IEMA creates new IEMA Policy and Practice Steering Group on Environmental Management

Environmental management is critical in supporting the sustainability of business, people and planet. It enables organisations to identify, manage and mitigate risk, whilst taking the opportunity to deliver for stakeholders and sustainability. Elements such as complying with environmental regulations and obligations, managing resources better, and improving performance are just a few of the essential components in IEMA’s guiding principle of transforming the world to sustainability.

IEMA's Policy and Practice Committee has identified the need for a dedicated Network and Steering Group to focus on environmental management.

We are looking for IEMA members who would like to become part of a new steering group and represent all elements of the environmental management sector. The group will have oversight of the development and delivery of policy and practice for environmental management, with an aim to drive best practice, innovation and advocacy.

The steering group will champion issues relevant to environmental management professionals, help build a dedicated network, and create and deliver an annual work programme. This is a great opportunity to identify any gaps in industry and sector knowledge and skills, and help steer, develop and produce content to support other IEMA professionals.

What is the steering group?

The steering group will consist of up to 15 IEMA members, including one chair. Steering Group members volunteer their time to steer IEMA’s policy and practice activities and offer their expertise in a number of ways, for example:

• Members support IEMA in the design, execution, and outputs of an annual work programme – sharing knowledge with our peers to advance improvements in environmental management. This typically involves planning webinars, producing guidance documents, and other useful tools/support for members.
• As a steering group member, we will draw on your expertise to facilitate webinars, share case studies and invite you to join environmental management related specialist projects.
• You will help coordinate IEMA’s policy consultation responses and liaise with central government.
• You may also be invited to support the development of professional and international standards related to environmental management (BSI and ISO).

Please click the link here to have a look at the Terms of Reference (ToR) for more information on how the group will work. The steering group members are responsible for upholding the ToR.

How do I apply?

A document outlining the expression of interest process is also attached here. This lists the three questions we ask you to respond to if you would like to apply for a position on the steering group. Please limit this to no more than 500 words. Please answer these questions:

• What role do you believe an Environmental Management Steering Group can play in supporting professionals in this area?
• What do you believe are the key issues?
• What other relevant skills and knowledge do you have?

Please add your membership level and the industry you represent to your EOI.

Each question will be scored 1 – 3. With 1 being the lowest and 3 the highest. IEMA will assess these based on the applicant’s understanding of the question, experience and value added to the role of the steering group. We are keen to support professional growth and we encourage all membership levels to apply.

IEMA aims to establish a diverse membership for the steering group, including sector representation, membership level, plus technical and soft skills. The selection process for new members will include particular attention to ensuring that it has a diverse make-up demographically too.

As per the ToR, each steering group member will have a maximum of three years in the position. You are not tied into the steering group for three years and can step down as you wish but we hope you will gain experience and enjoy the professional and supportive nature of the group for the full duration.

We will be looking for a chairperson and once the members have been appointed, we will run a nomination process to elect this role. Please indicate in your EOI if you are interested in the chairperson role.

Time scales

• Please send your expression of interest (EOI) to [email protected] open from today
• The deadline for EOI is 13th of January 2023
• IEMA will score and agree on the available seats (we may come back to you for further information if needed)
• We expect to announce the new steering group in early 2023 following approval by the Policy and Practice Committee.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at: [email protected].