Leveraging blockchain for humanitarian aid delivery: Opportunities and challenges - An analysis of the feasibility and implications of using cryptocurrencies for aid This dissertation explores the potential of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to address challenges in humanitarian aid...
Identification of barriers to the electrification of road freight and evaluation of strategies to overcome them In the context of the climate change objectives, road freight is a challenging sector to decarbonise. The solutions currently discussed range from decarbonised fuels to hydrogen and...
Influences on decarbonisation project financing in practice: The case of Australia Financing has been identified as a crucial enabler for decarbonisation, but there is broad recognition that current financial flows appear insufficient to achieve the well below 2° C aspiration as set out in the...
Navigating Ireland’s offshore future Ireland is aiming for 37 gigawatts of offshore renewable energy (ORE) by 2050. Opportunities and challenges do exist for these high-cost, high-risk and technologically advanced offshore developments. However, consideration for long-term hazards and resilience is...
Exploring the effectiveness of copper recycling in reducing anticipated UK demand for primary copper extraction Copper is ubiquitous in modern industrialised society, and demand for copper in the future is expected to continue to rise with population growth. Furthermore, copper is essential for the...
Strategies for embedding engineering for sustainable development in undergraduate teaching The significant challenges of sustainable development necessitate that we equip the next generation of engineers with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to mitigate climate change, manage global risks...
Applicability of solar powered irrigation systems in Afghanistan Afghanistan, a war-torn country in South Asia, is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, grappling with severe weather events such as droughts and flooding. In addition to water scarcity, inefficient irrigation practices...
Implications of water access for achieving Sustainable Development Goals: A case study in Malawi With billions of people around the world lacking access to safe drinking water, the water sector remains a key part of development initiatives globally. Water access is crucial to enabling achievement...
Food security under climate change: Assessing potential interventions to alleviate food insecurity in Kenya The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that ~30% of the global population is moderately or severely food insecure. Climate change is expected to impact food security through...
Steel circularity in New Zealand’s construction sector: A critical review of the option space Steel is an indispensable material in modern construction, but the manufacturing process contributes significantly to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. By increasing recycling and reuse, we can continue to...
The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.
Perspectives
An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.
Change
An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.
Tools
An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.
