Sustainability assessments, engineering and the precautionary principle: The case of a transmission line

In order to maximize the sustainability of a natural resources project being promoted by an organization, socio-economic effects should not be considered in isolation but should instead be considered in the context of sustainability. In this paper, we discuss the environmental assessment of a transmission line in northern Labrador, Canada. Specifically we demonstrate the importance of the Precautionary Principle as a sustainability change mechanism in the project assessment for engineers and engineering firms. Through using the Precautionary Principle as a change and risk management mechanism, proponents such as natural resources companies and project engineers may better reach sustainability, corporate social responsibility as well as ethics strategies, objectives and goals.