Purpose
The proposed committee will provide a dedicated forum for research, knowledge generation, implementation, and professional collaboration. Its central purpose is to help communities strengthen resilience to climate change through sustainable design principles and practical risk management strategies.
Regional Need
The Asia–Pacific region faces complex and connected climate pressures, including coastal hazards, inland flooding, water security stress, rapid urbanisation, and small-island vulnerability. The committee will promote engineering solutions that are technically robust, scalable, and suitable for diverse regional conditions. Collaboration with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) will be one of the goals of this Technical Committee.
Core Objectives
The committee is designed to move beyond discussion alone, supporting implementation, guidance, decision tools, and regional knowledge transfer.
Regional Knowledge Forum
Share research, design principles, and climate risk management strategies among member countries.
International Collaboration
Strengthen collaboration among civil engineering societies through best practice and research exchange.
Multi-Hazard Engineering
Advance engineering approaches for coastal, inland, urban, and small-island hazard environments.
Integrated Modelling
Support modelling frameworks that capture dynamic interactions across coastal and inland systems.
Nature-Based Solutions
Promote nature-based and hybrid engineering solutions that enhance ecosystem resilience.
Capacity Building
Support training and knowledge transfer, especially in small island developing states and rapidly urbanising regions.
Guiding Terms of Reference
The committee aligns with key goals of the ACECC Jeju Declaration 2025.
Climate Change and Disaster Resilience
Embedding sustainable design, smart construction technologies, early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and resilient infrastructure planning into civil engineering practice.
Science, Technology and Innovation
Bridging the STI divide by promoting partnerships, equitable access to knowledge, and capacity building across developed and emerging economies.
Ecosystem Conservation and Biodiversity
Encouraging eco-friendly engineering and construction practices that minimise habitat disruption and strengthen natural ecosystem resilience.
Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing and Open Data
Supporting open data practices, transparent research sharing, international standards, and accessible platforms for shared learning.
Expected Outcomes
Technical Guidance
Development of guidance documents, policy briefs, and decision-support tools.
Regional Networks
Strengthened networks across Asia and Pacific Island Countries.
Training and Workshops
Targeted workshops, technical sessions, and collaborative initiatives.
Implementation Focus
Knowledge exchange focused on innovation and practical application, not only conceptual frameworks.
Island Resilience
Greater visibility for emerging challenges faced by small island developing states.
Sustainable Water Systems
Promotion of scalable engineering solutions for climate-resilient water systems.
Leadership
Associate Professor Bithin Datta
Co-Chairperson
Engineers Australia
bithin.datta@jcu.edu.au
Dr Gregory De Costa
Co-Chairperson
Engineering New Zealand
gregory.decosta@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
Dr Brett C Phillips
Secretary
Engineers Australia
brett.phillips@stantec.com
Initial Committee Network
ACECC member societies will be invited to nominate additional members.
April Lander
ASCE
United States
Prof. H. R. P. Yadav
ASCE
United States
Dr Ayurzana Badarch
MACE
Mongolia
Daniel Rodger
Engineers Australia
Australia
Engr Robinson A. Salenga II
PICE
Philippines
Prof. Ahmad Sana
PNG University of Technology / IEPNG
Papua New Guinea
Dr Mirzi Betasolo
PNG University of Technology / IEPNG
Papua New Guinea
Financial Background
Activities may be supported through modest EA/ENZ and ACECC committee support, workshop and technical-session registration fees, collaborative funding from academic, government and industry partners, and in-kind contributions from participating institutions.
Call to Collaborate
This committee invites engineers, researchers, institutions, professional societies, government agencies, and industry partners to work together on climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure, sustainable development, and regional knowledge transfer.
Regional Vision
Climate adaptation requires collaborative engineering, resilient infrastructure, sustainable water systems, and strong partnerships across coastal and inland communities.
