FACC 400 – Fall 2016

Lecture 7 – Environmental legislation & Sustainable Engineering

1
Today
McGill Office of Sustainability
(MOOS)

https://www.mcgill.ca/sustainability/home

3
Sustainability in engineering at McGill

ž TISED's mission is to produce innovative

engineering and design solutions and intellectual
capacity that enables us to protect and nurture
Earth and its’ inhabitants to meet the needs of
current and future generations.

https://www.mcgill.ca/tised/home

4
Are all engineers from all disciplines
directly concerned by the
environmental legislation?

A. Yes
B. No
C. There are
exceptions

5
 Environmental Legislation
ž Are all engineers directly concerned?
— YES, the Code of Ethics requires that
engineers protect the public welfare, which
includes our environment

A professional
engineer must
refuse to
perform the
action

Make sure to read and know the Code of Ethics of Engineers:

http://www.oiq.qc.ca/Documents/DAJ/Lois/TheCodeofEthicsofEngineers.pdf 6
Environmental Laws, Regulations and
Guidelines - For information only
ž Canadian Environment Protection Act (1999)
— Main federal law regulating the environment
ž Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012)
— Review of federally regulated projects before they are implemented,
encourage sustainable development
ž Every province and territory has environmental laws and
regulations
ž Environmental guidelines are published by several
Associations and by Engineers Canada
— National Guidelines on the Environment and Sustainability, published
by Engineers Canada
○ https://www.engineerscanada.ca/publications/national-guideline-on-environment-and-sustainability

7
What does it imply for engineers?
ž Professional engineers should
— Develop and maintain a reasonable level of understanding,
awareness, and a system of monitoring environmental issues
related to their field of expertise
— Use the appropriate expertise specialists in areas where their
knowledge alone in not adequate to address environmental
issues
— Apply professional and responsible judgment in their
environment considerations
— Ensure that environmental planning and management is
integrated in their activities that are likely to have adverse
effect
— Include the cost of environment protection among essential
factors used for evaluating economic viability of project

8
What do it implies for engineers?
ž Professional engineers should…
— Recognize the value of environmental efficiency and sustainability
and consider Life-cycle assessment
— Engage and solicit input from stakeholders in an open manner and
strive to respond to environmental concerns in a timely fashion
— Comply with regulatory requirements and disclose information
necessary to protect the public safety to appropriate authorities
— Actively work with others to improve environmental understanding
and practices

9
Moving towards sustainable
development

10
Which path(s) represent sustainable
development?

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. A&C
E. A,B&C
11
Planet boundaries concept:
A guide to sustainable development

A set of nine planetary

boundaries within which
humanity can continue to
develop and thrive for
generations to come --
while crossing them
could generate abrupt or
irreversible environmental
changes.

WATCH THE TED TALK: https://www.ted.com/talks/johan_rockstrom

14
Johan Rockström: Let the environment guide our development

15
How can you contribute to
sustainability as an engineer?
ž Every engineering discipline is engaged in sustainable
design, employing numerous initiatives especially
during the design-making process
— Pollution prevention
— Life-cycle analysis
— Design for the environment
— Design for disassembly
— Design for recycling

— Consider social aspects

16
Mid-term Course Evaluation
ž Dr. Maria Orjuela-Laverde
— McGill Teaching and Learning Services

18