Viewpoint: Racing to zero: isn't it time you committed to emission reduction targets

Arup global sustainable development leader, Jo da Silva, was made a Dame in the recent New Year Honours. She talks to Jackie Whitelaw about social responsibility in business, the engineering response to COP26 and the impact of the pandemic on future planning of cities.

Can very low-carbon buildings be constructed cheaply enough to suit the pockets of private-sector commercial developers? Yes, says Professor John French, who has set himself that target in his new role as director of sustainability for Cambridge Innovation Parks. But to do so involves overhauling approaches to procurement, contracting, materials and risk.

Oliver Broadbent and James Norman call for a rethink of engineering education to meet the needs of an industry adapting to the demands of the climate emergency.