INNOVATION January-February 2014

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In Support of Sustainability for Engineering and Geosciences Katherine Louman-Gardiner, EIT, and Pamela Rogalski, P.Eng.

Sustainability is more than a buzzword—it is a growing paradigm that frames best practices for environmental and social stewardship. Sustainability is part of the APEGBC Code of Ethics to “hold para- mount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, [and] the protec- tion of the environment.” As professionals and community leaders, engineers and geoscientists not only have an important role to play in the protection of the environment, but also have the opportunity to be world leaders in the emerging field of sustainable design. However, the social and environmental challenges that engineers and geoscientists face today are increasingly complex; deciding what actions fulfill our ethical responsibilities is no longer a simple mat- ter. These decisions are often complicated by economic constraints and other competing interests. In addition to ensuring environmen- tal sustainability, positive outcomes for any infrastructure project must include buy-in from local communities and First Nations. Many engineers and geoscientists have little or no experience with land access protocols, consultation processes, or viable mitigation measures. Yet, without these skills, projects are at risk of opposition and not only design failure, but failure to meet the social steward- ship outcomes for local communities.

In accordance with its Sustainability Guidelines, APEGBC is offering the following professional development seminars in March 2014 to enable engineers and geoscientists to integrate sustainability into their practice and projects and develop clear justification for the implementation of sustainable design solutions: Meeting the Client’s Needs • Environmental Social & Economic Criteria Seminar – March 7, 2014 This seminar will connect engineers and geoscientists with the net- work and resources they need to meet their clients’ needs and fulfill their responsibilities for social and environmental stewardship. The seminar is designed to break down the barriers that are prevent- ing the construction of state-of-the-art sustainable infrastructure and provide clients with the sustainability best practices they are requesting for their projects. Fundamentals on Aboriginal Rights, Consultation, and Accommodation Requirements – March 11, 2014 This seminar will help engineers and geoscientists develop their projects with local community buy-in at the earliest stages and yield a more positive outcome for all project stakeholders. The seminar is designed to provide an introduction to engineers and geoscientists

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