A group of experts from across the spectrum of engineering has been assembled to advise the government on reaching net zero emissions.
The National Engineering Policy Centre, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering, has convened the group to help address the threat posed by climate change and support the government’s goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
This will include making recommendations for a recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in a way that puts the UK on track for net zero.
The group is chaired by Dervilla Mitchell, a director at consultant Arup, with Prof Nilay Shah, head of the chemical engineering department at Imperial College, as vice-chair. The 14-strong membership includes representation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the IChemE, the Energy Institute and consultant Buro Happold as well as a range of academics.
Areas it plans to cover include:
- Rebuilding after COVID-19: recommendations for a recovery that puts the UK on track for net zero
- Net zero explained: how the UK’s climate target fits into the global sustainability challenge
- Priority actions and upcoming decision points
- Decarbonising construction: tackling the operation and supply chain of one of the most challenging sectors.
RAEng president Sir Jim McDonald said: “The National Engineering Policy Centre is uniquely placed to galvanise and lead the engineering community to focus on activities that can deliver practical, deployable solutions. As engineers we can capitalise on our experience and use of systems approaches to create practical solutions and help the government to make tough and lasting decisions that will reduce harmful emissions while creating jobs and benefitting people’s lives.”
The National Engineering Policy Centre, set up last year, connects policymakers with engineering expertise to respond to policy issues of national importance. The centre, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering, is an partnership between 40 different UK engineering organisations representing 450,000 engineers.
Further info: www.raeng.org.uk/policy/national-engineering-policy-centre
Net Zero launch paper: www.raeng.org.uk/net-zero