The Breaking Silos series continues with early career professionals reflecting on how nature can address the climate and biodiversity crises.
Nature plays a crucial role in combatting the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Yet, its full potential is still underappreciated and untapped.
To address this challenge, we must prioritise nature conservation, promote nature-positive solutions, and foster collaboration between private and public sectors.
Shifting industry mindsets is essential for achieving these goals.
What challenges does nature face?
The State of Nature Report 2023 by Natural England highlights that the UK is among the most nature-depleted countries globally.
Key issues include:
- poor condition of protected sites;
- limited space for wildlife;
- pollution;
- pressures on farming, forestry, and fisheries; and
- the decline of rare and lost species.
The report stresses the importance of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which includes the commitment by nations to protect 30% of their land and seas for nature by 2030.
Biodiversity loss threatens whole industries
An Environment Analyst article states that half of global GDP (~$44tn) heavily depends on natural resources.
Construction, agriculture and the food industries are the most vulnerable to have their operations disrupted by biodiversity loss.
We must also consider the global growth projections, and the space needed to meet human needs.
Engineering developments play a crucial role in driving economic growth and job creation, improving quality of life, benefitting the environment, and enhancing transport and communication connectivity.
Investing in sustainable infrastructure ensures communities are resilient to future challenges such as climate change.
So, how can the UK balance prioritising space for nature with society’s need for development?
Why be nature positive
As early career professionals, we play a vital role in promoting nature-positive thinking. Nature positive refers to stopping and reversing biodiversity loss.
Nature-positive actions show improvements to the health, abundance, diversity and resilience of species, ecosystems and natural processes. It means far more than ‘wildlife friendly’.
With the complexity of nature, we must consider all parts of a project and how they can contribute to a nature-positive future.
How can we be more nature positive in our work?
The challenge ahead is complex but promising. We’ve developed five actions that you, as early career professionals, can take to be a part of the solution:
1. Collaborate across disciplines
Engage with professionals from diverse fields to expand your pool of thought.
Solutions often emerge at the intersection of science, engineering, policy, and social sciences.
Collaborate with organisations with common goals to multiply the benefits and diversify income streams.
Through my work in the blue green infrastructure team at WSP and as one of the 2024 ICE Future Leaders, I have observed a growing movement recognising the importance of nature positive thinking.
However, it’s also clear that there is still more to be achieved.
We need to bring nature and people to the forefront of our work, demonstrate the benefits and value gained from nature positive solutions and collaborate across industries.
Ramsha Saleem
2. Incorporate nature and people
Consider nature and people at the very start of a project.
Whether you’re a graduate or senior engineer, scientist, or designer, explore how your projects can enhance ecosystems rather than harm them.
For instance, urban planning can prioritise green spaces and wildlife corridors to improve mental health and biodiversity.
Working in Savills’ natural capital team, I have noticed that clients are becoming more proactive when it comes to nature-positive thinking.
They want to know how their organisations can deliver government nature recovery targets and ask for advice on how they can use the natural assets within their estate to support net zero.
Alice Slattery
3. Become champions:
Whatever your business, nature matters.
Raise awareness about the importance of nature conservation and sustainable practices within your professional network.
For example, you could share a LinkedIn post or webinar invite relating to nature.
Encourage colleagues and organisations to upgrade systems and processes to account for nature and explore growth opportunities.
Use your voice and challenge senior leaders where you can see nature-positive thinking benefitting a project or client.
4. Stay informed
Keep up with research, policies, and innovations related to nature-positive thinking.
Attend conferences, workshops, and webinars held by organisations within and outside your technical area.
Upcoming nature-positive events include Ecosystems Knowledge Network’s Nature Finance UK 2024 Conference and CIRIA’s Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) 2024 Conference.
5. Lead by example
Don’t act only because you have to, act because you know it’s good for the planet, society and business.
Practice personal and professional sustainable habits – reduce waste, choose low-carbon travel, volunteer with a conservation charity – others will notice and follow suit.
As a highways engineer at Arup and past chair of the Early Careers Network (ECNet), I have witnessed directly how putting nature first can not only provide an effective engineering solution, but also positively change people’s lives.
Providing greener infrastructure yields direct and indirect benefits. It’s important that as an industry we learn more about these indirect benefits and how we can accurately evaluate them.
This allows us to have more progressive, informed discussions with stakeholders of why nature is so important. We cannot afford to neglect nature. We should embrace it.
Elliott Webb
Reconnect with nature
One of the simplest actions we can all take is to reconnect with nature.
By reflecting on why we enjoy being outdoors and recognising the physical and mental benefits it brings, we can passionately advocate for the importance of nature and encourage a mindset shift.
The climate and biodiversity crises are challenges larger than any individual. Collaboration across disciplines, organisations, and institutions is essential for finding solutions.
We can all contribute to shaping a better world, and embracing this opportunity together is crucial.
We encourage you to connect with local early-career networks to find like-minded individuals who share the same goal.
Building your professional network early in your career could be the key to shaping a better future.
You can find more information about your local early careers network on the ICE and CIWEM websites:
- ICE Early Careers Network
- Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Early Careers Network
The Breaking Silos series
Read more from early career professionals from the ICE and the CIWEM:
