Introduction to Sustainable Development

This one-day course on Sustainable Infrastructure Development provides an insightful overview of key aspects of sustainable development relevant for civil and infrastructure professionals. Key areas of sustainable development for infrastructure projects are covered, with particular emphasis on emerging requirements around climate change, biodiversity and circularity. 

The course is framed around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is ideal for those working towards professional qualifications at all levels. 

Sessions begin at 9:00 and finish at 17:00. Morning and afternoon coffee breaks and lunch are included in the programme.

1. Foundations of Sustainability

Introduces the core principles of sustainability, including its evolution, the three pillars (environmental, economic, and social), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Also explores frameworks such as the design hierarchy for reducing embodied carbon and the dynamics between stakeholders in sustainable construction.

2. Policy, Legislation & Guidance

Covers major UK and EU sustainability strategies and legislation such as the Climate Change Act, Environment Act and the Social Value Act. Also includes practical information on EPCs, DECs, and the Construction Playbook to guide sustainable practice across the built environment.

3. Environmental Risk

Explains how Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and risk assessments are used to evaluate and mitigate environmental risks in projects. Includes real-world examples and the use of conceptual site models to manage contamination.

4. Nature & Biodiversity

Focuses on biodiversity decline and the legislative responses, including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and DEFRA’s biodiversity metrics. Emphasises the integration of biodiversity goals into planning and development through local strategies.

5. Climate Change Mitigation

Details the impact of climate change on infrastructure and introduces carbon terminology such as embodied and whole life carbon. It highlights tools like PAS 2080 and the Infrastructure Carbon Review for managing and reducing carbon emissions.

6. Climate Change Adaptation

Explores how climate change affects the built environment and the importance of using data to assess future risks. Introduces the concept of adaptation pathways and strategies to enhance infrastructure resilience.

7. Energy

Discusses energy efficiency technologies and questions the effectiveness of small-scale behavioural changes versus systemic solutions. Includes case studies and reviews of renewable energy options relevant to construction and infrastructure.

8. Water

Includes flood risk management and the role of Blue-Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDs). Also introduces the concept of water neutrality in planning and development.

9. Waste

Covers key waste management legislation, contaminated land protocols, and the circular economy. Highlights include industrial symbiosis and the Wallasea Island case study using Crossrail spoil.

10. Materials

Considers the environmental impact of construction materials through embodied energy and carbon databases. Introduces tools like One Click LCA and provides examples of material-specific carbon factors.

11. People

Explores the social value of sustainable buildings and their effects on health, productivity, and learning. Also considers personal environmental values and behaviour change.

12. Emerging Technologies

Introduces innovative materials and method and explores digital tools like carbon visualisation, 3D printing, and electrified construction to enable more sustainable  infrastructure.

13. Implementation

Outlines sustainability KPIs across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Emphasises the importance of stakeholder roles, client values, and the use of environmental economics though carbon pricing in delivering sustainable outcomes.

14. Ethics & Leadership

Highlights the essential role of ethical leadership in embedding sustainability into organisational culture and decision-making. Emphasises that strong, values-driven leadership is key to fostering accountability, long-term thinking, and meaningful progress in sustainable development.

Tutors

Lewis Barlow
Lewis provides expert advice on whole life decarbonisation for local authorities, developers and governments at the highest level. With over 25 years’ experience of managing environmental risk and minimising whole life carbon, Lewis is responsible for many internationally recognised and award-winning advances in addressing the climate crisis.

As a regular guest lecturer on environmental matters and a registered tutor on whole life carbon and sustainability for the Institution of Civil Engineers, Lewis is keen to promote professional development and share carbon reduction best practice wherever possible.

Lewis is recognised internationally for his skills and experience in reducing carbon on construction projects. He and his team won the NCE100 Low Carbon Leader award for two consecutive years for their work in reducing carbon and sharing best practice across the infrastructure sector. He is Co-Chair of the ICE’s Decarbonisation Advisory Board and was a member of both the PAS2080:2023 Steering Group and its Technical Advisory Panel.

By the end of this course, delegates should understand:

• Understand the meaning of sustainability and sustainable development.
• Learn about environmental sustainability and its importance in infrastructure projects.
• Gain insights into emerging requirements around carbon, biodiversity, and circularity.
• Understand the SDGs and their relevance to infrastructure projects.
• Learn about waste management and its relation to circularity.
• Understand the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources.
• Learn about environmental impact assessment and its connection to sustainability.
• Gain knowledge of key legislation with a UK perspective, applicable internationally.
• Connect the importance of sustainable development to professional qualifications.
• Learn about climate change resilience and adaptation for infrastructure projects.
• Gain practical advice on applying sustainability on projects.

This  training course is ideal for:

• All members of the project team – clients, designers, contractors and operators
• Those in the early stages of their professional development, and progressing towards membership of a professional institution
• Local and county authority staff that have a responsibility for ensuring best practice compliance for sustainable development