ICE defines sustainability as meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow.

While sustainability can refer to simple actions like recycling and using public transport, it has a particular impact on civil engineering. Use of sustainable materials, reducing the energy needs of a building through the use of solar panels and low energy lighting, and super insulation are all tools a civil engineer will use to ensure the sustainability of any project they undertake.

ICE encourages sustainability in all of its members. We recognise the need to protect and enhance the environment and to use resources in a way that does not disadvantage future generations.

The ICE sustainability charter was launched in June 2003 and outlines our commitment to sustainable development. Click here to download the charter and read it in full.  

BedZED: A Case Study

BedZED is a sustainable, attractive and affordable housing community in South East England.

Civil engineers worked to reduce the energy demands of 100 homes and 2,500m² of commercial space. They then met the reduced demand for energy with renewable resources including passive solar heating and wood-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP). These energy sources resulted in zero net fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and zero fossil energy development, or `ZED´.

While BedZED´s tenants can lead sustainable and energy-efficient lifestyles by using local resources, recycling and by reducing water consumption and transport, engineers have used other techniques to reduce the amount of energy they require. Super insulation, high-performance glazing, air-tight details and natural ventilation that also recovers heat were used. A reed-bed based `Living Machine´ was created to treat sewage and recycle water to underground tanks where it is stored with collected rainwater for toilet flushing. Photovoltaic cells on each block produce electricity to power 40 electric cars used by tenants.