Sustainability

Sustainability is a much over used word at risk of being perceived as one size fits all. Sustainable development requires an integrated approach that takes into consideration environmental concerns along with economic development.   

Sustainability

Sophie Parsons

Strategic Advisor

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Sustainability

Sophie Parsons

Strategic Advisor

Sophie Parsons is a Global Sustainability Manager at Ball Corporation. She has over 13 years experience in sustainability and life cycle assessment (LCA). Sophie has experience applying LCA across a range of sectors within academia, industry and industrial research consultancy. She has published academic papers on LCA topics including within the journal Nature Sustainability. She is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Environmentalist (CEng), and currently works in corporate sustainability within the aluminium packaging sector. She is a Strategic Advisor to the Institute and Secretary of the Sustainable Development Group.

Sophie oversees the Iron & Steel Group and the Non-Ferrous and Light Metals Group. 

Iron & Steel Group

Representing the iron and steel community, we provide technical expertise and advice related to all aspects of the manufacture, use and reuse of iron and steel based metals and alloys

Non-Ferrous & Light Metals Group

Promoting a vibrant and innovative non-ferrous and light metals technology scene in the UK

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’, and this is just as valid now. The world has to seek ways to meet the development needs, but with the increasing threat of climate change, concerted efforts must be made to ensure development today does not negatively affect future generations. One of the key pillars is that society has to consume less, in a more efficient manner, however that is defined and in ways that do not discriminate.  

Sustainability is concerned with protecting the planet, halting climate change and promoting social development, without endangering life on Earth or leaving anyone behind. The role of people working with, and part of, the materials cycle will be pivotal in all of this. We have to look as to how we provide for our present needs without compromising resources for future generations.