Chaired by Ann Williams, the NZGS Symposium panel discussed how to equip engineers for a sustainable and resilient future. Prof. Jan Evans-Freeman highlighted the importance of when and how sustainability education should begin—whether at school, university, or in professional practice—and questioned which frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, are most effective. She also stressed that solutions like carbon offsetting must be ethical and that true sustainability requires reducing overall emissions rather than relying on short-term fixes.
Panellists Prof. Jan Evans-Freeman, Ross Roberts, and Nick Wharmby examined the ideal timing for sustainability education and debated the effectiveness of frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The session focused less on providing immediate solutions and more on fostering the critical mindset needed to navigate a sustainable future.