Sustainability

What is sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet thier own needs

What are the three pillars of sustainabilty

1. Environmental - protect ecosystems and resources

2. Social - support wellbeing,equity and communities

3. Economic - ensure long-term financial viability

What does systems thinking mean in sustainability

Understanding how interconnected components (people, environment,  technology, economy) influence one another within a larger system.

Why is systems thinking important for engineers

It helps identify indirect effects, feedback loops, and long-term impacts of engineering decisions

What is Life Cycle Thinking

Considering all stages of a products life - from raw material extraction to disposal - when assessing impacts

What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A structured method to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or process across its entire life cycle

What are the four main stages of an LCA

1. Goal and scope definition

2. Inventory analysis (inputs & outputs)

3. Impact assessment (environmental effects)

4. Interpretation (draw conclusions)

What are common impact categories in LCA

Greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, resource depletion, toxicity, water use, and waste generation

What is a functional unit in LCA

The quantified description of a product’s function (e.g., “1km of road built” or 1 kWh of electricity”)

What are the boundaries of an LCA

Define which stages are included - e.g, “cradle-to-grave”, “cradle- to gate”, or “gate-to-gate”

What are feedback loops in systems thinking

• Positive feedback: Amplifies change (e.g Co → warming → more CO)

• Negative feedback: stabilises the system (e.g. thermostat control)

What is a leverage point in a system

A place where small changes can create large impacts (e.g, policy, incentives, or education

What are emergent properties

System behaviours that arise from interactions between components (e.g., traffic congestion from individual driver choices)

How can engineers integrate sustainability into projects

• Minimise resource use and waste

• Design for durability and reuse

• Consider whole-of-life costs

• Engage with affected communities

• Align with Treat principles and ethical frameworks

What is eco-efficiency

Delivering more value with less environmental impact

What is design disassembly

Designing products so components can be easily separated, reused, or recycled

What are trade-offs in sustainable design

Balancing environmental, social, and economic objectives - e.g., low cost vs. long-term sustainability