Communities

Our communities are groups of people who come together around a shared goal, shared interest or shared set of values. Communities are our key tool for engaging with our members, enabling them to generate ideas for events, publications, guidance, and  policy work. Instead of work being coordinated by a centralised bureaucracy, work is coordinated by groups of members using agile management techniques. Communities allow us to adapt to the increased specialisation of the environment sector and deliver bespoke benefits for members.

Air Quality

The IAQM is the professional body for air quality professionals in the UK, acting as the voice for air quality by producing useful and timely guidance on matters affecting air quality professionals and by responding to Government consultations. The IAQM is committed to maintaining, enhancing and promoting the highest standards of working practices in the field and supports the development of professionals working in the sector.

We provide support to the work of the IAQM committee and the IAQM acts as the air quality community within the IES, providing support for professionals specialising in ambient and indoor air quality through events, tailored CPD opportunities and guidance. The IAQM also has a dedicated Early Career Network for those in the early stages of their career.

Events | Guidance | Membership

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A multidisciplinary community providing a forum for thought-provoking, critical conversations around EIA from a science perspective. We aim to connect and support environmental scientists and practitioners working across a range of specialisms involved in the EIA process and facilitate meaningful discussions on topical issues related to EIA.

Forthcoming activity: Webinar on decision making for major infrastructure
Recent activity: Last community debate | Guidance on proving competence in EIA

Environmental Education

CHES provides representation and leadership to the environmental education communities. CHES and the IES work to ensure young people from all backgrounds are inspired to begin and sustain an environmental education – from primary to postgraduate.

 CHES are an active networking organisation enhancing the quality of outcomes for education institutions teaching environmental disciplines. They facilitate connections between members and develop new avenues of international co-operation within the environmental science community.

Membership is for Further or Higher Education institutions delivering environmental programmes.  All academic staff within the environmental unit can become part of the CHES network, whether they are involved in teaching, learning or research.

Visit the CHES website

Land Condition

The Land Condition Community was established in 2017 in recognition that land condition professionals make up the largest proportion of our membership. We hold a number of community meetings a year and work collaboratively with members to decide on a yearly work plan of activities, including the provision of tailored CPD opportunities throughout the year. The work of the Community is member-driven with an elected Steering Group leading on Community objectives. The Community also has a dedicated network for Early Career Professionals, providing valuable opportunities for professional development and peer-to-peer learning.

Forthcoming activity: Next Community meeting | IES Webinar: The use of insurance to manage environmental risk associated with the development of brownfield land | Collaborative event with Ireland Brownfield Network
Recent activities: Early Careers Meeting | Land Condition Symposium | Land condition journal 

Marine & Coastal

A community of like-minded professionals looking to promote an interdisciplinary approach to marine and coastal issues. We 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.

Forthcoming activities: Year of the English Coast | Ocean Decade
Recent activities: Last community meeting | Estuary edges webinar | Marine journal 

COP26 Community

In the lead up to COP26, the IES is focused on championing the work of professionals in the environmental sciences, promoting the work of experts and evidence around climate change and driving change to ensure adaptation measures are accurate, ambitious and achievable. We will support our members involved in COP26 and those working in related areas through tailored discussions, events and resources in line with our STAGES on the road to COP26.

We are looking for practitioners and researchers with expertise in climatology, the vulnerability of natural and socio-economic systems to climate change, adaptation and mitigation strategies (including climate resilience), behavioural and social sciences, and stakeholder engagement. We would be particularly interested in individuals with policy experience and involvement in previous COPs. If you are interested in contributing your time and expertise to assist us in our work around COP26 please get in touch.

Forthcoming activity: Climate action and sustainable development: Synergies and trade-offs  

Recent activity: STAGES on the road to COP26 blog post