2013 AIChE Annual Meeting

(36b) Sustainability Practice in Industry

Author

Powell, J. - Presenter, Shell International Exploration & Production



This seminar will address how sustainability is implemented in industry, with real world examples from the energy and chemical processing industries.   Topics will include making the case for sustainability, sustainability metrics and reporting, the importance of considering sustainability early during new process or product development, and how industry may be organized to incorporate sustainability principles into decision making.    The importance of external stakeholder engagement in project planning and execution will be addressed.  

In industry, sustainability is viewed as a key enabler for license to operate, and can be seen as a driver for much of the new innovation and development in our profession.   Competency in life cycle inventory and overall environmental footprint and social impact assessment has become increasingly important in assessing preferred opportunities for technology development and business deployment.   Demand for excellence in safe and responsible implementation and performance will continue strong for the developed world, and dissemination of best technologies and practices to developing economies will be critical for addressing global sustainability needs and environmental challenges.