Engineering

Environmental and Sustainability

Work with the natural environment to create a better future for humanity

Students in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences Glasshouse inspecting plants

What is Environment and Sustainability?

Environment and Sustainability Engineering is the type of engineering that seeks to undo past damage to the planet and work with the natural environment to create a better future for humanity and the places we inhabit.

Environmental Engineers identify environmental problems and develop solutions to combat them by combining aspects of civil engineering,  chemical engineering and biological sciences. Sustainable Engineering takes environmental engineering concepts to the next level and looks at the interactions between technical, ecological, social and economic systems.

Why study Environment and Sustainability?

Environmental engineering has a profound impact on the world’s environmental problems. Now more than ever, countries and organisations are concerned about their human impact on the natural world. When you work in this area, you’ll manage projects that are focussed on combatting climate change and developing sustainable solutions for the modern world.

Why choose UNSW?

Highly ranked, internationally renowned and accredited by Engineers Australia, you’ll graduate ready for success. Learn in leading-edge facilities with a strong emphasis on practical design and problem-solving. Connect with industry professionals through hands-on training opportunities. We have close links with key professional, commercial and industrial organisations, allowing us to offer exciting and innovative student-led projects and industry-based training.

What about careers?

There is a broad range of rewarding career opportunities across the water, construction, energy and manufacturing industries. When you work in the field of Environment and Sustainability you can work on solutions for pressing issues such as climate change, water availability, energy futures, water management, low-carbon living and more. You can manage projects designed to limit environmental damage from engineering works.

You’ll look at restoring natural ecosystems, improve water supply, combat negative effects of climate change or work in the research and development of government environmental policy. According to Job Outlook, Environmental Engineers earn a median salary of $112,060 with demand high for graduates with this unique but vital skillset. 

Career options include:

  • Green Building Engineer
  • Water Project Manager
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Energy Efficiency Engineer

How can I study Environment and Sustainability?

You may also be interested in

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering is essential for many things, like health technology advancements, clean water and climate change processes. Chemical Product Engineering is about understanding product function and performance, and how people use those products.

opens in a new window

Renewable Energy Engineering

Renewable Energy Engineers explore ways to make the best use of renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, biomass, smart grids and photovoltaics, which is the use and manufacture of solar cells to power virtually anything electrical.

opens in a new window

Energy and Resources

Engineers identify energy sources or resources to meet the needs of society. Mining resources helps us generate energy sources, including renewable energy. You’ll learn how this industry is branching out into renewable energy sources such as natural gas.

opens in a new window