IChemE matters - May 1019

Engineers at the heart of energy

Raffaella Ocone, IChemE President 

THE ARTICLES on nuclear in this issue of TCE brought back memories of Italy’s first referendum on nuclear energy. They also prompted wider reflection on the challenges of communicating technical information to the public, the ethical and skills implications of energy choices and the role of engineers in shaping these debates.

We are living in a time that demands rapid decisions on energy, affecting not only our everyday lives but also energy security. In such a context, rigorous technical reasoning cannot be overlooked. The 1987 Italian referendum, held in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, led to the rejection of nuclear power within Italy. Yet the country has continued to rely, in part, on electricity generated from nuclear sources abroad. While this raises important ethical questions, my central point lies elsewhere.

Regardless of the direction taken on energy policy, engineers carry a clear responsibility to ensure the public and decision-makers are well informed about the technical realities of energy choices and their consequences for everyday life. These decisions also shape our professional capabilities. For example, the decline of the chemical industry in the UK – and across Europe – poses risks not only to industrial value chains but also to the preservation of skills, technical expertise and innovation capacity.

Results from the IChemE Employment Survey (bit.ly/icheme-employment-survey-results) highlight uncertainty about the skills that will be most in demand over the coming decade. At the same time, they emphasise the growing importance of problem-solving, critical thinking, communication and adaptability. As chemical engineers play a vital role in navigating and supporting an increasingly fluid landscape, these capabilities must contribute to the core of our profession. The findings from the survey will be further informed by the Presidential Inquiry launched last month into the state of chemical engineering research.

Whatever path we take, one conclusion remains clear: chemical engineering will be central to any new direction across many sectors, not least energy. It is essential that our voice is heard – both to ensure decisions are grounded in sound technical evidence and to equip the next generation of chemical engineers with the flexible skills needed to communicate effectively, innovate and respond to evolving challenges.

If you would like to discuss any of the points raised or have ideas you would like to share, you can contact me at president@icheme.org

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A question of ethics

Dear Editor,

Sam Baker’s excellent article on Xinjiang (Europe’s Chemicals Crisis: Xinjiang, Supply Chains and Human Rights, TCE 1,016) was absolutely right to call them “complex questions”. Chartered Engineers commit to a strict code of ethics, which is increasingly challenging in today’s world. We must hold “innocent until proven guilty” as a precious concept of liberal democracy. We must also challenge a government that renounces allegations of genocide and forced labour without allowing independent investigation. The human story of Rahima Mahmut is incredible and heartbreaking. I have moved across the world twice but cannot imagine being away from my wife and young children for two years. It naturally prompts me to ask what I can do. As citizens we can advocate for government sanctions (as with warring Russia) and as employees we can advocate for our companies to cease business with regions like Xinjiang. As a last resort, we ultimately have the option to vote with our feet and leave companies that behave unethically, draining them of valuable talent. While we cannot all expect to change the world, we can expect to complete our careers with a clean conscience.

Jonathan Pelly MIChemE

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Skills in a changing world

Mitchell Clark, Head of Policy

IChemE has hosted a series of roundtable discussions on the skills needed to support industrial decarbonisation and the growth of low-carbon technologies, bringing together perspectives from across education and industry. Sessions held over the past year – including events in Scotland and Wales – offered useful insight into how training and workforce needs are evolving.

Industrial decarbonisation and the move towards net zero are promoting changes in the industrial landscape which are not only impacting those entering or in the workforce but also how people in education are taught. It is a policy area where we see government, industry, charities and educators increasingly come together.

One of my favourite insights from these sessions was how “green skills” are conceptualised. While there is growing interest in the term – often used to describe the knowledge needed to support a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy – many participants pointed out that these are not new skills.

Chemical engineering has long focused on designing and operating efficient systems. Applying these skills to minimise emissions, consume less energy or promote circularity is not a departure but a natural extension. While this might seem like semantic point, it impacts how chemical engineering is viewed and in a changing industrial sector it is important that the transferability and flexibility of these skills is known so people understand the importance of chemical engineering.

Another theme that emerged was the challenge of aligning education and skills policy across different systems. While approaches vary between regions and countries, many industries operate across borders and depend on a consistent pipeline of talent. Ensuring alignment between education, policy and industrial strategy will be key to supporting the transition.

For more on our work: www.icheme.org/policy