In this episode of Amplified, we wrap up our special mini-series on sustainability with an episode discussing the importance of mindset shifts in achieving Ireland's 2030 renewable energy targets.
Henry Boucher and Terry Wilkinson, experts in renewable and civil engineering respectively, emphasise the impact of small changes in sustainability.
Terry highlights cost-effective measures like wildlife ladders for amphibians, while Henry focuses on early integration of biodiversity considerations in projects. Both stress the importance of community engagement, effective communication, and practical steps like reducing material use and measuring embodied carbon.
They advocate continuous improvement and collaboration to achieve broader sustainability goals.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
- The need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shifts
- How biodiversity can be enhanced through subtle project design changes
- The need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shifts
- Designing infrastructure to cope with extreme weather
- Challenges in balancing safety, cost, and environmental benefit
GUEST DETAILS
Henry Boucher is a Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-bouchier-271b6b18/#
Terry Wilkinson is a Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management. As a Civil Engineer for ACO, Terry has focused his career predominantly on the highways industry, both in his 11 years at ACO and prior to this working as a client, consultant and contractor for Local Authority highways. He is a member of the CIHT and is working towards his chartered engineer status with CPD at the heart of this journey. His professional interests are focused on wildlife mitigation solutions and highway surface water management; however, he also has a broader understanding of applications for other areas such as rail, housing, commercial and distribution developments. Biodiversity and wildlife are things he is also passionate about personally and he is actively involved in initiatives such as local toad patrols.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-wilkinson-beng-mciht/
MORE INFORMATION
Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer.
https://www.engineersireland.ie/
Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by
DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.
QUOTES
We never get to net zero unless we have a wide variety of renewable energy sources, and then we have some backup
— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB
Often with sustainability, people have these massive identity, massive cost ideas... but often some of the smaller measures can really have positive impacts
— Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management
It's a mindset shift that has technical solutions. We just have to think a little bit differently how we do things
— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB
Everything in nature and wildlife is linked. If you have a decline of a certain species, it will have a knock-on effect to something else
— Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management
Do one thing right, and then you can go back and improve something else. Just improve one thing is probably the way to do it
— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB
KEYWORDS
#SustainableEngineering #RenewableEnergy #BiodiversityInfrastructure #ClimateInnovation