SocEnv News Autumn 2008

management generally.  Finding better ways to conserve the life of the world’s natural resources, along with the development of new innovative technologies, are areas where Chartered Environmentalists can each play their part; and my word, there is a need for it.

 

Reflecting back over the last few months, in June we had another successful AGM and Reception attended by over 100 colleagues and their guests. Colin Challen MP was our guest speaker and was as robust as ever with his aspirations for the Society and its potential to make a difference, by becoming politically engaged. On behalf of the Society, Colin was also kind enough to present Stephanie McGibbon with her certificate making her the 5000^th Chartered Environmentalist

 

We also express our sincere thanks to a number of departing Board members, namely, John Brady, (past Chair), Peter Redman and Andy Gibbs. In each case, they have made significant contributions towards the creation, launch and management of this Society, and we shall be eternally grateful.

 

Joining us as new Board members, either as part of the rotation process, or because they represent new constituent bodies are: David Gibson & John Humphries (ABE), Francesca Berriman (CIAT), Roger Hewitt (CIWM), Sarah Beacock (EI), Ian Housley (IEMA), Nigel Southwood & Daniel Kenning (IMechE), David Arthur (IOM3), Neil Barker & Raymond Clark (SEE), they are all most welcome and will further strengthen the Board.

 

The Society has also launched an additional facility for Chartered Environmentalists who can now seek registration as an Accredited Environmental Expert Witness through the Academy of Experts and we are indebted to Trish Hall and Nicola Cohen (of the Academy) for making this possible.

 

In this issue we feature CIWEM as another of the founder member constituent bodies and this gives me the opportunity to thank Nick Reeves, particularly, for his consistent commitment to the continuing success of the Society.

 

And, hot off the press, and at the risk of communicating this to you prematurely, I am delighted to tell you that His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, has accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Fellow of the Society. There will be more about this significant step in our winter newsletter.”

Best wishes to you all 

Tim Boldero, Chair

The Society for the Environment is delighted to name the 5,000^th person to qualify as a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv).  Stephanie McGibbon, a member of the IEMA and the RTPI, project manages environmental impact assessments at global design and business consulting firm Arup.

 

"I've been very inspired by what I've heard today, by the presentations and by the people I've been speaking to," she said upon receiving her award. "It seems to be a friendly society, and very encouraging."

 

"In the environmental work I do with Arup, it's quite easy to preach to the converted.  But I think for me, the people I work with and for everybody here, the real challenge is the people who have yet to be convinced, who think that it's somebody else's problem."

 

Also accepting their Chartered Environmentalist awards were IEMA members Seb Beloe and Andrew Rogers.

 

Seb Beloe, is head of the sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) research team at Henderson Global Investors.  Speaking of his first encounter with the Society for the Environment, he said: "It felt like a professional home, because environmentalism isn’t yet an established profession like law or accountancy – so it was refreshing to find this group of people, professionals who shared the same sense of commitment to environmental issues."

 

Tim Boldero, Chair of the Society, said he was proud to record the registration of the 5,000th CEnv after just four years.  

 

"I think the most important element of our activities is to see individuals awarded their Chartered Environmentalist certificates," he told guests. "They are the outward proof that the qualification has resonance with society and that through their work they will individually make a difference."

    

Speaking at the annual reception of the Society for the Environment in London, Colin Challen said that not enough was being done to create a low-carbon economy in the UK.

"You have the professional expertise to tell politicians that something more has to be done, and that something more can be done," he told guests.  Outlining the German approach to building an industry based on renewable energy, Mr Challen warned that the UK risked being left behind.

 

Mr Challen went on to say that politicians needed to be pushed to take more radical action, by those experts who understand the urgency and who are qualified to speak on matters of the environment. 

 

"So I think we should all engage in this as a political struggle, even if you are not yourself politically minded, see your job as being political," he urged. "If you're involved in the Society for the Environment, is that not political in itself? It's a statement about a need, about a professional commitment to improving our environment."

   

The next meeting of SocEnv’s policy forum will be concentrating on the impact and consequences of the Pitt Report Recommendations.   We have invited representatives from all our constituent bodies to attend and there will be presentations from a number of institutions on the work they are currently undertaking in this area. The event is free and lunch will be provided.  To register please contact: Trish.Hall@SocEnv.org.uk 

    

On June 18^th the Board agreed to increase annual and joining fees from 1^st Jan 2009 in order to ensure that our revenue streams are not eroded over time.  Please see new fees structure below:  

 

  SocEnv Fees Increase 2009

Constituent Body Joining Fee	£3500.00
Constituent Body Annual Subscription	£600.00
CEnv Initial Registration Fee	£65.00
CEnv Annual Renewal Fee	£35.00

       

 

SocEnv attended a workshop hosted by IES and chaired by Tony Juniper, to explore opportunities for better collaboration between professional environmental organisations. 

 

With 23 professional body members, the Society’s objectives are to nurture partnerships between them, to share environmental best practice and to promote Chartered Environmentalists working across an array of disciplines and sectors.   We look forward to further collaboration with all the organisations who attended on the day and being at the forefront of pushing collaboration and partnerships forward. 

      

 

This Year the Society has licensed six new professional bodies to award the Chartered Environmentalist qualification.  For the first 12 months of their licence the CEnv assessment process is fast-tracked under the ‘Grandparent Rights Scheme’.  Members and non-members of those institutions, who are considering applying to become CEnvs, are encouraged to get their applications in before the end of the Grandparent year.

Licensed Bodies currently accepting CEnv applications through the Grandparent Process:

• Association of Building Engineers

• Chartered Institution of Architectural Technologists

• Energy Institute

• Institute of Agricultural Management

• Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining

• Institution of Mechanical Engineers

• Society of Environmental Engineers
  (Fast-track CEnv starts 1^st Dec 08)
        

Licensed Members Workshop CEnv Assessment & the Professional Review Interview

Date: 21^st November Time:   0930 – 1530

Venue: ICE,1 Great George Street, London

 

A workshop is to be held for SocEnv Licensed Bodies in order to:

1. Identify the challenges and issues facing Licensed Members in recruiting CEnvs post the 12 month ‘grandparent’ assessment process.

2. Share best practice in achieving further CEnv recruitment after the ‘grandparent’ process.
   

SocEnv invites at least 1 representative from each Licensed Body who is well placed to discuss the detail of CEnv recruitment.  This event is free of charge.  To register, please contact trish.hall@socenv.org.uk by 10^th Nov 08.