Applying for Chartered Environmentalist Status through the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

As a successful Applicant for Chartered Environmentalist status you will be asked to sign the Code of Ethics laid down by the Society for the Environment as follows:

As a Chartered Environmentalist I will:

• act in accordance with the best principles for the mitigation of environmental harm and the enhancement of environmental quality;
  
• strive to ensure that the uses of natural resources are fair and sustainable, taking account of the needs of a diverse society;
  
• use my skills and experience to serve the needs of the environment and society;
  
• serve as an example to others for responsible environmental behaviour;
  
• not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or discrimination; and
  
• commit to maintaining my personal professional competence and strive to maintain the integrity and competence of my profession.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is defined as 'the systematic maintenance improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional duties throughout working life'. IEEM aims to promote high professional standards and to ensure public confidence in the professional service offered by all its members. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an important part of this both for individual members and for IEEM as a whole.

Throughout your professional career personal development is essential to achieve and enhance skills and ability. Evidence of CPD is a demonstration of commitment to professional practice.

As a Chartered Environmentalist you must build on prior experience and are responsible for managing your CPD and taking appropriate action to update your skills as relevant to your job and career interests. You will be aware of:

• the professional, commercial and legal requirement for evidence of CPD;
• ways of providing evidence of commitment to CPD; and
• the requirement to provide suitable evidence of commitment to CPD.

As a Chartered Environmentalist you will take responsibility for the management of your CPD by:

• identifying and prioritising your development needs and opportunities;
• using appropriate guidelines from IEEM together with competence benchmark/standards;
• planning and carrying out personal development using a range of appropriate learning opportunities;
• recording your development achievements; and
• evaluating your achievements and reviewing them against your needs.

As a Chartered Environmentalist you will offer support for the learning and development of others by:

• encouraging employers to support professional development;
• sharing professional expertise and knowledge; and
• contributing to the activities of others.

It is a membership requirement that you undertake CPD. Chartered Status CPD requirements are the same as IEEM. The requirements are that you:

• undertake a minimum of 20 hours CPD each year. Hopefully, you will do more than this.
• half of your CPD should be structured and half unstructured (see Professional Issues Series No 3 below); and
• maintain and submit a record of CPD on the official IEEM CPD form (see ‘Recording your CPD’).

Please see the Professional Issues Series No. 3: Continuing Professional Development in the Members' Section.

You will have a minimum of 12 units of knowledge and/or experience, which will include at least four years relevant experience, depending upon the level and duration of your academic study, and be able to demonstrate knowledge of, competence in and engagement with sustainable management of the environment.

Educational Component

The framework for assessing the educational component of the pre-qualifying criteria is set out below. The Institute will be responsible for judging relevance and will seek guidance on types of qualifications not defined below. The Institute will appraise academic qualifications on an individual basis. You will have to demonstrate that you have accrued up to a maximum of 8 units of successful academic study.

Overseas qualifications will be assessed for their equivalence against UK qualifications.

For Vocational Qualifications, only a S/NVQ at level 4 or 5 will be accepted as credit towards the 8 units. Part of these qualifications may also count towards the 4 units of experience where relevant to the pre-qualifying criteria

Professional Experience Component

You will have a minimum of four years of prior experience relevant to the Institute and your area of work. The period of experience will have included the development of skills, specialist knowledge and competence needed to practise and have led to a level of all-round professional competence. You will be required (through the written report and PRI) to demonstrate how:

i. competence has been achieved,
ii. breadth of knowledge has been developed; and
iii. you are engaged in sustainablemanagement of the environment.

Award of Units

Units will be awarded as follows:

· 1 years relevant experience = 1 unit
· 1 years relevant education = 2 units
· The minimum qualifying academic/vocational qualifications are HNC/HND or NVQ level 4.
· A maximum of eight units can be accrued for education.
· *Part-time education courses can count pro-rata towards the education units and work experience can count towards relevant work units - if judged appropriate by the Licensed Body.
· A minimum of four years vocational experience is required.

Notes: *Part of these qualifications can also be assessed for relevant units of experience, as long as period of studies and relevant experience are not double counted.

A: Use your knowledge and understanding of the environment to further the aims of sustainable development.

A1. Understand fundamental sustainable development principles, in particular the environmental management component.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Describe the relationship between economic, social and environmental issues.
• Understand the need for natural resource protection.
• Understand the need to create sustainable communities – places where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
• Understand the need for sustainable consumption and production and the requirement to achieve more with less.
• Identify global environmental issues and define how they can impact at a local level.

A2. Demonstrate an ability to contribute to sustainable development through the application of knowledge and understanding.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Identify the limits of own personal knowledge and skills.
• Promote environmental improvement throughout the organization’s customer and supplier networks.
• Have regard to relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, including social and employment legislation.
• Operate and act responsibly, taking account of the need to progress environmental, social and economic outcomes.

A3. Explain the critical importance of maintaining and enhancing natural cycles and biodiversity in achieving sustainability.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Identify links between natural resource degradation, habitat destruction and impact on species, consequent upon depleting natural resources.
• Understand important natural cycles (hydrological, carbon, etc.) and the potential impact of people and organisations on them.

B. Analyse and evaluate problems from an environmental perspective and develop practical sustainable solutions.

B1. Clearly analyse and evaluate environmental problems.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Identify and agree appropriate environmental assessment methodologies (which might include Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment).
• Use imagination, creativity and innovation to provide products and services that support the principles of sustainable development.

B2. See beyond strict legislative compliance and anticipate environmental trends.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Understand current environmental legislation and anticipate its future direction.
• Demonstrate how future possible legislation might influence current decision-making.
• Anticipate possible environmental change and predict possible consequences.
  

C. Demonstrate leadership in sustainable management of the environment.

C1. Seek to influence others positively in respect of environmental issues, effects and sustainable development.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Actively learn from feedback on results to improve future environmental solutions and build best practice.
• Negotiate the necessary contractual arrangements with other stakeholders (client, subcontractors, suppliers, etc.).
• Encourage others to understand the wider environmental picture.
• Provide leadership ensuring development is carried out in a sustainable manner.

C2. Promote a positive sustainable environmental culture and move towards sustainability.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Identify and influence users’ needs and opportunities for environmental improvement.
• Assess marketing needs and contribute to marketing strategies.
• Identify constraints and exploit opportunities for the development and transfer of technology within own chosen field.
• Promote new environmental applications and/or solutions when appropriate.
• Influence others to promote behavior and culture change.

C3. Demonstrate leadership and management skills.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Motivate others - agree objectives and work plans with teams and individuals.
• Identify team and individual needs, and plan for their development.
• Assess team and individual performance, and provide feedback.
• Mentor and support others in the work place.

D. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.

D1. Develop and communicate the environmental case.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Contribute to, chair and record meetings and discussions.
• Prepare letters, documents and reports.
• Exchange information and provide advice to colleagues.
• Engage with a wider audience by writing articles/guidelines/books etc.

D2. Identify, engage with and respond to an appropriate range of stakeholders.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Be aware of the needs and concerns of others.
• Form and maintain productive working relationships with others.
• Understand and encourage stakeholder involvement and be accountable to them.

D3 Develop effective means with which to liaise with and advise others.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Organise and lead work teams, coordinating project activities.
• Provide feedback to colleagues and recommend improvements.
• Present conclusions of environmental debates clearly and concisely when consulted.

E. Demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment.

E1: Ensure individuals and organisations are accountable and understand their responsibility for environmental damage and improvement.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Comply with the rules of professional conduct of own professional body.
• Promote and engage/comply with environmental reporting and disclosure within limits of client confidentiality.
• Work constructively within relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, including social and employment legislation.
• Ensure that variations from environmental standards, improvement programmes and budgets are identified, and that corrective action is taken.
• Sign and commit to SocEnv Code of Ethics.

E2. Take responsibility for own personal development and work towards and secure change and improvements for a sustainable future.

Some examples of how this could be demonstrated are:

• Develop and evaluate opportunities and constraints for continuous environmental improvement.
• Identify the required cost, quality, safety, reliability, appearance, fitness for purpose and environmental impact of changes and improvements.
• Actively learn from feedback on results to improve environmental outcomes and establish best practice.
• Undertake reviews of own development needs.
• Prepare and evaluate action plans to meet personal and organisational objectives.