Keeping you informed
The Institution of Environmental Science receives and researches events and news which it passes on to its members. These pages are designed to carry topical news and information about environmental issues, professional development and Institutional news.
This page also carries news from our twitter account and www.eldis.org (a DEFRA / UNEP initiative which gives details of current environmental news hitting the headlines).
IES News
Apply now to become a Chartered Environmentalist in a Day...23/01/2012
A survey of IES members suggested the Chartered Environmentalists hold higher positions within organisations and earn more money. This 'CEnv in a Day' workshop is for professionals who meet the criteria for Chartership. The aim of the day is to put all participants through the Full Process Chartership application. In the morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 2 report, and the Professional Review Interview (PRI) will be conducted in the afternoon session. The next workshop will take place on the 27th February 2012. Download an application form to apply for one of only 4 places left on this workshop.
Deadline approaching for the John Rose Award 2012....18/01/2012
The closing date for John Rose Award 2012 applications is 10th February 2012. The Award isto help exceptional research fulfil its potential by communicating it beyond the scientific community. The IES believes that it is vital that this generation of environmental science graduates are equipped not just with excellent scientific and technical skills, but with the ability to communicate their findings to a wider audience. A £1,000 grant will be awarded to a project that demonstrates innovative, quality research in environmental sciences. The grant will be used for media training and the dissemination of the winner’s project, aiding in promoting the work as widely as possible and so maximise its value.
IAQM Launches Dust Guidance...01/12/11
The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) is committed to enhancing the understanding and development of the science behind air quality by promoting knowledge and understanding of best working practices. It has therefore published guidance for developers, their consultants and environmental health officers on how to assess these impacts. As the effects depend to a large extent on the mitigation measures adopted, the emphasis has been on classifying sites according to the risk of effects, to identify the mitigation appropriate to the risk.
Graduate Employment and Internships...30/11/11
The IES recently published a comprehensive report entitled Graduate Employment and Internships: issues from the environmental sciences and sustainability sectors. In today’s difficult graduate employment market there is growing controversy surrounding internships, which being often unpaid can be seen as exploitative. To identify the problems surrounding graduate employment, specifically the value that internships play in aiding graduates into employment, the IES conducted a series of surveys aimed at both graduates and employers. Fundamentally, this identified that there is little consensus amongst both graduates and employers regarding the purpose, worth and format that internships should take.
Apply now to attend a free graduate workshop...05/10/11
Apply now for a place on the IES’ first graduate workshop on the 24th October. The workshop, entitled “An introduction to project management”, is one of a number of IES services dedicated to supporting graduates seeking work in the sector. Topics include general framework of project management, planning a case-study example, reviewing your own management style, effective time management and introducing business systems, methods and culture to build upon the academic knowledge and skills base. To apply send in an application form to Gillon Dobie. Download the flyer to read more about the workshop and other services dedicated to graduates seeking work in environmental science.
A good time to join the IES...04/10/11
The IES’ membership year runs from 1st January till December 31st. However, for new members joining after 1st September the membership year will run to the end of the following calendar year. This means if you join this month you will effectively be getting 15 months for the price of 12 months. Apply now for membership to avoid missing out on the Chartered Scientist grand-parenting scheme which ends on the 31st October. For other reasons why there has never been a better time to join download our October joining leaflet.
Professional bodies unite in concern over proposed planning reforms...21/10/11
Six bodies representing a range of environmental professions have united in a joint letter to planning Minister, Greg Clarke MP, expressing their concern over the current planning reform proposals from Government. In the latest of a wave of expressions of concern, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, Royal Meteorological Society, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Institution of Environmental Sciences, Arboricultural Association and Institute of Fisheries Management challenged the proposals under the draft National Planning Policy Framework as they currently stand.
The best time to join the IES...13/09/11
The IES’ membership year runs from 1st January till December 31st. However, for new members joining after 1st September the membership year will run to the end of the following calendar year. This means if you join this month you will effectively be getting 16 months for the price of 12 months. Apply now for membership to avoid missing out on the Chartered Scientist grand-parenting scheme which ends on the 31st October. For other reasons why there has never been a better time to join download our September joining leaflet.
Journal: Education: a journey through environmental science...13/09/11
The latest edition of Environmental Scientist, Education: a journey through environmental science, has been published for members of the Institution. This issue considers the factors that influences and factors affecting people's journey towards a profession in environmental science, from primary school, through higher education and in the working world. The previous edition, Air Quality and Health, has now been released into the public domain on our journal archive page. This issue looks at: the health impacts of air pollution are really significant in the overall health of the population; estimates of the health dis-benefits; the UK air quality and public health campaign.
Become a CEnv on the 21st October...09/09/11
Apply now for one of only a few place left on the next 'CEnv in a Day' workshop on Friday 21st October. The 'CEnv in a Day' is for professionals who meet the criteria for Chartership, with over 80 candidates having already gone through these workshops. The aim of the day is to put all participants through the Full Process Chartership application. In the morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 2 report, and the Professional Review Interview (PRI) will be conducted in the afternoon session. To apply please download the application form or get in touch with the IES Project Office for more information.
Become a CEnv on the 20th September...17/08/11
Apply now for one of only a few place left on the next 'CEnv in a Day' workshop on Tuesday 20th September. The 'CEnv in a Day' is for professionals who meet the criteria for Chartership, with over 70 candidates having already gone through these workshops. The aim of the day is to put all participants through the Full Process Chartership application. In the morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 2 report, and the Professional Review Interview (PRI) will be conducted in the afternoon session. To apply please download the application form or get in touch with the IES Project Office for more information.
Apply now for an internship with the IES...1/08/11
As an expanding charity, the IES is looking for part-time volunteers to help at our central London offices in Victoria. The positions are for one to two days per week (exactly which days each week is negotiable), and for a minimum duration of 3 months. Interns will gain knowledge and experience of working for a charitable organisation, during a time of expansion, as well as an understanding of how professional bodies operate. Interns will be engaged in exciting major projects including research into addressing gender inequalities in environmental sciences and influencing policy. They will also be involved other areas such as compiling new issues of our journal, contributing to our monthly e-newsletter, and organising events as part of our 40th birthday celebrations. To find out more see our Internship page or contact the IES Office. Deadline for applications is the 18th August.
Launch of the IES Mentoring Scheme...29/07/2011
The IES is launching its new mentoring scheme, pairing up members currently seeking work in environmental sciences with experienced environmental professionals. The is dedicated to members of the ‘Back to Work’ and ‘Into Work’ Schemes, establishing partnerships between graduates and professionals seeking work and experienced members currently working in their chosen field. Mentoring is an effective way of helping people to plan their careers and gain invaluable insight into their chosen sector. Download a Mentee Profile Form to apply for a Mentor. The IES is looking for Full Members and Fellows to volunteer as Mentors for the scheme. Download Mentor Profile Form to volunteer as a Mentor.
Another reason to get your CSci...29/07/2011
On the 1st October, the Science Council are increasing their fees for Chartered Scientist (CSci) by £5, taking the cost of CSci registration up to £40. Send your application in to the IES office by mid-September to avoid this price rise. The CSci grandparenting year finishes at the end of October. To find out if you are eligible to apply for this streamlined application process get in touch with the IES Project Office.
Next CEnv in a Day workshop - 25th July...10/06/2011
The next 'CEnv in a Day' workshop, to help IES members become Chartered Environmentalists, will be held on the 25th July. The 'CEnv in a Day' is for professionals who meet the criteria for Chartership, with over 70 candidates having already gone through these workshops. The aim of the day is to put all participants through the Full Process Chartership application. In the morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 2 report, and the Professional Review Interview (PRI) will be conducted in the afternoon session. To apply please download the application form.
Uncertainties in NOx/NO2 emissions...03/06/2011
Book now to attend this IAQM event on the 12th July entitled, 'Uncertainties in NOx/NO2 emissions: Implications for air quality & development control'. The event will include debate on the implications of issues with predicting NO2 and practical ways forward especially in development control. The event is free for IAQM members to attend and will take place at ARUP, Fitzroy Street, London. Email Clare Beattie to guarantee attendance as places are limited.
Maturing with the Sector: the IES at 40...12/05/2011
On the 2nd June the IES will launch its 40th anniversary celebrations with an exclusive evening reception, 'Maturing with the Sector: the IES at 40'. The evening's festivities will include an overview of the past successes and future challenges in environmental sciences by Sir John Lawton. Sir John Lawton is a leading British ecologist, who in an illustrious career has been the chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, head of the Natural Environmental Research Council and Chairman of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.The reception offers an opportunity to learn more about the history and the current activities of the IES and to network with other distinguished guests. The evening will also include the IES Annual General Meeting.
IES at Cheltenham...12/05/2011
IES Honorary Fellow Jonathon Porritt will be speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival on the topic of 'The Limits of our Planet', a follow up to his thought-provoking 2010 Burntwood Lecture. Jonathon will be discussing how far we can push our planet before reaching the boundary of sustainability. Why not join us at this IES-sponsored event on Tuesday 7th June?
Next 'CEnv in a Day' Workshop...13/04/2011
The next 'CEnv in a Day' workshop, to help IES members become Chartered Environmentalists, will be held on the16th May. The 'CEnv in a Day' is for professionals who meet the criteria for Chartership. The aim of the day is to put all participants through the Full Process Chartership application. In the morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 2 report, and the Professional Review Interview (PRI) will be conducted in the afternoon session. To apply please download the application form.
Next 'CEnv in a Day' Workshop...14/03/2011
The next 'CEnv in a Day' workshop, to help IES members become Chartered Environmentalists, will be held on the 8th April. The 'CEnv in a Day' is for professionals who meet the criteria for Chartership. The aim of the day is to put all participants through the Full Process Chartership application. In the morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 2 report, and the Professional Review Interview (PRI) will be conducted in the afternoon session. To apply please download the application form.
IES commits to addressing gender inequality in environmental sciences...8/03/2011
In support of International Women’s Day on the 8th March 2011, and to mark its 40th anniversary (2011), the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) is seeking both to celebrate the role of women and actively address issues of gender inequalities in the environmental science profession.The latest issue of the IES journal included research into pervading gender differences in the profession. In response to the issues raised by the journal, the Institution has released a press statement, committing itself to addressing persisting gender inequalities as one of the main pillars of its 40th anniversary celebrations, which begin in the summer 2011.
Journal: Environmental Justice: Inequality and Gender...28/01/2011
The latest edition of Environmental Scientist: Environmental Justice: Inequality and Gender has been published for members of the Institution. This issue considers the unequal distribution of the burden of environmental injustice, including articles focusing on access to resources, the impact of research on local communities, the right to information, and the role of women as change agents. The previous edition, Imagining Britain in 2050, has now been released into the public domain on our journal archive page.
New Byelaws... 21/01/2011
The IES Council has undertaken a modernisation of the Institution's byelaws which have now been published in the Members' Area. As part of the Institution's application to begin awarding the Charted Scientist deisgnation, the Science Council recommended updating our Byelaws and Code of Professional Conduct, thus modernising and adapting them to recent changes.The Institution consulting its members on the proposed changes last year. These Byelawsoperate from 21st January 2011 and shall supersede all other Bye-Laws previously in force.
Project Intern Positions with the IES now available...20/01/2011
As an expanding charity, the IES requires two part-time volunteers to help at our central London offices in Victoria. The positions are for one to two days per week (exactly which days each week is negotiable), and for a minimum duration of 3 months. Interns will gain knowledge and experience of working for a charitable organisation, during a time of expansion, as well as an understanding of how professional bodies operate. Interns will be engaged in exciting major projects including reviewing and writing abstracts for past issues our journal, and researching environmental careers for our new environmental careers website. They will also be involved other areas such as compiling new issues of our journal, contributing to our monthly e-newsletter, and organising events as part of our 40th birthday celebrations. To find out more see our Internship page or contact the IES Office.
The Growth Fetish and the Death of Environmentalism... 20/12/2010
Jonathan Porritt used the platform provided by the Burntwood Lecture 2010 to launch a scathing criticism of the growth fetish of society and slammed government, NGOs and professional bodies for their response to the looming environmental crisis. He attacked NGO’s historic piecemeal approach to small scale environmental problems whilst ignoring the rampant destruction the biosphere by the capitalist economic system, saying “for every short term win there is a pattern of wider attrition of the environment.” He accused NGOs of existing in a “holding reality”, revelling in small victories but failing to issue a long overdue planetary warning.
He criticised the Western World’s obsession with GDP and their citizens’ attachment to the “hedonic treadmill”, and highlighting that climate change is far from the “most serious of the human economy’s economic transgression”. In addition, he also blamed denialism, seduction and inertia, incumbency, corruption, and the illusion of limitlessness for a series of planetary environmental crises that threaten human society in the 21st century.
IAQM Event: Reviewing the Guidance on Dust Control from Construction...14/12/2010
This IAQM event focuses on the impact of construction dust on air quality and reviewing the implementation of Guidance in controlling construction dust. Speakers include Stuart Upton (BRE), Duncan Laxen (AQ Consultants), Gary Mahoney (Sefton Borough Council), Simon Cousins (GLA) and Ben Barratt (King's College). The event is hosted by BRE, and includes a tour of BRE's Environmental Wind Tunnel and Innovation Park. The Environmental Wind Tunnel is one of the few European facilities that enables architects, engineers and building managers to understand how outdoor pollutants disperse around buildings and how they can be drawn into ventilation systems and affect indoor air quality. The Innovation Park is a a showcase of the very latest in UK building design, construction, materials and components. Interest in this event is likely to be high, so booking is essential! For more information or to book contact the IES Office.
ENEP EU publications... 07/12/2010
ENEP have released their latest Newsflash focussing on Cancun and the EU budget and containing scores of links. The organisations has also published an overview of the 2011 EU work programme.
Hayley Pankhurst wins the John Rose Award 2010 for her research... 06/12/2010
University of Gloucestershire graduate, Hayley Pankhurst, has been awarded the John Rose Award 2010 for her research in Green Infrastructure. Hayley, who graduated this summer with an MSc (Distinction) in Environmental Policy and Management, works for Natural England and is engaged on the Growth Point Strategy and Joint Core Strategy reviews for South Worcestershire. Her dissertation, entitled "Green Infrastructure: Mainstreaming The Concept", attempted to determine the methodologies that might be most effective in adopting the Green Infrastructure approach in the emerging planning documentation. Hayley will be presented the award at the Burntwood Lecture in London, where she will deliver a short presentation detailing her research and how she intends to use the prize money of £1000 to disseminate her research to a wider audience.
CEnv in a Day... 21/09/2010
Want to become a Chartered Environmentalist but don't feel that you have enough time? The Institution is running a new 'CEnv in a Day' workshop on the 12th January 2011. In a morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 1 & 2 reports, interviews will be conducted in the afternoon session. We expect this workshop to be extremely popular and places are limited. Candidates will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis, so register your interest now by emailing here and download an application form.
Jonathon Porritt announced as Burntwood Lecture Speaker... 07/09/2010
The IES is pleased to announce that Jonathon Porritt will be giving the keynote address at this year's Burntwood Lecture on the topic 'The Growth Fetish and the Death of Environmentalism'. 'There's not a mainstream political party in the world out there challenging the orthodoxy of business-as-usual economic growth - stretching indefinitely into the future. Meanwhile, environmentalists continue to do their best to slow the pace of destruction, but are still losing battle after battle. Worse yet, we'll lose the war if we can't free ourselves of our subservient dependence on today's earth-destroying economic growth'.
The Lecture will be held at the Royal Society in London on the 13th December. In a career spanning four decade Jonathon has been Chair of the UK Ecology Party (now the Green Party), Director of Friends of the Earth in Britain, Chair of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future, founder of Forum for the Future and Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission. This free event also features the presentation of the John Rose Award. You can request tickets by contacting the IES Office.
September - the best time to join the IES... 01/09/2010
The IES’ membership year runs from 1st January till December 31st. However, for new members joining after 1st September the membership year will run to the end of the following calendar year. This means if you join this month you will effectively be getting 16 months for the price of 12 months. For other reasons why there has never been a better time to join download our September joining leaflet.
Journal: Imagining Britain in 2050... 24/08/2010
The latest edition of Environmental Scientist: Imagining Britain in 2050 has been published for members of the Institution. This issue aims to paint a picture of a low carbon Britain. Articles conceptualise how transport, cities, air quality, housing, fashion and the IES itself will have changed by the middle of the century. The previous edition, From soil to sale: the impact of food production, has now been released into the public domain on our journal archive page.
SocEnv Event: Innovating for a Sustainable Future... 16/08/2010
The Environmental Sustainability KTN and Society for the Environment invite you to participate in an exciting facilitated workshop. It will explore the opportunities created by combining innovative thinking practices with environmental professionalism to deliver sustainable value to business. The event is designed for environmental practitioners and individuals of any profession seeking to acquire knowledge and tools to make them and their organisation better equipped to succeed in the low carbon economy. This workshop will provide participants with a thought provoking introduction to sustainable innovation concepts, applicable to solve real-world industry problems.
CEnv in a Day... 13/08/2010
Want to become a Chartered Environmentalist but don't feel that you have enough time? The Institution is running a new 'CEnv in a Day' workshop on the 12th October. In a morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 1 & 2 reports, interviews will be conducted in the afternoon session. We expect this workshop to be extremely popular and places are limited. Candidates will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis, so register your interest now by emailing here and download an application form.
Sustainability Sense: Linking personal and organisational values... 21/07/2010
PP4SD and the IES have published a report exploring how values and emotions can be engaged to support a more sustainable lifestyle. Over the past 12 years PP4SD has developed and run sustainability training programmes for diverse groups of professionals. We have come to realise that there are many factors that sometimes inhibit and at other times promote progress, from purely personal to institutional. These obstacles and opportunities need to be understood and acted upon. PP4SD’s strategy is to address these issues and integrate them into new CPD programmes.
IAQM Launches Ian McCrae Travel Award... 19/07/2010
The Institute for Air Quality Management is pleased to announce the launch of the Ian McCrae Travel Award. As of 2010 the Institute for Air Quality Management (IAQM) will be running the IAQM Ian McCrae Travel Award every year to support the professional development of early career air quality professionals. The £1000 grant will be used to enable the winners to attend an air quality conference in the UK or abroad by covering conference, travel and accommodation costs. This Award has been established in memorial to the life and work of Dr Ian McCrae, who passed away earlier this year. Ian was an internationally-respected air quality scientist and was instrumental in setting up the IAQM. For more information see our awards page.
IES Report: Pancheshwar Dam Study... 01/07/2010
The Institution has published an report entitled ‘The proposed Pancheshwar Dam, India/Nepal: A preliminary ecosystem services assessment of likely outcomes’. Whilst the report expresses the views of the authors and not the Institution, we are happy to provide a platform for the publication of the report. The report, authored jointly by Mark Everard, the IES Chair, and Gaurav Kataria, who is based in Delhi, will provide a good reference guide for those members looking to write an ecosystem services assessment based on sound science. The conclusions of the report are potentially controversial, but part of our motivation in publishing special reports is to generate debate. If you have any comments please email them to Julia Heaton.
Changes to Bye-Laws &
Code of Professional Conduct... 24/06/2010
The IES is working with the Science Council towards becoming licensed to award the Chartered Scientist qualification. As part of this application, the Science Council recommended updating our Bye-Laws and Code of Professional Conduct, thus modernising and adapting them to recent changes. In line with best practise the IES is now consulting its members on the proposed changes. Please download the proposed Bye-Laws and Code of Conduct. The old Bye-Laws and Code of Conduct are also supplied for reference. If you have any thoughts or questions about these changes, please email Julia Heaton before the 23rd July.
John Rose Award Winner Produces Research Video...15/06/2010
The 2009 John Rose Award Winner, Carly Daniels, has released a video explaining her research into using probiotics to encourage lobster growth at the National Lobster Hatchery. Carly used the prize money to produce this video. The John Rose Award honours and publicises a piece of outstanding post-graduate environmental science research that informs and motivates the general public. To enter the 2010 Award see our Awards page.
1st July, 2pm - IAQM Meeting on Future NO2 Concentrations... 11/06/2010
The accurate prediction of future nitrogen dioxide concentrations is hugely important to demonstrate that the UK will achieve compliance with current air quality objectives and limit values. Current guidance suggests that concentrations of this pollutant will fall significantly in the coming years but several bodies have expressed some concern that the predicted decreases may be optimistic as concentrations still seem to be stable or even increasing in some areas.
IAQM has organised an afternoon meeting to discuss this issue and to consider how air quality professionals could consider this uncertainty in their assessments. Two speakers will set the scene and discuss the issues involved: Dr David Carslaw, from Kings College London, will make a presentation on the historical evidence and emerging issues regarding the likely cause of the problem based on recent research work he has been undertaking for DEFRA; Steve Moorcroft, from Air Quality Consultants, will talk about how the issue could be considered in planning applications and present some ideas on how we could deal with the problem. Following these presentations the meeting will be open for debate and questions and answers. Experience from previous IAQM meetings suggest that we will have a lively debate so please come prepared with your views.
CEnv in a Day... 01/06/2010
Want to become a Chartered Environmentalist but don't feel that you have enough time? The Institution is running a new 'CEnv in a Day' workshop on the 28th September. In a morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 1 & 2 reports, interviews will be conducted in the afternoon session. We expect this workshop to be extremely popular and places are limited. Candidates will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis, so register your interest now by emailing here and download an application form.
EFAEP Bulletin...04/15/2010
The April edition of the EFAEP bulletin - featuring articles on the Soil Directive Framework, the Good & Green Guide Amsterdam and Mountain Sustainability - can be found here.
CEnv in a Day...29/04/2010
Want to become a Chartered Environmentalist but don't feel that you have enough time? The Institution is running a new 'CEnv in a Day' workshop on the 16th July. In a morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 1 & 2 reports, interviews will be conducted in the afternoon session. We expect this workshop to be extremely popular and places are limited. Candidates will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis, so register your interest now by emailing here and download an application form.
April IES Journal Published...20/04/2010
The latest edition of Environmental Scientist: From soil to sale has been published. This edition focused on the international impact of food production.The previous edition focused on the forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London, assessing the impacts, benefits and legacies that may result, and looked back to past Olympic events. This has now been released into the public domain on our journal archive page.
Want to work at the IES?...10/04/2010
The Institution of Environmental Scientist is looking for a Project Officer to help ensure the smooth running of the organisation. The post holder will look after the day-to-day affairs of a rapidly expanding charity. They will help develop new membership services, improve existing services and aid the Senior Executive Officer in projects. Closed 10th May 2010.
CEnv in a Day...08/04/2010
Want to become a Chartered Environmentalist but don't feel that you have enough time? The Institution is running a new 'CEnv in a Day' workshop on the 7th May. In a morning session candidates will be advised on editing their Stage 1 & 2 reports, interviews will be conducted in the afternoon session. We expect this workshop to be extremely popular and places are limited. Candidates will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis, so register your interest now by emailing here and download an application form.