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
Great Climate Changing Debate, 9 June 2009
Are you concerned about the future of our planet? At the University of Reading on 9 June from 6-9pm, you can have your say and listen to top experts debate how, or even if, we can halt or reverse damage created by greenhouse gases. Engineers are currently examining geo-engineering as one of a number of ways to tackle climate change and this public debate has been 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?’ will bring 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 takes place at the Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road campus on 9 June 2009. Refreshments will be served from 6pm and the debate starts at 7pm.
The UK Climate Projections to be launched at the Institution
The Institution has recently been 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 will 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 has been specially chosen to present the UK Climate Projections to the UK engineering sector, with a free targeted event at Birdcage Walk, from 9.30am – 1pm on 9 July 2009, which is open to all members.
Read the full article about the Climate Projections
Register for the event
Environment Theme Quarter Makes the Headlines
The Institution's Environment theme quarter has been extremely effective. Considerable progress has been 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 has been 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. The notable successes enjoyed by our environment themed reports in the media and in influencing government policy will provide a strong platform for our ongoing activity as we work towards the landmark United Nations Conference on Climate Change later this year.
Read the statistics for media and government coverage
Keynote Address from Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Minister The Institution hosted its first ever question time debate on climate change at its One Birdcage Walk headquarters on 29 April. 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, set for December 2009, will see the global community try to agree a follow up to the Kyoto protocol, and we will be there.
As a pre-cursor to the UN Copenhagen Conference, IMechE was represented at an important conference and workshop in September 2008. This exciting project, Future Climate - Engineering Solutions, 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 in December this year.
The Institution is the UK representative for the Future Climate project. We will be encouraging our members to get involved in preparing a UK Action Plan, and posting regular updates about the project throughout the year.
For further details about Future Climate
Take part in the Future Climate Photography Competition
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. Downlad our Sustainable Development position statement (PDF)