Sustainability - The next chapter

In the last decade significant progress has been made in recognising and understanding the issues in sustainability. Much remains to be done because the science that underlies sustainability is still far from exact. Given the natural abilities of chemical engineers with systems analysis, balances and modelling, there is a key role for chemical engineering science to play in its development. An integrated approach requires addressing cascading levels of sustainability objectives. The levels are global objectives, industry strategy, enterprise targets, specific targets and individual actions/measurement outcomes. We need to consider the reality of the cascade effect-is it possible for global objectives to cascade all the way down to individual actions and what will be the effect of each of the steps between? Exploration of the existing metrics and sustainability systems in relation to these cascading levels reveals that there is no single approach that can address both global responsibilities and enterprise and company interests. It is time for a framework for sustainability to be developed that can be used across all scales of application. Indicators that address all levels of sustainability goals will enable a paradigm shift, allowing us to move beyond individual problems and to offer options on the pathway to the ultimate solution. Without these indicators it is difficult to translate our broad goals into decision-making processes. Reliable indicators would also assist companies to resist the pressures that work against sustainability, for example, those from investors for short-term returns. Chemical engineering has a history of embracing new disciplines and has a special role to play in the change process. An understanding at the micro and molecular levels and the integration of this knowledge into macro systems will be integral to the shift towards process engineering addressing the sustainability framework. Breakthroughs in greenhouse gas reduction, climate change prevention and process redesign will require a strong base of chemical engineering science. I see opportunities for chemical engineers to play a leadership role by collaborating with other industries in building critical mass and contributing to step change beyond best practice, by broadening the scope of the discipline and by restructuring chemical engineering education at an individual level. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.