What do you do if you're faced with conflicting environmental perspectives in a project?

In case of technical disagreement it is important to listen and analyze all perspectives. make your judgment based on your skills and technical background, any agreed regulations, guideline and standards. When you realize the ideas are false or true then you can decide how to discuses your opinion, so everyone can explain the logic of their point of view to come in an agreement.

Basically any opinion regarding an environmental subject must be in good alignment with environmental objectives of project. You must analyze and figure out if different ideas are collaborative to the project success and if they can assertively explain why the other solution is more effective in term of technical and economical comparison.

Any technical discussion and debate must rely on facts and figures. Project environmental data help you to defend your idea and persuade other parties to came in an agreement .

Compare all perspectives in term of effectiveness and their alignment to project objectives, their environmental effects, cost and socioeconomical outcome. Quantify your comparison and select the best solution accordingly. Although the effort is to make benefit of all perspectives, the best solution is not necessarily contains all project parties perspectives or opinions but would be the best alternative to reach to the project environmental and sustainability goals.

We definitely cannot emphasize enough on open and frank dialogue, especially when there's conflicting perspective. Sometimes conflicting perspectives arise from misunderstanding by stakeholders. An open dialogue can clarify doubts of stakeholders, enhance their understanding of project goals, technical details, expected outcomes and long term sustainability of the project. Effective communication will be key to ensuring a frank and open dialogue in this situation

All project parties must be able to communicate their ideas clearly. As an engineer you must explain project environmental objectives that must be considered for decision making. Some times lack of this information make disagreement between parties. In order to persuade them, explain your reasons assertively based on facts and figures and adress environmental mandates of the projects, environmental guidelines, and long term sustainability needs of the project.

The best decision is the one that respect the environmental protection and public health and safety as a paramount while guaranties all project parties rights. The solution must be economically reasonable for project investors. Some parties may believe that the recommended solution may lead to further environmental contamination. The best alternative may compromise existing alternatives in order to reduce environmental issues of proposed system.

An example for technical disagreement is using incinerators in order to burning wastes. While using incinerator instead of landfill seems to be more economic as it uses limited area comparing landfill but the other project members may believe that using incinerator leads to a long-term air contamination. In order to consider all aspects we can modify the incinerator design. Reduce and sort waste at source can help to have a smaller equipment with less contamination. Also equip it with air pollution control filters. This final solution also seems to be more cost effective.