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22 April 2021
Restoring our Earth - how engineering solutions play a role.
April 22 marks World Earth Day. Now in its 51st year, Earth Day is a global day of environmental action, observed by more than a billion people across 190 countries. The theme for Earth Day 2021 is “Restore our Earth”. It is intended to inspire behavioural and policy changes to start reversing the environmental impacts that human development has had on our planet. The focus is on how we can use natural processes, emerging green technologies and innovative thinking. The emphasis is also on small changes – recognising that while no one can do everything, everyone can do something.
As engineers and scientists working in consulting, we have the skills, knowledge, and influence to play a vital role in the worldwide push to restore our planet. Engineering activities and advancements have greatly contributed to the development of the modern world. It is also now being realised that these activities have also resulted in unintended environmental impacts, which are threatening our natural ecosystems.
The Australian Engineers Declare Climate Change and Biodiversity Movement estimates that engineering activities are connected to more than 65% of Australia’s Greenhouse Gas emissions.
At Tonkin, our core values underpin our operations and the solutions we deliver collaboratively with our clients. Collectively across all our business we recognise that it is no longer acceptable to deliver ‘standard’ hard engineering solutions. The world needs change, and we are up for the challenge.
We care for our planet and believe in working together to reverse the environmental impacts caused by past engineering activities. That’s why we strive to be at the forefront delivering projects that align with the key themes of ‘restoring our earth’.
Below is a snapshot of what we have achieved, and opportunities looking to the future.
Improved waste management
Using natural processes, phytocaps can provide an equivalent or improved ability to limit the entry of water into landfills when compared to clay caps. They can also reduce gas emissions from old landfills (by a factor of up to four), in addition to improving biodiversity.
Tonkin’s waste team has also helped deliver state-of-the-art material recovery facilities (MRFs). MRFs play an important role in facilitating recycling, thereby reducing the strain on our planet caused by the ongoing consumption of earth’s finite resources.
With the focus of waste management moving towards the circular economy, the changes and innovations in waste management are truly exciting.
Green transport solutions
Transport is Australia’s third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for almost 17% of total emissions, with cars being responsible for approximately half of these emissions. Sustainable solutions in the transport sector will require the provision of safe and alternative modes of transport. Powering our public transport services with renewable energy sources will also be key.
Tonkin’s transport team is committed to greener transport solutions. We recently worked with the City of Adelaide to deliver the Frome Street Bikeway, providing a safe cycling route from the inner southern suburbs to the heart of the CBD. We are currently working on extending this critical piece of green infrastructure to the south and north of the CBD.
Our team is also supporting the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s Gawler Rail Electrification Project, which will provide a faster, cleaner, and more reliable public transport service to Adelaide’s rapidly growing outer northern suburbs.
Behind the scenes, we continue to help deliver renewable energy projects, providing engineering support for battery facilities and solar farms across the country, which will aid the electrification of transport systems.
Moving forward, the transport industry will need to continue to strive for more efficient solutions. As engineers we need to work with clients and transport authorities to deliver infrastructure that encourages commuters to leave their cars at home. We also need to explore and embrace alternative materials with higher recycled content and lower embodied energy.
Sustainable building design
In the buildings space, engineers and architects have had an ongoing contribution to the development of more energy and water efficient buildings.
Tonkin contributed to the design of the first office development in New South Wales to achieve a 6 Star Green rating. workplace6 achieved carbon neutral status under NABERS and Climate Active, in alignment with the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
More recent innovations in the building industry have gone beyond water and energy efficiency. Timber is emerging as a new, more sustainable material which is gaining traction for the construction of high-rise structures. Research has shown that on a per-metre basis, the use of timber in high-rise structures can reduce carbon footprints by up to 90%. Opportunities for green buildings, utilising natural processes to cool the urban environment are also being realised.
In the buildings space, we need to embrace new technologies and materials and work with our clients to drive the shift towards ‘green’ innovations becoming the norm.
Valuing water
Tonkin’s water team played a leading role in the design of the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS). The scheme is designed to deliver up to 12 GL of high-quality, treated wastewater to the Northern Adelaide Plains food bowl region. The project will reduce the environmental impacts of wastewater discharges to the Gulf St Vincent, while providing fit-for-purpose and lower cost water to support the development of high-technology horticulture and agri-food production to boost local food supplies.
The future of the water industry will involve new, more efficient technologies powered by renewable resources. Innovation in the water space will also continue to focus on fit-for-purpose solutions, realising the value of ‘waste products’ and reducing the environmental impacts of the industry.
Partnering with local government
Traditionally, stormwater has been viewed as a ‘problem’, with engineering solutions designed to convey the flows away from developed areas as quickly and efficiently as possible. The resultant impacts on the environment have been significant and have included increased erosion of downstream watercourses, degradation of coastal ecosystems and the transport of microplastics into our oceans. Times are changing and we are now working with our clients to develop solutions which reverse the damage that has been done.
The South Park Lands wetland, which is being delivered as part of the Brown Hill and Keswick Creek Stormwater Project, was designed with the primary objective of flood mitigation. However, it is far more than a traditional detention basin.
The wetland will provide water quality benefits, improved amenity and recreational values, opportunities for education and the potential for future stormwater harvesting.
Standard ‘pit and pipe’ projects delivered for local government now incorporate tree pits, infiltration systems, and rain gardens. These elements use natural processes to reduce the discharge of flows and pollutants into receiving environments, while promoting the beneficial use of water for urban greening which can assist with mitigating urban heat island effects.
Moving forward, as engineers we must continue to work with clients to understand the impacts of our designs, explore innovative approaches, and embrace new technologies and natural solutions to minimise the environmental impacts of delivering infrastructure in the local government space.
In summary
As engineers and scientists, we can drive changes that will help restore our planet and reverse past negative impacts of our profession’s advancements.
We have a responsibility to work with our clients to deliver projects that minimise resource use, decrease waste, protect the oceans, cool our cities, deliver sustainable energy sources, and embrace new technologies. Never has it been a more exciting time to be an engineer or scientist.