Promoting economic growth whilst responding to climate change and the depletion of natural resources.
Mechanical engineers work at the very core of economic growth, be it in the generation and distribution of energy, the transport and built infrastructure that supports developed and developing nations, or the design and manufacture of consumer goods.
In today's world these activities face significant challenges around environmental and sustainability issues and the profession is continuously engaged in finding solutions to society's concerns in these areas. Learn more about the Environment theme.
Latest news and initiatives
A full list of initiatives for the year ahead will be available in early 2010.
Achievements in 2009
Great Climate Changing Debate
At the University of Reading on 9 June 2009, top experts debated how, or even if, we can halt or reverse damage created by greenhouse gases. Engineers continue to examine geo-engineering as one of a number of ways to tackle climate change and this public debate was organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the British Computer Society (BCS), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) to highlight the urgency needed to act on climate change before it is too late.
‘The Great Climate Changing Debate: Can geo-engineering save the planet?’ brought together a leading panel of climate experts including:
- Professor Peter Liss CBE from the University of East Anglia
- Professor John Shepherd FRS of the Tyndall Centre at Southampton University
- Dr Alan Gadian of the University of Leeds
- Dr Olivier Boucher from the Met Office
- Dr David Santillo, Greenpeace Research Laboratories, University of Exeter
- Miriam Kennet, CEO of the Green Economics Institute
Dr Tim Fox, the Institution's Head of Environment and Climate Change, said: “Given the lead times that will be needed to carry-out the engineering assessment, detailed design, testing and implementation of any geo-engineering approach it is critical that we have this debate now. The IMechE has sent a very clear message to Government in this regard."
The debate took place at the Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road campus on 9 June 2009.
The UK Climate Projections was launched at the Institution
The Institution was chosen by DEFRA and the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) to launch the latest predicted UK 21st century climate models to the engineering community at Birdcage Walk on 9 July 2009.
The UK Climate Projections are cutting-edge climate change scenarios which will give an insight into what scientists believe could be the projected future climate in the UK over the next 100 years. The scenarios help organisations plan and prepare for the impacts of our changing climate. They are based on sophisticated modelling by the Hadley Centre - a world leader in climate science. The UK Climate Projections will underpin the Government’s Adapting to Climate Change programme.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers was specially chosen to present the UK Climate Projections to the UK engineering sector, with a free targeted event at Birdcage Walk on 9 July 2009.
Read the full article about the Climate Projections
Environment Theme Quarter Makes the Headlines
Throughout 2009, considerable progress was made towards getting the voice of mechanical engineers heard by government and media alike, and establishing the Institution as a thought-leader in this field.
A key achievement was the real progress made in delivering on the Vision aim of setting the agenda and ensuring that the voices of mechanical engineers are heard in the public arena. Our reports on mitigation, adaptation and geo-engineering approaches to climate change enjoyed considerable international media success and influenced UK government policy. Dr Tim Fox, the Institution's Head of Energy and Environment even represented the UK engineering profession at the landmark United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP15, in December.
Read the statistics for media and government coverage
Keynote Address from Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE
The Institution hosted its first ever question time debate on climate change at its One Birdcage Walk headquarters on 29 April 2009. Focusing on how we should tackle the greatest environmental challenge of our time, the debate was an opportunity for the audience to listen to and engage with experts on issues surrounding climate change. Lord Hunt, Minister for Sustainable Development and Energy Innovation at both DECC and Defra, was guest of honour and opened the evening’s proceedings.
Cooling the Planet: A young member competition
With global warming an increasing threat, engineers need to act now to keep our planet cool. Discover the competition’s winning approach which generates energy from waste. Learn more about the competition.
United Nations Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change
The United Nations Copenhagen Conference in December 2009 saw the global community try to agree a follow up to the Kyoto protocol. Dr Tim Fox, the Institution's Head of Energy and Environment represented the UK engineering profession. Read Dr Fox's assessment of COP15
As a pre-cursor to the UN Copenhagen Conference, IMechE represented the UK at Future Climate - Engineering Solutions, which enabled engineering institutions from around the world to join together with practical, deliverable plans addressing the energy, environment and transport challenges of climate change, as their contribution to the main Copenhagen Conference.
For further details about Future Climate
Other initiatives
Chartered Environmentalist
Members of IMechE can now
apply for registration as a
Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and gain recognition for their demonstration of and commitment to, sustainable environmental management and development.
'Our World in 2050' climate change adaptation competition
Imagine the world 40 years from now. That was the task set for 240 12-13 year old pupils at Penair School, Cornwall, in a recent pilot of an IMechE schools initiative. View a short news report on the event.
The Great Environment Briefing, Reading Town Hall
The Institution recently organised, in association with IET, IChemE and ICE, a public briefing on the major environmental issues of relevance to society today. The briefing panel was composed of Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Dist. Professor Roland Clift, Dr Tim Chatterton, Professor John Twidell, Professor Peter Matthews and Jeff Cooper. Watch a video of the event.
Environment Theme position statement
The key messages IMechE will communicate to our target audiences in support of the environment theme headline statement are now available. Download the Environment Theme position statement (PDF).
Our position statement on Sustainable Development
Our Position Statement on Sustainable Development has been updated. Download our Sustainable Development position statement (PDF)