plan for Resiliency. Sustainability requires
planning for the impact natural and man-
made disasters and changing conditions can
have on economic, environmental, and
social resources; and
• Validate Application of Principles. Civil
engineers must guide project development
and validate the application of these
principles by using metrics and rating tools
such as the EnvisionTM Rating System for
sustainable infrastructure.

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The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index
• The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index
(GSCI) measures competitiveness of countries
in an integrated way. It is calculated based on
116 measurable, quantitative indicators
derived from reliable sources, such as the
World Bank, the IMF, and different UN
agencies.
• Natural Capital: the given natural environment,
including the availability of resources, and the
level of the depletion of those resources.
• Social Capital: health, security, freedom,
equality and life satisfaction within a country.
• Resource Management: the efficiency of using
available resources as a measurement of
operational competitiveness in a resource-
constraint World.
• Intellectual Capital: the capability to generate
wealth and jobs through innovation and value-
added industries in the globalised markets
• Governance Efficiency: Results of core state
areas and investments – infrastructure, market
and employment structure, the provision of a
framework for sustained and sustainable
wealth generation
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Key Sustainability Indices

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 Efforts made by Engineering
Organisations on Sustainability
Various efforts as outlined below

» World Engineering Conference on Sustainable

Infrastructure (WECSI 2014), Nigeria
» Sustainability Route Map bi ICE, UK
» GEC 2018 – The critical role of the construction and
infrastructure sector in achieving the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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 Efforts made by Engineering
Organisations on Sustainability
Various efforts as outlined below

» World Engineering Conference on Sustainable

Infrastructure (WECSI 2014), Nigeria
» Sustainability Route Map bi ICE, UK
» GEC 2018 – The critical role of the construction and
infrastructure sector in achieving the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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 Barriers to Successful Implementation of Sustainability

Barrier Barrier
» Many factors affect the successful application of
sustainability practices in engineering
• Perceived initial costs
• Lack of knowledge on sustainability
• Technological difficulties
• External pressures in adopting sustainability practices
especially in developing countries

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 Future Outlook

$300,000 $300,000

$6,750 $33,750
$250,000 $250,000

$200,000 $200,000

$150,000 $150,000

$100,000 $100,000

$50,000 $135,000 $50,000

$270,000

$0 $0
20YY 20YY 20YY 20YY 20YY 20YY 20YY 20YY 20YY 20YY

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Thank You
Mustafa B. Shehu

www.mbsengineering.com