What do you do if sustainability goals clash with economic constraints in environmental engineering?

1 Identify the trade-offs

The first step to resolve the clash between sustainability and economics is to identify the trade-offs involved in each option. Trade-offs are the benefits and costs of choosing one alternative over another. For example, choosing a renewable energy source over a fossil fuel one may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts, but it may also increase the initial investment and maintenance costs. Environmental engineers need to analyze the trade-offs using tools such as life cycle assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and multi-criteria decision analysis. These tools can help them compare the environmental, economic, and social impacts of different options and select the most feasible and desirable one.

2 Communicate the value

The second step to resolve the clash between sustainability and economics is to communicate the value of the chosen option to the stakeholders, such as clients, investors, regulators, and end-users. Environmental engineers need to explain how their option can deliver both environmental and economic benefits in the short and long term. For example, they can demonstrate how their option can reduce operational costs, increase efficiency, enhance reputation, create new markets, and comply with regulations. Environmental engineers need to use clear, concise, and persuasive language and evidence to convince the stakeholders of the value of their option.

3 Collaborate with others

The third step to resolve the clash between sustainability and economics is to collaborate with others who share the same or similar goals. Environmental engineers need to work with other professionals, such as architects, planners, managers, and policy makers, who can support their option and provide complementary expertise, resources, and perspectives. For example, they can partner with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies who can help them implement their option and ensure its social acceptance and environmental justice. Environmental engineers need to build trust, respect, and mutual understanding with their collaborators and seek win-win solutions.

4 Innovate and adapt

The fourth step to resolve the clash between sustainability and economics is to innovate and adapt to changing conditions and challenges. Environmental engineers need to be creative, flexible, and resilient in finding new ways to improve their option and overcome the barriers and limitations. For example, they can use new technologies, materials, methods, and designs that can enhance the performance, efficiency, and durability of their option and reduce its environmental and economic costs. Environmental engineers need to monitor, evaluate, and learn from their option and make adjustments as needed.

5 Examples of success

Environmental engineers often need to balance sustainability and economics in their projects. For example, a project in Singapore used membrane bioreactor technology to treat domestic wastewater, reducing the dependency on imported water and increasing water security. In Kenya, a project used solar microgrids to provide electricity to rural communities, improving the quality of life and creating local jobs and businesses. Additionally, a project in Sweden used anaerobic digestion to convert organic waste into biogas and biofertilizer, reducing landfilling, emissions, and odors while producing renewable energy and organic fertilizer. Thus, these projects demonstrate how sustainability and economics can be balanced.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?