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Comment and Environment

The green transition will fail without more engineers

Let's lose the old stereotypes about engineering, because attracting new talent is crucial to meeting net-zero goals, says Dr Hayaatun Sillem

By Dr Hayaatun Sillem

25 October 2023

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Michelle D’urbano

DEBATE around net-zero ambitions continues to consume the global news agenda, from UK prime minister Rishi Sunak’s changes to key green targets, to estimates that a full net-zero transition across US infrastructure will cost over $100 trillion. Despite uncertainties, one stark reality is already clear: we lack sufficient numbers of engineers to deliver even the commitments already enshrined in legislation. While it rarely makes the headlines, this issue will be defining if left unaddressed.

The green transition requires decarbonisation across every sector, and innovative engineering solutions are needed to achieve this. From breakthroughs in biodegradable packaging to improvements in…

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