Climate alliance seeks more engineering institutions

THE Future Climate-Engineering Solutions (FC-ES) project, of which IChemE is a member, has released its Phase 4 Framework which encourages other engineering institutions to participate.

The FC-ES was set up in 2008 by the Danish Society of Engineers (IDA) after it was recognised that engineers could work to fill the gap between climate science and public policy by implementing practical and affordable solutions. It was launched ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC’s) Convention of Parties (COP) 15 held in Denmark in 2009.

The overall goal of FC-ES is for engineering institutions to work with their governments on engineering-based climate and energy plans with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, defined as limiting the global temperature increase to 2°C.

The Phase 4 Framework, Energy and Climate Planning to 2050, was launched on 9 February and outlines background information on the project, best practices from the experience in the last ten years, and guidelines for new member institutions on preparing an Energy and Climate Plan relevant to their home country.

FC-ES intends to hold a symposium later this year where countries can share their energy and climate plans.

IChemE’s Jacob Ohrvik-Stott said “Overcoming climate change is the foremost challenge for engineers in the 21^st century. Targets for the reduction of carbon emissions have been set at around 80% for developed nations and the UK government has adopted targets that will require a 57% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

“Such a radical change needs well-thought-through, clearly-defined plans and for engineers to come together to support each other in order to meet the aims set out in the UN’s Paris Agreement. If we are to transition to a low-carbon society, then engineers will play a vital role in providing practical and proven solutions.”

Thomas Damkjær Petersen, president of the IDA said: "When we had the idea in 2008 to bring the engineering voice alongside the existing voices in driving change for our climate, we had no idea where this journey would take us. As we start the 4th phase with this report, I'm extremely proud that we continue to bring that voice, and that Danish engineers alongside engineers from across the world continue to bring practical, tested, and understood ideas to the public, to interested parties and to governments.”