On August 9, 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest report, which finds that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying. In response to the report, Engineers Australia CEO, Dr Bronwyn Evans AM, said:
“The IPCC report presents a stark and accelerating risk to all communities, impacting the current and future work of engineers.
“The findings further confirm what engineers are already grappling with heightened risks to our built environment and communities. All countries must heed the warning of today’s report and take urgent steps to limit warming to 1.5 degrees.
“As the creators of low emissions solutions and managers of our built environment, engineers are ready to meet the climate challenge.
“Engineers will play a vital role, not only in building resilience in a new climate, but importantly, in cutting emissions to mitigate extreme climate change.
“Australia’s particular exposure to climate change will pose ever-greater challenges to our physical world. Climate adaptation and resilience demands sophisticated engineering solutions in every part of the community. Achieving the needed pace and scale will require new and affordable technologies and systems.
“The IPCC report highlights that mitigation, adaptation and resilience to climate change requires government to bring engineers to the table.
“Engineers Australia is committed to working with government, business and communities to deliver the changes called for by the IPCC.
“Our profession must be at the centre of change, and Engineers Australia is committed to leading the way.”
Read the IPCC Working Group I report, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, here.
