Professor Anusha Shah outlined her presidential theme at her inaugural address.

Working in harmony with nature in rural and urban areas is vital if we’re to reach our net zero goals, according to the new president of the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers).

Professor Anusha Shah, the institution’s 159^th President, shared the theme for her presidential year at her first official address at ICE’s HQ in London last night.

“My presidential year will be about how we become a nature and people-positive profession at heart,” she said in her speech.

“We have failed to understand the interrelationship between infrastructure and nature.

“We are implementing nature-based and green solutions globally, but in pockets. It’s not the norm yet.”

According to Professor Shah, construction is responsible for 30% of biodiversity loss around the world.

But, adopting a nature- and people-positive approach will enable engineers to reverse the environmental decline, she said.

“Not only will we reach net zero faster, we’ll also improve climate resilience and reap multiple benefits for our society and the planet.”

Read more and watch the Presidential Address here.