Manufacturers worldwide are looking at ways to minimise their environmental impact helping to contribute to net-zero emissions targets.
By combining advanced manufacturing with Industry 4.0, Australia has a real opportunity and competitive edge to develop products which support a more sustainable future.
Engineers are central to this.
The skills engineers posses are used throughout the advanced manufacturing process, starting with research, development and design. It is these foundational aspects of advanced manufacturing which enable easy disassembly, refurbishment, and recycling. These innovative processes aim to optimise resource utilisation, reduce waste, and minimise the environmental footprint.
Romilly Madew, CEO of Engineers Australia and a member of the federal government’s Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group, is an advocate for the circular economy. She emphasises the necessity and urgency of transitioning away from the traditional “take, make, dispose” model.
These topics and much more will be discussed at Engineers Australia’s Climate Smart Engineering Conference (CSE23) in Melbourne this 29-30 November.
Over the past decade, the engineering profession has undergone a profound transformation. Engineers have moved beyond their traditional role of focusing solely on immediate functionality to consider broader, long-term impacts.
Sustainability principles have become an integral part of their projects, prioritising environmental responsibility, economic viability, and social equity. This transformation has required a change of mindset by manufacturers, particularly investing more in knowledge by attracting and retaining staff with the right skills.
CSE23, scheduled to coincide with COP28 in Dubai, is not just another conventional gathering. It serves as a call to engineers, to be at the heart of climate solutions, inspire innovation, and be the driving force behind the transformative changes urgently needed for our planet.
CSE23 is a pivotal event where these aspirations and initiatives converge, propelling engineering and manufacturing toward a sustainable, climate-resilient future. We hope to see you there.