CORE SUSTAINABILITY: A MATTER OF INNOVATIVE DESIGN

As the resource industries mature with respect to sustainability and they redefine their contribution to society’s development, it is timely to reflect on how this clouded topic has transformed the thinking of our engineering and scientific practitioners. As we gradually adopt whole-systems approaches, ecoefficiency and other sustainability concepts, what is needed is a carefully considered methodology that leads to a robust project management and design regime.

A three-part definition of sustainability opportunities is offered: having distinctive components of compliance thinking, risk management and innovation. The behavioural aspects of the innovation component are examined in some detail and, from a project standpoint, the initial separation of innovation from highly structured management practices is proposed.

Such an innovation framework can be used to set projects on the path to deep-seated sustainability practices, unambiguously cost-conscious, yet freely developing initiatives that elicit first-class environmental and social outcomes. Case studies draw examples from inside and outside our industry to illustrate project thinking and related design actions to achieve these ends.

Finally, discussion on how to derive competitive advantage from the innovation framework sets the scene for recommendations into future project procedural changes and scientific research.