Principles of Sustainable Engineering

Within this section, we review the Principles of Sustainable Engineering that were developed at the SanDestin conference, and provide a brief discussion of each of the principles. First, the principles are stated in their entirety. Then, an elaboration is provided to put these principles into an appropriate engineering context. 

To fully implement sustainable engineering solutions, engineers use the following principles  

Engineer processes and products holistically, use systems analysis, and integrate environmental impact assessment tools. 

Conserve and improve natural ecosystems while protecting human health and well-being. 

Ensure that all material and energy inputs and outputs are as inherently safe and benign as possible. 

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This section provides an introductory overview of some of the concepts and ideas that underlie the development of sustainable design approaches. This overview is followed by a discussion of cradle-to-cradle design, a lifecycle-based approach to material assessment and product design, and a brief discourse on the emerging principles of sustainable engineering. These correspond to some of the emerging... 

Professional Practice (e.g., ASCE Policy Statement 418 The Role of the Civil Engineer in Sustainable Development The 12 principles of Green Engineering ). 

Engineers shall strive to adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to protect the environment for future generation. ... 

Finally, it is worth mentioning that a successful integration of catalytic reaction steps with product separation and catalyst recovery operations will also be dependent on innovative chemical reaction engineering. This will require the widespread application of sustainable engineering principles [48].In this context process intensification , which involves the design of novel reactors of increased volumetric productivity and selectivity with the aim of integrating different unit operations to reactor design, and miniaturization will play pivotal roles [49, 50]. 

However, it could also be argued that CDIO is already fundamentally aligned with the ideas of sustainability engineers are said to conceive, design, implement and operate complex technical systems with the entire product/process/system lifecycle in mind. Moreover, sustainability is a complex concept It includes three main dimensions economic, environmental, and social sustainability, including both subject matter and judgmental aspects, such as, ethics and decision-making [14]. There are many places in the CDIO Syllabus that emphasize the lifecycle perspective, for example, requirements should cover aU phases of the lifecycle analyses should be made of lifecycle values and costs and product retirement should be planned ahead. With this broader perspective in mind, links between sustainability principles and CDIO Syllabus topics can be identified [15]. 

The concepts of process miniaturization and process intensification have developed considerably in chemical engineering since the 1990s, in relation to the principle of sustainable development. These concepts often appear as potential solutions not only to meet the societal demand concerning a smaller, cheaper and safer chemical industry, but also to satisfy an ever more dynamic market in search of portable, distributed and responsive process solutions. 

From these and other concepts, the workshop delegates identified the following key principles comprising a working definition of sustainable engineering ... 

Green engineering can be defined as a process to develop products, processes, or systems with minimal environmental impacts. The full product life cycle is developed when evaluating the environmental sustainability of the product, process, or system. The 12 principles of green engineering are as follows (McDonough, Braungart, Anastas, and Zimmerman 2003) ... 

Our commitment to the environment is also recognized in Canon 1 with the requirement that engineers "shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development.. . . " The Code defines sustainable development as the "challenge of meefing human needs for material resources, industrial products, energy, food, fransportation. .. while conserving and protecting environmental quality and the material resource base essential for future development" (See Chapter 7). 

Engineers whose professional judgment is overruled imder circumstances where the safety, health and welfare of the public are endangered, or the principles of sustainable development ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the possible consequences. 

Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the principles of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the general public. (ASCE 2006b)... 

Canon 1 Engineers shall hold paramount (emphasis added) the safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties. 

The engineer acts according to the principles of sustainable development . (CNISF 2001, art. 4, translation by the authors)... 

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