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Engineering a climate adaptive future – Aurecon at CSE25

21 August 2025 | 2 min

As the impacts of climate change increase, engineers are emerging as integral to designing for resilience and adaptation. This includes extending the life of existing assets, reducing lifecycle carbon emissions and scaling renewable energy technologies.

Evelyn Storey, Director of Eminence and Sustainability, said that as the impacts of climate change increase, the age of the engineer has emerged, playing an important role in the energy transition, decarbonisation and the resilience of assets, the environment and communities.

Aurecon’s speakers at the 2025 Climate Smart Engineering Conference (L-R): Evelyn Storey, Thom Cameron, and Jodie Bricout.

Aurecon’s speakers at the 2025 Climate Smart Engineering Conference (L-R): Matthew Tendam, Jessica Holz, and Alan Thomas.

Aurecon’s speakers at the 2025 Climate Smart Engineering Conference (L-R): Adam Pfitzner, Danielle Avolio, Jack Johnson, and Qiang (Dan) Gao.

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Aurecon’s speakers at the 2025 Climate Smart Engineering Conference (L-R): Evelyn Storey, Thom Cameron, and Jodie Bricout.

“As engineers, we are in a unique position to play a bigger role in addressing the impacts of climate change,” Storey said.

“The science behind climate change is understood, but the challenge of solving complex problems is at the heart of our work.

“Engineers bring diverse approaches to this challenge, such as extending the life of existing assets, reducing full lifecycle carbon emissions and resources consumption, and developing and scaling renewable energy technologies, which will help reduce the impact of a changing climate in the most effective way.

“The world will continue to need engineers to work with what’s in front of us but adapt for what is coming; to use creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration to turn bold ideas into human-centred, innovative solutions.”

Ten specialists from international design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon are sharing their insights on climate adaptation, resilience, and the sustainability of industries, communities and the environment at the Engineers Australia 2025 Climate Smart Engineering Conference on 27-28 August at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Aurecon designers, engineers and advisors will be joining industry leaders to deliver content and bring a diverse range of perspectives in creating solutions for a climate adaptive future.

Date	Presenter	Topic
27 August, Wednesday	Jack Johnson Risk and Resilience Consultant	Ways to overcome five physical climate change risk and resilience challenges
	Evelyn Storey FIEAust Director of Eminence and Sustainability Co-Chair, Engineers Australia Structural College	Breathing new life into ageing building structures
	Qiang (Dan) Gao Senior Consultant, Sustainability and Climate Change	How hybrid energy eases grid connection pressure and turns challenges into revenue
	Matthew Tendam Associate, Environment & Planning Deputy Chair, Engineers Australia Environmental College	Session chair \| Decarbonisation of infrastructure assets
	Jodie Bricout Design Director, Circular Economy	Panel \| Engineering circularity: Practical strategies to enhance resilience through circular economy principles
28 August, Thursday	Alan Thomas Power Generation Practice Leader	Emerging trends and delivery challenges for Australia’s grid stability
	Thom Cameron Technical Director, Future Industries	Panel \| Forging the future: Australia’s role in green metal exports
	Jessica Holz Associate, Sustainability	Innovations for nature positive outcomes in the built environment
	Adam Pfitzner Associate, Environment and Planning	Poster \| How digital environment and planning tools are de-risking energy infrastructure project delivery
	Danielle Avolio Senior Consultant, Engagement and Change Advisory	Poster \| Pathways to Collaboration: Meaningful community engagement in regional and rural areas