Environment theme

 

Promoting economic growth while mitigating and adapting to climate change and the depletion of natural resources is key to a flourishing economy.

We need to minimise waste, pollution and our impact on the world around us. We must also adapt the way we do things to cope with the climate changes that are already underway.

Read more about our Environment theme.

ENVIRONMENT
reports and policy statements

  • Challenges for Water Use in UK Industry

    This short analysis explores the way we use water in industry, how it is managed and presents a case study about how we can treat water differently so that the UK water industry can contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals for 2030.

  • UK Onshore Well Integrity Report

    This joint report details the existing regulations and guidelines relating to well integrity on the UK mainland for oil and gas exploration and production, including shale gas.

  • Catchment management in the water industry

    We discuss the impact of regulation of the water industry, including the unintended consequences of sustainable treatment.

  • The Life Cycle Assessment: Road Vehicle Emissions Measurement

    This policy statement looks at current measures in place to reduce vehicle emissions, and how ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ (LCA), by examining all the stages of a car’s life, could improve upon the current methodology.

  • Geo-engineering: Giving us the time to act?

    This report argues that geo-engineering could be another potential component in our approach to climate change that could provide the world with extra time to decarbonise the global economy.

  • The Carbon Challenge: CO2 Emissions from Transport

    This policy statement identifies transport emissions by source using comparable metrics and highlights opportunities for the greatest reductions.

  • Climate change: Adapting to the inevitable?

    Our environment-themed report considers the possible climate changes we may expect over the next 1,000 years due to continuing CO2 emissions.

  • Climate Change: Have We Lost the Battle?

    In this report we argue that if the UK is realistically going to reach an outcome equivalent to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2050, we need to start mapping out an alternative solution.

  • Low-carbon mobility: A sustainable future for transport

    This report focuses primarily on reducing transport-related carbon emissions through innovation, influence and investment.

  • Energy from Waste

    In this policy statement we look at how the UK can make the most of energy from waste plants, which convert waste into usable energy in the form of electricity, heat and/or transport fuels.

View all Environment reports and policy statements

Comment and analysis

Dr Jenifer Baxter

Dr Jenifer Baxter

Environment policy spokesperson

Dr Jenifer Baxter joined the Institution as Head of Energy and the Environment in May 2015. Jenifer works closely with members to raise the profile of engineers and engineering potential, to generate discussion and provide thought leadership in the energy and environment sectors.

Read Jenifer's full biography

Get in touch

Contact the Press Office for enquiries about our policies and reports.

Open Monday to Friday, 9:15-17:30. Excludes bank holidays.

For out of hours, call +44 (0)773 064 4134 or +44 (0)7713 565 683.