In the first quarter of 2023, IWater’s environmental licensing body, Society for the Environment confirmed a greater number of new Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) registrations compared to any previous three-month period – an REnvP record quarter.

The record number of environmental practitioners joining the official register during this period is on par with new Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registrants for the first time.

Reacting to the news, Chief Executive of the Society for the Environment, Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, said:

“As organisations continue to make steps towards a more sustainable way of working, more professionals with proven environmental competence are needed. Our aim is to have such professionals in every discipline. Our Technician, Practitioner and Chartered professionals are all playing a huge role in creating a more sustainable world.”

Emma adds; “With the introduction of the REnvP less than two years ago, it is heart-warming to now know that this has proven to be both an entry route and a progression pathway for environmental professionals that resonates as we hoped. If you joined the REnvP register in our record-breaking quarter on your journey to CEnv, or if REnvP is the perfect fit for your career, welcome to the community and thank you for leading the way.”

Rob Plews CEng REnvP, Associate Director at The Shadbolt Group, achieved REnvP during Q1 of 2023 via membership of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and noted:

“Bring a Registered Environmental Practitioner compliments my CEng Chartership from IOM3 by confirming that I work in a more varied field beyond core geotechnical work. As a modern geoenvironmental company, recognising that I, and others across the business, have a strong understanding of contaminated land – and how to deal with it – is vital.”

A popular route to REnvP registration is via membership of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). Martin Baxter CEnv, Deputy CEO at IEMA, commented on the rising number of REnvP professionals:

“There is a growing demand for people with the skills to implement change for a cleaner, greener future. As businesses translate top-line sustainability targets into on-the-ground action, Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) status will become increasingly important as a mark of practical competence in environmental management and protection.”

By becoming a REnvP, you are highlighting that you have been judged by your peers who have found you to be consistently advancing and advocating good environmental practices. To find out more about IWater’s REnvP offering, click HERE

During a special set of events ahead of Earth Day, Engineers Ireland have today unveiled a new, exciting opportunity to their 25,000+ members – Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) professional registration.

The announcement comes ahead of World Earth Day and Ireland’s Overshoot Day, the day when human consumption outstrips nature’s resource budget for the entire year if everyone in the world lived like the Irish population.

Based in Dublin, Ireland, Engineers Ireland are the first professional body based outside of the UK to offer CEnv registration to members. They join a collective of 25 professional bodies offering CEnv registration to members all over the world – with 15% of registrants being based outside of the UK already.

Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, Chief Executive of the Society for the Environment, said “We see environmental professionalism as the vital component in our efforts to build a sustainable future. A workforce with proven, up to date environmental competence, commitment and overall professionalism must be in place across all sectors globally. The engineering community is major part of this, and we encourage current and future Engineers Ireland members to lead the way.

Welcoming the first professional body to our SocEnv family with their HQ outside of the UK is hugely positive. Environmental challenges do not stop at geographical borders. We look forward to broadening our Chartered Environmentalist community and facilitating further professional connections to address the challenges we face and turn opportunities into meaningful results.”

CEnv registration is the internationally recognised gold standard accreditation of environmental competence, commitment and professionalism. Its cross-disciplinary format serves to reflect the scope of sustainability – from engineering to agriculture, ecology to waste management. Professionals in every sector can showcase their knowledge and experience, encouraging positive, well-informed, trusted action in all professions.

It’s time to lead the way.

To become a Chartered Environmentalist with Engineers Ireland, applicants must first be a Chartered Engineer and must be able to demonstrate:

  • application of knowledge and understanding of the environment to further the aims of sustainability;
  • leadership in sustainable management of the environment;
  • effective communication and interpersonal skills; and
  • a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession, and the environment.

To find out more about obtaining CEnv registration via Engineers Ireland, visit: engineersireland.ie/Professionals/Membership/Registered-professional-titles/Chartered-Environmentalist

Engineers Ireland join 24 other professional bodies offering CEnv registration to their members, including IWater. To find out more, visit:  socenv.org.uk/our-licensed-members

Nominations are now open for both the Environmental Professional of the Year and Registrant Newcomer of the Year awards.

As of today, the Society for the Environment (SocEnv) is welcoming nominations for the 2023 edition of the prestigious SocEnv Awards. Nominations for the Environmental Professional of the Year and Registrant Newcomer of the Year awards will be open until 09:00 BST on Tuesday 11th April. 

The 2023 SocEnv Awards will recognise outstanding achievements of registered environmental professionals. It is your chance to inspire the next generation, to recognise the skills of your peers and to remind one another why we’re here, doing what we do and striving every day to make a difference to the environment.

Nominees for both awards must be registered as a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) or Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech). However, nominations can be submitted by anyone, including self-nominations. 

Recent past winners of the Environmental Professional of the Year include:

  • 2022 – Becky Toal CEnv, Managing Director at Crowberry Consulting Ltd
  • 2021 – Dan Reading CEnv, Head of Sustainability at World Sailing
  • 2020 – Mandhy Senewiratne CEnv – Director Sustainability, Communication and Change Management at Fyrefly Global Sustainability Ltd AND
  • David Symons CEnv – UK Director of Sustainability at WSP

Recent past winners of the Registrant Newcomer of the Year include:

  • 2022 – Paul Field CEnv, Environmental & Compliance (ESG) Manager at Janus International Europe Ltd  
  • 2021 – Lara Young CEnv, Group Carbon Manager at Costain
  • 2020 – Chris Landsburgh CEnv – Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Wills Bros Ltd

Submit a Nomination

For further details, to learn more about last year’s winners, meet the judges and to submit a nomination, please visit: socenv.org.uk/socenv-awards

Video Nomination Pilot

This year the SocEnv Awards will be piloting video nominations as an option to make the application process more accessible to a wider range of people.

Results Event

The award winners will be announced by means of a free online celebration event on Tuesday 6th June 2023. To register your attendance and show your support for the work of the selected finalists, please visit: socenv.org.uk/socenv-awards

Now is the time to gain some well-deserved recognition! Nominate yourself or a well-deserved colleague for free, today.

Winners Revealed at Inspiring SocEnv Awards Event

Annual awards ceremony marks a celebration of the achievements of the environmental professional community – including announcing the winners of the 2022 SocEnv Awards.

The ceremony also saw Founder of Ecotricity Dale Vince OBE recognised for his outstanding services to the environment.

More than 7,500 environmental professionals meet the required standards to highlight their environmental and sustainability expertise as a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) or Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech), but some warrant further recognition for going above and beyond and are commended via the SocEnv Awards. The winners of the 2022 Awards were announced earlier today (8 June) via a free virtual event.

The Environmental Professional of the Year award is designed to highlight those who have truly excelled in the last year, going above and beyond to make a difference in the cause of environmental protection.

After much deliberation within the judging panel, the 2022 Environmental Professional of the Year award was awarded as follows:

2022 Environmental Professional of the Year Winner

Becky Toal CEnv

Managing Director, Crowberry Consulting Ltd

Registered via the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

In judging Becky to be the winner of this prestigious award, the judging panel noted her clear knowledge and leadership, excellent communication skills, and infectious passion for protecting the environment. Setting up and leading her own business Crowberry Consulting Ltd since 2006, in this time she has supported swathes of UK and EU based businesses to become more sustainable by implementing ISO environmental management systems, delivering innovative training courses, and giving back to a profession that has given her so much, by coaching and mentoring early career professionals. A career highlight was achieved in 2021, as Becky was appointed – in partnership with Arup – as Lead Sustainability Consultant of both G7 and COP26, with her work duly recognised as the events were awarded the ISO 20121 standard. All of this and more shows Becky as someone truly going above and beyond to protect the environment – and a worthy winner of the 2022 Environmental Professional of the Year award.

The Registrant Newcomer of the Year award also showcases outstanding environmental work but is specifically available to those who have achieved their registration on or after the 1st January 2021; shining a light on those who have really hit the ground running since becoming a REnvP, REnvTech or CEnv.

This award category was also hotly contested, with some exceptional nominations received. The winner for this award was awarded as follows:

2022 Registrant Newcomer of the Year Winner

Paul Field CEnv

Environmental & Compliance (ESG) Manager, Janus International Europe Ltd

Registered via the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

As with Becky, the judging panel were hugely impressed with Paul’s nomination. In particular, they commended his determination, broad experience and strong commitment to learning and the upholding of professional standards. The judging panel remarked on his ‘full circle’ journey from working in fossil fuel extraction – firstly as a coal miner and then within the automobile sector – to becoming a Chartered Environmentalist and excelling in his role as Environmental & Compliance (ESG) Manager at Janus International Europe Ltd – a global company working in sustainable self-storage solutions. Particularly standout was the clear impact of Paul’s work since the start of 2021, guiding Janus towards its goal to be Net Zero by 2040 – implementing environmental management systems and developing a sustainability roadmap. As a result of his many achievements, Paul is without doubt a well-deserving winner of the 2022 Registrant Newcomer of the Year award.

The results event also saw another leading figure in the environmental profession awarded as a Honorary Fellow of the Society for the Environment (HonFSE), recognised for their service to the environment. They are as follows:

Newly Awarded Honorary Fellow of the Society for the Environment

Dale Vince OBE HonFSE

Founder, Ecotricity

Adding to the celebration, the event also saw last year’s HonFSE recipient Professor Ian Barker HonFSE CEnv deliver a topical lecture on the vital role environmental professionals play in protecting our planet, and delegates heard from several leading Chartered Environmentalists on what this year’s World Environment Day theme ‘Only One Earth’ means to them.

Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, SocEnv Chief Executive, comments: “Huge congratulations to all those honoured during this year’s awards and lecture event. We know the amazing work carried out by more than 7,500 registered environmental professionals around the world, but every year it’s special to bestow those going above and beyond with further special recognition. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event and showcasing the continued achievements of the environmental professional community.”

The results of the 2019 Environmental Professionals Survey undertaken by the Society for the Environment reveal a largely positive snapshot of the environmental profession.

The results demonstrate that Professional Registrations are valued increasingly highly by Environmental Professionals and employers, as well as showing a growing confidence among professionals of the impact they have in delivering environmental protection.

As Custodians of the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registers, the Society for the Environment ran its biennial survey between early February and mid-March of this year and received 615 responses. The survey asked registrants a number of questions relating to their registration, job security as well as their engagement with the Society.

Among the key findings, the survey found that an increasingly high number (eighty per cent) of CEnv registrants are likely or very likely to recommend CEnv registration, an increase of twelve per cent from our 2017 survey.

The results also show that employers are holding Professional Registrations and Professional Body memberships in higher regard, with seventy per cent of registrants saying they know or think their professional registration is valued by their employer – an eight per cent increase from 2017. Also encouraging is a ten per cent rise in the number of registrants who said their Professional Body membership is paid for by their employer – reaching a total of sixty-three per cent.

When reflecting on the state of the environmental profession, registrants were optimistic. Thirty-two percent of respondents felt they were having a large impact in delivering environmental protection, compared to nineteen per cent in 2017. In a new question for the 2019 survey, registrants were asked to look ahead over the next five years, with sixty-seven per cent reporting they were somewhat or very optimistic about the ability of Environmental Professionals to deliver gains in environmental protection.

Registrants also showed greater confidence in their job security. Thirty-two per cent said they were somewhat or very confident they could find equivalent employment in the next month – a rise of three per cent from two years prior. When extended to three months, fifty-five per cent were confident that they would be able to find equivalent employment, compared to fifty per cent in 2017.

Dr Emma Wilcox, Chief Executive Officer of the Society for the Environment, said:

“These results contain many positive signs for the environmental profession. The competence requirements set out within CEnv and REnvTech mean that these registrations are key to ensuring high standards throughout the profession. As demonstrated by these results, registrants and employers are placing increased value on registration, which is hugely encouraging in envisioning a future where registration is an industry norm. We are also pleased to see the findings reflect a confident profession, with professionals looking ahead to the many challenges we face with optimism.

The survey has also helped us recognise where we can improve to help our registrants and the profession as a whole. Asked what they would like us to produce or share more of, good or best practice guides and greater Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities were the most popular choices, cited by fifty-five per cent of respondents. In response to these findings, we have established a dedicated ‘Knowledge Hub’ section of our website which you can find at: https://socenv.org.uk/KnowledgeHub.

This has been developed to serve as a hub of information and expertise – sharing good practice guides and insightful expert-led webinars and podcasts, alongside other great sources of information and advice. We are always on the lookout for more sources to share, so if would like to suggest some new content, please contact Sarah Ridgeon. We are also looking to expand our CPD opportunities – so watch this space!”

We are delighted to confirm that Sir Graham Wynne and Michael Way CEnv have joined the line-up of amazing speakers for the Society’s Annual World Environment Day Awards and Lectures on the 4th June.

Sir Graham Wynne will deliver the annual Honorary Fellow (HonFSE) Lecture, following the presentation of his award.

Sir Graham is a Distinguished Fellow with the World Resources Institute (WRI), currently working as an advisor to the Global Commission on Adaptation. He is also a Trustee of Green Alliance, and was formerly Chief Executive of the RSPB (1998 to 2010).

Michael Way CEnv MCIEEM is the Partnership Coordinator (Americas) at the Conservation Science Department of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. On the theme of “Banking seeds for the future: the work of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank Partnership”, Michael will use the development and implementation of global standards as an example of the professionalisation of this field and the resulting impact that high quality collections and data can have in plant conservation and sustainable use strategies.

Sir Graham and Michael add to the expertise of our other confirmed speakers:

  • Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
  • Claire Wansbury CEnv, Associate Director of Ecology at SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins
  • Nick Blyth CEnv, Policy & Engagement Lead at IEMA
  • Richard Deverell, Director at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

 

Registration is free for CEnv and REnvTech registrants and just £50 for non-registrants. Register your attendance today at socenv.org.uk/event/WED2019 before the 3rd June.

The custodians of the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registers, the Society for the Environment, is delighted to announce that Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), will speak at the Society’s Annual World Environment Day Awards and Lectures on the 4th June.

In March the Society confirmed that the 2019 World Environment Day Awards and Lectures, hosted by the iconic Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will focus on the theme of “A Spotlight on Net Gain”. A topical choice, with The Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond recently announcing mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain as a requirement for developments, and the Government’s Twenty-Five Year Environment Plan including a commitment to delivering a wider Environmental Net Gain. Complementing this theme will be discussion of the connected topic of “Air Pollution”, chosen by UN Environment as the global theme for World Environment Day.

Dr Coffey, whose remit at Defra includes air quality, the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, and the natural environment – including biodiversity – will provide a fascinating insider’s perspective into these recent policy developments. She joins a brilliant line-up of speakers on this topic, including Nick Blyth CEnv, Policy and Engagement Lead at IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) and Claire Wansbury CEnv, Associate Director of Ecology at Atkins. Dr Coffey’s participation was exclusively first revealed to delegates of the Society’s recent ‘innovations’ webinar series.

Reacting to the announcement, Chair of the Society for the Environment and the Environmental Policy Forum, Professor Will Pope HonFSE CEnv, said:

“As part of our environmental leadership, the Society is proud to champion World Environment Day, and this will be the third year the Society has showcased this key global day with an expert led event. The day is a platform to celebrate the work and dedication of registered environmental professionals and their contribution to environmental good practice, which will contribute to a celebration showcasing the achievements of individuals striving to protect and enhance the environment on a daily basis.

Alongside the awards we hold a series of insightful lectures, providing expert insight into environmental issues, good practice and case studies and I am particularly pleased as Environmental Policy Forum Chair that with this year’s lectures are themed around the topic of Environmental and Biodiversity Net Gain. It will also allow us to garner some great Ministerial insights from Dr Thérèse Coffey MP into policy developments in Net Gain.”

The event will also see the presentation of the 2019 Environmental Professional of the Year Award – recognising the outstanding work of CEnv and REnvTech registrants. You can find out more about the Awards and how to submit a nomination via socenv.org.uk/SocEnvAwards19.

Both registrants and interested parties are encouraged to attend to celebrate the Society’s 15-year anniversary, World Environment Day and the work of registered environmental professionals. Registration is free for CEnv and REnvTech registrants. Make sure to register your attendance today at socenv.org.uk/event/WED2019 before the 3rd June.

The custodians of the Chartered Environmentalist and Registered Environmental Technician professional registrations, the Society for the Environment, are delighted to launch the 2019 Environmental Professional of the Year Award nominations process.

The prestigious Environmental Professional of the Year award recognises the outstanding work of Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registrants. The Award showcases the achievements of those striving to protect and enhance the environment on a daily basis and attracts a diverse range of outstanding nominations each year from across sectors and continents.

The award is open to CEnv and REnvTech registrants only, and submissions are accepted for both self-nominations and nominations for your peers, colleagues or those that inspire you. Multiple nominations from one person are accepted and you are not required to be a CEnv or REnvTech in order to submit a nomination.

To be in with a chance of showcasing your environmental work or the work of your peers, the Society encourages you to apply using the link below by the deadline of 12:00 BST on Wednesday 1st May 2019.

Submit a Nomination

Previous winners include David Stubbs CEnv, registered via the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), Martin Bigg CEnv, registered via IEMA, and the 2018 winner, Graham Powell CEnv, registered via the Institute of Water.

Immediately after the 2018 presentation, Graham expressed that he was “delighted to receive the honour” and was “in shock” when his name was announced.

Now that the news has had time to sink in, Graham gives his insight into what it meant to win the 2018 Environmental Professional of the Year award:

 “The 2018 award was a personal goal of mine after achieving runner up in the previous year, and I was in disbelief for the rest of the evening, and beyond! It is a proud moment for me – to be independently judged and recognised to be making a positive difference in an area of my job that I really care about is just a great feeling.

I’d encourage those who are thinking of nominating their peers or themselves to go for it. To have the opportunity to be considered for such awards is a great benefit of professional registration and membership. CEnv and REnvTech registration alone allows you to showcase your knowledge and experience – an award like this is a wonderful added bonus. It also provides a platform to raise the profile the positive environmental work in your sector and by the members of your professional body to a wider audience.”

For further encouragement, Graham concludes:

“The award could provide you with that little bit extra to be better placed for your career progression – it’s well worth a shot! Plus, the annual Awards and Lectures itself is a great opportunity to network with your peers, past and present, and I will be there again in 2019 to do just that.”

To find out more about the 2018 award and the reaction, please click here.

The 2019 award will be presented at the annual World Environment Day Awards and Lectures – “A Spotlight on Net Gain”, taking place at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on the 4th June 2019. Registration to attend this event is now open at socenv.org.uk/event/WED2019 and is FREE for CEnv and REnvTech registrants.

The custodians of the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registers, the Society for the Environment, are delighted to announce that Kew Gardens will host the Society’s Annual World Environment Day Awards and Lectures – “A Spotlight On Net Gain” – on the 4th June 2019, the eve of World Environment Day.

World Environment Day promotes environmental awareness and sustainability across the globe – a United Nations initiative held annually on the 5th June. It has highlighted important global issues since its origins in 1974 – including climate change, marine pollution and wildlife crime. This year’s global theme focuses on the blight of air pollution.

The Society has been championing World Environment Day for a number of years, and this year’s registration launch follows the huge success of last year’s event and awards, held at Arup, London.

The event, free to attend for current CEnv and REnvTech registrants, is a fantastic showcase for celebrating the work of environmental professionals, with a delegate list from across the Society’s twenty-five Licensed Professional Bodies. Aspiring CEnv and REnvTech registrants will also have the chance to network with current registrants and Society for the Environment staff to discover more about the benefits of registration.

On the 2019 agenda is a series of insightful expert lectures on the chosen topic of “Net Gain” – a topical choice, complementing the connected global World Environment Day theme of “Air Pollution”. In his Spring Statement, The Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain as a requirement for developments and the Government’s TwentyFive Year Environment Plan included a commitment to delivering a wider Environmental Net Gain.

Among the speakers discussing this topic will be Nick Blyth CEnv, Policy and Engagement Lead at IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) and Claire Wansbury CEnv, Associate Director of Ecology at Atkins. The event will also see Sir Graham Wynn HonFSE provide the annual HonFSE Lecture, and the presentation of the 2019 Environmental Professional of the Year Award – recognising the outstanding work of CEnv and REnvTech registrants. This prestigious award will contribute to an evening of celebrating and showcasing the achievements of those striving to protect and enhance the environment on a daily basis. Nominations will open in the coming days.

Vice Chair of the Society for the Environment and event Chair, Dougal Driver CEnv, said:

“Whether you are nervous of the threat or excited by the challenges that face the environment there is no doubt that we live in interesting times, with consistent focus upon the agendas we hold dear as registered environmental professionals. The concept and process of Net Gain has gathered common parlance in policy and professional circles; perhaps for the first time there is an environmental term that makes sense to all and can be deployed by sectors with or without a deeprooted interest in the environment.

It is simple and it is deliverable and so it is important on marquee days like World Environment Day that we highlight the opportunity that Net Gain presents to all of us. When better to recognise excellence in the environmental field then on World Environment Day and so it is exciting to see the Society announce new Honorary Fellows and of course this year‘s winner of the Environmental Professional of the Year award. I congratulate all of the award nominees in advance and urge them to use their success as fuel (renewable of course) to advocate Net Gain to all.”

The event is of particular significance this year as it marks a 15 year milestone for the Society. Everyone is encouraged to attend to celebrate the anniversary, World Environment Day and the work of environmental professionals. Registration is free for CEnv and REnvTech registrants and a minimal £25 early bird price is available to other interested parties until the 31st March.

Register your attendance today at socenv.org.uk/event/WED2019 until 3 June.