Engineering as a profession has worked to address sustainability(Mann and Smith 2007a,b).  It is explicitly in the IPENZ (2005) code of ethics (although is somewhat narrowly defined as “environment”).

IPENZ code of ethics rule 4

Sustainable Management and Care of the Environment: Members shall recognise and respect the need for sustainable management of the planet's resources and endeavour to minimise adverse environmental impacts of their engineering activities for both present and future generations.

Under this clause you should have due regard to:

4.1 Using resources efficiently.

4.2 Endeavouring to minimise the generation of waste and encouraging environmentally sound reuse, recycling and disposal.

4.3 Recognising adverse impacts of your engineering activities on the environment and seeking to avoid or mitigate them.

4.4 Recognising the long-term imperative of sustainable management throughout your engineering activities. (Sustainable Management is often defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs).

Alignment with The Dublin, Washington and Washington Accords will require further embedding of sustainability at a learning outcome level.

• IPENZ code of ethics – re-aligning Engineering programmes with Dublin Accord
• Building sustainability trailer for solar hot water display
• Boxes for recycling heavy metals

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