Podcast Why engineers need to prioritise nature based solutions over grey alternatives

The latest episode of The Engineers Collective is out now.

With COP26 just weeks away, the need to design in sustainability and climate resilience into every element of the built environment has never been more in the spotlight and is the focus of the latest episode.

NCE editor Claire Smith and reporter Catherine Kennedy are joined by Rodrigo Fernandes who is director of empowering sustainable development goals with Bentley Systems to talk about the role of engineers - and the tools available to them - to drive change through design.

Before talking about the solutions and option available, Rodrigo talks to Claire and Catherine about progress on sustainability in the last decade and the scale of the challenge facing the engineering profession as it looks to increase the pace of change.

Rodrigo discusses the need to have collaboration at ecosystem level to deliver real benefits for the environment and the need for engineers to prioritise nature-based solutions over "grey" [concrete] alternatives. He also calls on engineers to advocate for resiliency early in the lifecycle of a project and for the industry to make better use of lifecycle tools to facilitate more environmentally conscious decision making.

The trio explore projects that are already doing good work in terms of improved sustainability with Rodrigo highlighting construction of High Speed 2 rail line as taking an innovative approach to design and delivery for sustainability. Nonetheless, he suggests that the construction industry needs to consider moving more to retrofitting and refurbishment over new build in the future to deliver on environmental promises.

To listen to the podcast click here.

The Engineers Collective is proving truly global in reach, with a third of listeners based outside the UK. It is also appealing to an inquisitive, career-builder demographic, with 80% of listeners under 35.

Special guests on previous episodes have included Crossrail managing director Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd special advisor Andrew McNaughton and ICE president Rachel Skinner. All are available for download and all address current and ongoing issues around skills and major project delivery.

The Engineers Collective is available via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, A-cast, Stitcher, PodBean and via newcivilengineer.com/podcast.

The Engineers Collective is powered by Bentley Systems. Around the world, engineers and architects, constructors and owner-operators are using Bentley's software solutions to accelerate project delivery and improve asset performance for transportation infrastructure that sustains our economy and our environment. Together, we are advancing infrastructure.

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