IEMA's 2011 conference: Putting environment professionals in the driving seat

This year IEMA's conference focuses on how environment professionals can help organisations to meet the challenge of sustainability

The skills, talent, knowledge and thought leadership of environment professionals are helping to lead business change. Last month’s launch of the IEMA competency framework enables employers for the first time to see the depth, complexity and value of an environment professional’s skills.

But the business community and environment professionals still face many challenges, from the transition to a low-carbon economy to understanding the limitations of operating within the natural capacity of the planet.

In November, IEMA’s “Sustainable business: environmental professionals driving change” conference will focus on how environment professionals can play a vital role in helping business and organisations meet these challenges and develop sustainable solutions.

The conference will attract more than 300 IEMA members, environment practitioners, business leaders and public sector decision-makers to Savoy Place, situated on London’s Victoria Embankment, on 15–16 November.

IEMA chief executive Jan Chmiel will chair this year’s conference and he will be joined by a distinguished list of speakers from the business world and government.

With less than five months to go before the two-day conference and just two weeks before the early bird booking discount expires, the environmentalist profiles the programme and the session speakers (with more to be announced) that members and other delegates can look forward to seeing in November.

Speakers at the 2011 IEMA conference

	Jan Chmiel – Chief executive at IEMA. Jan previously held a number of senior roles in large international organisations including Shell, the BG Group and the Energy Saving Trust.
	Peter Young – Strategy director at SKM Enviros, chair of the Aldersgate Group and a member of the government’s Green Economy Council.
	Miles Watkins – Director of sustainable construction at Aggregate Industries, and an ambassador for the UK Green Building Council.
	Steve Wallace – Global head of environment at National Grid Properties, corporate office, where he leads operations in both the UK and US.
	Andrew Bloodworth – Head of science, minerals and waste at British Geological Survey (BGS). He is responsible for all BGS research related to mineral and metal resource security.
	Henrietta Anstey – Head of environment and sustainability at BAE Systems. She is responsible for shaping strategy and direction across the global business.
	Peter White – Director for global sustainability at P&G (formerly Procter & Gamble). He was a key architect of the firm’s long-term sustainability vision.
	Fiona Ball – Head of environment at BSkyB, where she developed and manages the communication company’s environment and carbon strategy.
	Paul Turner – Head of sustainable development at Lloyds Banking Group’s wholesale division and a tutor on the Programme for Sustainability Leadership.
	Steve Evans – Professor of life-cycle engineering at Cranfield University and director of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Industrial Sustainability.
	Sarah Eppel – Head of sustainable products and consumers at Defra. Sarah leads work on behavioural change and embedding sustainability into procurement.
	Richard Aylard – Director and special adviser to the chief executive at Thames Water. Richard was previously director of external affairs and sustainability.

Conference programme

Day 1 - Tuesday 15 November
9:00-9:45	Registration and refreshments
9:45-10:00	Chair's welcome
10:00–11:15	Session 1: Breaking the link between growth and impact. Peter Young – Green Economy Council, Aldersgate Group Sarah Eppel – Defra
11:15–11:45	Refreshments and networking
11:45-13:00	Session 2: Resource management: the challenges and opportunities Miles Watkins – Aggregate Industries Andrew Bloodworth – British Geological Survey Morning workshops, seminars and case studies
13:00-14:15	Lunch and networking
14:15-15:30	Session 3: Optimising infrastructure within environmental limits Steve Wallace – National Grid Richard Aylard – Thames Water Afternoon workshops, seminars and case studies
15:30-16:00	Refreshments and networking
16:00-19:00	Contemporary issues session including VIP address, chair’s comments, presentation of the IEMA Graduate Award 2011 (sponsored by Land Securities), further networking and drinks reception

Day 2 - Wednesday 16 November
9:00-9:45	Registration and refreshments
9:45-10:00	Chair's welcome
10:00–11:15	Session 1: Sustainability in practice Peter White – P&G Paul Turner – Lloyds TSB
11:15–11:45	Refreshments and networking
11:45-13:00	Session 2: Reducing the impacts of products and services Professor Steve Evans – Cranfield University Fiona Ball – BSkyB Morning workshops, seminars and case studies
13:00-14:15	Lunch and networking
14:15-15:30	Session 3: Embedding sustainability in business Henrietta Anstey – BAE Systems Afternoon workshops, seminars and case studies
15:30-16:00	Refreshments and networking
16:00-16:30	Closing session with chair’s comment

Sessions	A	B	C	D	E	F
Day 1 Morning	Seminar	Seminar	Case study	Workshop	Cross-cutting core skills workshop	Professional development
11:45-13:00	PAS 2050 revision update Karen Fishe	Sustainability in austerity: the way forward for the public sector Philip Monaghan	Natural England reduces its carbon emissions Paul Hinds	Getting value out of your certification body Sally Goodman & Ben Vivian	Changing behaviour in your organisation for better environmental outcomes Mark Yoxon	Hints and tips on writing your full membership paper Simon Cordingley
Day 1 Afternoon	Seminar	Case study	Workshop	Case study	Cross-cutting core skills workshop	Professional development
14:15-15:30	Policy update Martin Baxter	TBC	TBC	Sustainable events at Croke Park Ana Inacio	Avoiding greenwash – effective marketing of goods and services Lucy Shea	Introduction to IEMA mentoring scheme Mike Lachowicz & Samual Okoreta
Day 2 Morning	Workshop	Case study	Seminar	Seminar	Cross-cutting core skills workshop	Professional development
11:45-13:00	Sustainable events at Croke Park Ana Inacio	Mainstreaming environment into business Airbus	Biodiversity offsetting Defra	Revisions to ISO 19011 Nigel Leehane	Environmental law and the polluter pays principle – does it drive sustainable business performance? Colin Malcolm	The IEMA competency framework Claire Lea
Day 2 Afternoon	Seminar	Workshop	Case study	Workshop	Cross-cutting core skills workshop	Professional development
14:15-15:30	Standards update Martin Baxter	TBC	Incorporating biodiversity in business Aggregate Industries	Introduction to auditing Tim Watts	Environmental law and the polluter pays principle Colin Malcolm	Full membership – hints and tips Simon Cordingley