Communities

Our Communities

The IES connects people, profession and practice

The IES Communities - connecting for change

Our active Communities bring professionals together around a shared goal, interest or set of values. Working with them, the IES generates events, publications, guidance, and policy work to transform our environment and our members' careers

Air Quality

The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) is a member-led organisation within the IES family supporting excellence and technical competence in the air quality profession. As the authoritative voice for air quality professionals in the UK, the IAQM develops sector-leading technical guidance to support a robust, science-based approach to improving air quality.

Climate Action

Our interdisciplinary Climate Action Community (CAC) champions transformative approaches to reshaping unsustainable systems. We recognise that climate change cannot be addressed in isolation but requires solutions that address the interlinked challenges of biodiversity loss and pollution.

Education & Training

CEDHE (Community of Environmental Disciplines in Higher Education) provides representation and leadership to the environmental education communities. CEDHE and the IES work to ensure young people from all backgrounds are inspired to begin and sustain an environmental education – from primary to postgraduate. CEDHE are an active networking organisation enhancing the quality of outcomes for education institutions teaching environmental disciplines.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The EIA Community provides a forum for thought-provoking, critical conversations around EIA from a science-based perspective. The Community aims to connect and support environmental scientists and practitioners working across a range of specialisms involved in the EIA process and to facilitate meaningful discussion between disciplines on the key issues facing the sector.

Land Condition

The Land Condition Community (LCC) connects members and partners to share expertise, shape resources, and drive standards across the field, supporting sustainable practice in land remediation and development. Its Early Careers Network supports those starting out with mentoring, learning, and peer connection. The Community leads the annual Land Condition Symposium, runs webinars and discussions, develops professional guidance, and contributes to policy and consultation responses.

Marine & Coastal

The Marine & Coastal Science Community is a community of like-minded professionals looking to promote an interdisciplinary approach to marine and coastal issues to support the sustainable management of our coasts and oceans. They aim to develop tailored professional development opportunities to support researchers and professionals in the marine and coastal sector and to further advance the specialism through the promotion of their work and engagement with key stakeholders.

Policy Implementation

The Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) brings together members from across the environmental sciences to share their experiences and call for ambitious and deliverable policy, as well as providing members with the knowledge, insights and tools to help them deliver on the ground.

Water

The Foundation for Water Research (FWR) is a of professionals from across the water sector and related scientific specialisms. The community comes together for deliberative discussion to support the development of interdisciplinary solutions to water challenges.

Learn more about our Communities

What do Communities do?

IES Communities bring together members from an environmental specialism (for example, land condition) or around an interdisciplinary challenge (for example, climate action).

Communities are member-led, meaning that each Community’s outputs differ depending on their needs and interests. Each Community develops a yearly workplan of key projects, outlining key projects and timescales.

Typical activities can include:

Community meetings
Events, including webinars and workshops
An Annual Conference
Policy outputs, including consultation responses
Publications, including guidance, reports and articles
Each Community has a regular newsletter that keeps community members informed of updates and opportunities.

In pursuit of the IES's strategy around interdisciplinary working, Communities also collaborate on cross-cutting topics, including the IES’s annual Dialogue Between Disciplines Conferences.

Why should I join a Community?

By joining a Community, you will be part of a dynamic network of dedicated professionals taking a leading role in the sector. You'll help develop tailored activities and resources that will advance the field and will gain valuable CPD.

Communities are an excellent way to connect with fellow environmental scientists, both working in your field and in related areas.

How can I join a Community?

All members can join a Community – it is an IES membership benefit.

IES Members can join Communities through the Manage my Communities form in the Members' Portal. If you would like to join a Community but you’re unsure which Community suits your interests, the IES Team can help guide you based on your background and professional goals. You can join more than one community.

If you are an early-career professional, we would encourage you to engage with our Communities - it is a great way of building your network, gaining CPD, and contributing to sector-wide work. Two of our Communities (Land Condition and Air Quality) also have dedicated Early Careers Networks, which provide tailored support for those in the early part of their careers.

Some Communities also allow non-IES members to join in certain circumstances. These will be outlined on the individual Community webpages.

What should I expect to receive and contribute as a Community member?

Once you have joined a Community, you will automatically receive the Community newsletter, where you will be the first to hear about Community activities and opportunities to get involved.

These could include:

Attending a Community meeting or event
Speaking at a Community event
Contributing to a Community publication
Expressing interest in joining a Committee/Steering Group
Joining a dedicated Working Group or Subcommittee
Contributing to a Community consultation response
Representing the Community on external groups

There’s no minimum requirement to join a Community - your contribution can evolve with your availability. Communities typically hold several events each year, as well as biannual Community meetings – attendance at these is optional but encouraged. If you choose to join a Committee/Steering Group, Working Group or Subcommittee, the adverts for these positions will specify the expectations and time commitment involved.