The world is moving towards development of a sustainable environment. Many organisations have reduced their dependencies on fossil fuels for their energy requirements. The increased awareness about environmental sustainability has increased the demand for skilled professionals from B.Sc Renewable Energy background.
The present article discusses the important roles that are available in the renewable energy sector.
1. Environmental Consultant
The environmental consultants are responsible to provide technical assessments and advice for their organisation. They are responsible to guide the organisations towards development of sustainable technologies for their businesses.
Role of an Environmental Consultant
As an Environmental Consultant one will involve in providing expert advisory and assessment services to the organisation with aim of minimising or eliminating environmental damage. He/she is responsible to study the implications caused on the environment that are caused by factories.
Types of Environmental Consultants
As an environmental consultant one may work in different areas such as:
- Air, land and water contamination
- Environmental impact assessment and flood risk
- Waste management and recycling
- Emissions and climate change
- Renewable energy opportunities
- Environmental management systems
Responsibilities of an Environmental Consultant
As a responsible environmental consultant, one is needed to:
- Conduct field surveys and collect data about levels of pollution or contamination on a site of consideration
- Carry out desk-based research, interpreting data which can include using software modelling packages
- Write reports and share findings with multi-disciplinary colleagues, clients, sub-contractors
- Advices on best courses of action based on research findings
- Develop conceptual models, which involves identification and consideration of potential contamination
- Research previous investigations of site to provide information to clients considering purchase
- Undertake fieldwork to identify previous activities on the site and any contamination
- Look at the suitability of new developments, like housing, power stations, wind farms or other large sites that may impact the environment
2. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers combine brilliant problem-solving abilities with scientific skills to create technological solutions which protect, restore and preserve the planet. They are responsible to develop innovative solutions for the conservation of the environment.
Role of an Environmental Engineer
As an environmental engineer one will be concerned with issues such as climate change, drought, population growth, urbanisation, deforestation and the energy crisis. Using the background of science, one will find technology-based solutions to complex environmental problems.
Types of Environmental Engineering
As an Environmental Engineer one will be covering specific areas such as:
- Disposal of waste products such as water and plastics, particularly high volume of industrial waste
- Environmental compliance ensuring minimal environmental impact from spills or emissions
- Flood risk and drainage
- Infrastructure and development
- Management of pollutants that can harm the natural environment
- Recovery and cleansing of land which has been damaged due to mining, landfill or farming
- Water supply and sanitation
Responsibilities of an Environmental Engineer
As an Environmental Engineer one is required to:
- Gather data from range of sources through site assessments, environmental monitoring and third-party reports
- Evaluate the environmental impact of the project, hazard or commercial operation
- Write up and present findings costings, health and safety plans and recommendations on the containment, clean-up process, remediation, recycling and waste disposal in order to fix environmental issues
- Provide advice to and work along with other professionals such as environmental scientists, planners, construction workers, lawyers and landowners to address environmental problems and promote environmental sustainability
- Create plans to protect and restore the environment by removing contaminants from water, air and land
- Develop site specific health and safety protocols such as spill contingency
- Be familiar with current environmental regulations and guidance
3. Nature Conservation officer
The Nature Conservation officer is responsible to encourage others to enjoy and protect the environment. He/she has to create awareness about environmental conservation and ensure that everyone follows the same.
Role of a Nature Conservation Officer
As a nature conservation officer, one will work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment. This can include grassland, woodland, forests, coastal areas, mountains and rivers depending upon the region they work.
Types of Nature Conservation Officer
As a nature conservation officer, one will be working in varied areas of environment such as:
- Conservation assistant or technician
- Project officer or biodiversity officer
- Sustainable development officer
Responsibilities of a Nature Conservation officer
As a Nature Conservation officer, one is needed to:
- Educate all sectors of the local community including local schools and colleges and raise awareness of environmental issues and nature conservation work
- Promote and implement local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local and national statutory and voluntary organisations including input into environmental impact assessments
- Prepare and implement annual management plans based on ecological surveys and scientific observation
- Evaluate and monitor features of nature conservation interest in habitats
- Maintain and develop your own knowledge and skills especially with regard to the knowledge of developments in policy, legislation and international regulations
- Promote concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals
4. Recycling Officer
As a recycling officer one will manage the local recycling schemes and plan and develop waste reduction policies. He/she works in different cities and is responsible to achieve full recyclability of the waste products to maintain a sustainable environment.
Role of a Recycling Officer
As a Recycling Officer one will help to create and deliver educational programmes and organise community, school and media coordinating activities. As a recycling officer one will be working with local authority and ensure that the produced waste is recycled properly and effectively in the metropolitan cities.
Responsibilities of a Recycling Officer
As a recycling officer one is needed to:
- Encourage households and businesses to recycle more
- Initiate new and improved recycling schemes
- Monitor, improve and expand existing schemes and facilities
- Strategically plan for the management and development of recycling and find new ways to meet local and national targets
- Work to best practice schemes and guidelines in order to maximise resources and reduce costs
- Collect data compile statistics and prepare funding bids
- Advice and assist local community groups in carrying out their recycling
- Manage and promote recycling initiatives through advertising and publicity campaigns
Final Lines
The need and demand of the present scenario of creating a sustainable environment has created abundant opportunities for the B.Sc Renewable Energy students. Every organisation is looking towards achieving various realistic goals in developing a sustainable environment. The demand for the B.Sc Renewable Energy students are increasing day by day in the area because there is a lack of skilled workforce to take care of environmental initiatives of the organisation. Many organisations have pledged towards attaining zero dependence on fossil fuels for their energy requirements.
This has created a scope and room for the skilled B.Sc Renewable Energy students. They are hired in almost all the industries and are paid decent salaries. They can also experience good career growth in the field. The students who are passionate about environment conservation can join this course and can do their bit to conserve the planet.