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Summary of Main Themes,
Topics & Case Studies
BREE 420: Engineering for Sustainability
Ian Adamowski
1
Basis of Course
1. Overview of principles + frameworks + methods in ES beyond those gained from a
traditional first engineering degree.
2. Complement other engineering courses at McGill in water, energy, design, etc….
3. Try to firmly root course in practical experience & draw heavily on real examples in
addition to theory.
Approaches of different engineering firms + other organizations.
What is being done in practice.
What is not being done.
Etc.
2
Main Topics
Explored
in BREE 420
3
1. Overview of sustainable development.
2. Overview of engineering for sustainability.
Main principles of engineering for sustainability.
3. Role of engineers in sustainability.
Topic: Role of Engineers in Sustainability
4
1. Engaging stakeholders in engineering project design + implementation.
2. Issues/challenges with engaging stakeholders in engineering projects.
Topic: Stakeholder Engagement
5
1. Different stakeholder levels:
Product/project; Company; Supply Chain; Market; Wider level (local stakeholders, ..)
2. Participatory methods:
Internal Team Workshops; Eco-Charrettes; Supply Chain Workshops;
Forums; Group model building, etc.
3. How to select a participatory method based on:
Participatory goals; Level of participation; Stakeholder type/number
4. Formulating a coherent & logical participatory process plan.
E.g.: Scientific storyline using group model building as method
5. Phases in managing a multi-stakeholder process.
Multi Stakeholder Methods & Processes
To Engage Different Types of Stakeholders in
Engineering Product/Project Design & Implementation
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1. Life cycle assessment as an SD tool in the engineering sector.
LC costing + LC assessment
2. LCA examples / case studies.
Environmental engineering field
Various products
Topic: Life Cycle Assessment
7
Operationalizing sustainability at the project level.
1. FIDIC Project Sustainability Management System
2. GoldSet – SD decision support tool for engineering projects
Topic: Frameworks to Design & Deliver a Sustainable Engineering Project
8
FIDIC PSM:
Process to Develop SD Engineering Project Goals & Indicators.
1. Framework of ‘core’ project SD goals & corresponding indicators
Both map back to whole-society priorities & goals of Agenda 21, & corresponding
CSD UN sustainability indicators.
and
2. Process for adjusting these SD project goals & indicators
Making them consistent with vision & goals of project owner, compliant with Agenda 21, &
tailored to local issues, priorities & stakeholder concerns.
PSM process addresses life cycle of the project
from concept development through to design, construction, operation,
deconstruction & disposal/re-use/recycling/.....
9
1. Systems Thinking
2. Systems Dynamics Modeling (SDM)
Qualitative modeling: causal loop diagrams; feedback loops; etc.
Quantitative modeling: coupled physical-SDM models
3. Engaging Stakeholders in Engineering Design via Group SDM
Group model building via causal loop diagrams
Group case studies
Topic: Systems Thinking & Modeling
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“Mental model” - What a person thinks about the system
Group
Quantitative SD Model
Group
Causal Loop Diagram
Holistic system perspective
Mental model –
Individual Causal Loop Diagram
Potable WaterDemand
Water Scarcity(Problem Variable)
Save Water Policy
Subsidise WaterSaving Equipment
Policy "Increase thePrice of Water"
Price of PotableWater
Customization toPrice Level
Affordability ofWater
ConsciousConsumption
Behavior
+
+
+
-
+
+-+
Economic Situationof Households
+
+
Efficiency ofDomestic Water Use
-
Awareness ofEconomical Win-Win
Situations
Incentives for WaterSaving Behavior
+
+
Pressure on MajorUser Groups+
+
Public AwarenessCampaigns
+
PublicParticipation
+
+
+
EconomicDevelopment
+B
"Increase thePrice"-Policy Loop
R
CustomizationLoop
B
AwarenessCampaign Loop
B
Subsidize WaterSaving Equipment
B
Self-Initiative ofWater User Groups
Loop
Programs to ReduceWater Consumption
+
+
Application of WaterSaving Technology
+
+
+
+
Water Wastage- Hotline+
+
Water-ConsumptionEducation
++
R
ConsumerEducation Loop
HotlineMechanism
B
1
6
4
7
2
3
5
Aquifer
Surface WaterStorage
Non-PotableWater Supply
Potable WaterSupply
Withdrawal for Non-Potable Water Supply
Pumping for Non-Potable Water Supply
Withdrawal forDomestic Use
Wastewater
UnusedDischarge
Reuse forIrrigation
Desalination
Potable Water Use
Irrigation WaterUse
Pumping forDomestic Sector
Surface Water toOcean
Effluent toAquifer
Agriculture
OutflowPercolation to
GWSoil Water
Landscaping&A
menities
Industry WaterUse
<EnvironmentalFlow SW>
EFSW
Problem ofWater Scarcity
Quality of Water
Water Demand
Rainfall
AmbientTemperature
Climate Change
+-
+
-+
-
Cost of Water
Standard of Living
ConsumerDissatisfaction
ConflictAmongst Users
Water Quantities
Environment
Development ofFurther Sources
Reuse
Desalination
TreatedDomestic Effluent
Greywater WithinHousehold
+
+
+
+
-
+
-
+ +
+
-
-
+
WaterConservation-
DemandManagement
Leakage
+
-
Public Participation(to reduce wastage)
+
Institutional Problems(Fragmentation of Water
Sector)
Pressure fromUsers
Lack of Strategic PolicyImplementation and
Planning
EnvironmentalThreats
-
-
Lack of IncentivesLack of Proper Controland Accountability of
Water Utilities
-
-
Water Use inDomestic/Agriculture/Industry/Tourism
Sector
+
--
--
-
-
+
Prioritization ofSectors
+ +
-
+
+
-
-
Subsidies
+
R
B
EnvironmentalDegradation Loop
Supply -Environment Loop
B
DesalinationSupply Loop
B
Reuse SupplyLoop
B
DemandManagement Loop
R
DemandManagement
Adaptation Loop
+
B
Cost Loop
B
Participation -Environment Loop
B
Participation -Conservation Loop
Water Scarcity
1
1
800 mm/Year
0.75
0.75
600 mm/Year
0.5
0.5
400 mm/Year
0.25
0.25
200 mm/Year
0
0
0 mm/Year
1978 1996 2015 2033 2051
Years
Water Scarcity Agriculture : run1
"Water Scarcity Domestic + Tourism" : run1
Annual Precipitation Data : run1 mm/Year
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Topic: Multi Criteria Decision Analysis
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1. Bottom up change via a better understanding of CC attributes.
2. Top down change via CC programs based on understanding of CC attributes.
3. Windows of opportunity + experimenting in niches.
4. Steps & tools for change management.
Basic understanding of: acting as a change agent/champion + change management.
Topic: Leading Change Towards Sustainability in an Engineering Company
13
Case Studies of Implementation of ES in Different Sectors
Main case studies:
Urban engineering: City of Montreal Division of SD
Energy engineering: Envint Consulting
Renewable energy, nuclear, conventional, etc.
Agricultural/Biological engineering: McGill
Water engineering: Amec Land & Water
Wastewater treatment Golder Associates
Highway engineering: Amec Land & Water
Green infrastructure/development/construction: Exp Engineering
Building engineering: Colorado School
Transportation engineering: Velo Quebec
Construction engineering: Exp Engineering
Cleantech sector Ecotech Quebec
14
