To the sunny terrace of the House of Commons for the launch of the Engineering Council’s Guidance on Sustainability the other week. The place was unnaturally quiet, and if a tumbril had rolled across the lobby carrying bodies of disgraced MPs I would not have been surprised. 

Confirming that he was probably the only MP in the building (and ‘clean’ as far as his expenses were concerned) Brian Iddon gave the main speech of congratulations. As a member of the Industry, Universities and Science Committee and a founder member of the Environmental Audit Committee, Brian was genuinely enthusiastic about the new guidelines and congratulated the Engineering Council on its pioneering work on getting sustainability into the heart of engineering practice. 

And indeed, while the story may lack the glamour of M&S’s Plan A, what the engineers are doing is hugely important because it will influence every sector of the economy. Since 2005 all engineers wishing to gain Chartered status in the UK have had to demonstrate 'sustainability competencies', a change to professional standards for registration which some of Forum’s young engineers helped to bring about.  Percolating the implications to education and training through the many specialist engineering institutions and university departments is now well underway.

Some other professions have followed suit, notably accountancy. But others are lagging, citing institutions unaccustomed to rapid change. Not a viable excuse any more. Urgent transfusions of sustainability throughout the system are needed, and as almost everybody belongs to some professional or trade association, where better to fast-track sustainability literacy throughout the existing and future workforce?  Not exciting, but essential. The Engineering Council has shown it can be done. 

To read about Forum's Engineers for the 21st Century programme (E21C) - which is all about engaging the engineering profession in sustainability - click here.

Updated June 8th:

Several voices have joined in to support an Industry, Universities and Science Committee’s recommendation that the government should appoint Chief Engineering Advisors as they do Chief Scientific Advisors. I think it is a terrific idea. Getting down to the practicalities of implementing radical carbon reduction strategies will be greatly helped if some Clark Kents of the engineering world don super(wo)man kits and swoop about a bit. If you agree let the committee know on iuscomm@parliament.uk. 

Image: Sara Parkin, Andrew Ramsay, Ken Fidler