New workstream on Environmental Implementation
The Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) is launching a new working group on environmental implementation.
The working group will build on the success of EPIC's 2024-2025 implementation science workstream, which culminated in the publication of EPIC's seminal guidance for local authorities on environmental implementation.
Why this matters
Environmental policies often fail to achieve intended outcomes because they lack clear pathways for delivery. Local authorities face resource constraints and operational challenges, while policymakers rarely embed implementability into policy design.
This new workstream will run from 2026-2027, and is an opportunity for researchers, practitioners, and policy experts to contribute to a growing body of work on implementation science in the environmental sector. Despite its proven value in health and social care, implementation approaches remain underutilised in environmental policy and practice. We aim to change that.
What we will deliver
The working group will deliver three pillars of work. The workstream brief, available to download at the end of this page, offers more details.
1. Supporting pracitioners to implement environmental policy
Local authorities often face challenges in translating environmental policy into actionable steps. Limited awareness of implementation science, resource constraints, and fragmented guidance hinder effective delivery. This pillar focuses on supporting pracitioners through training and peer networks, building on EPIC's guidance on environmental implementation.
2. Developing the evidence base on environmental implementation
While widely adopted in other sectors, implementation science is underutilised in the environmental sector. This pillar will focus on commissioning and supporting research applying implementation science to the environment, working with the UK Implementation Society and European Implementation Collaborative.
3. Advocating for 'implementation-minded policy making'
How can we ensure that environmental policies are developed with implementation and implementers in mind? How can implementation considerations be integrated into legislative and regulatory processes? This pillar will focus on developing a white paper for environmental policy-makers on 'implementation-minded policy making'.
How to get involved
The terms of reference, available to download at the end of this page, offers more information on working group membership.
EPIC members can apply to join the working group by sending a short expression of interest (max 250 words) to EPIC Coordinator Ellie Savage (ellie@the-ies.org). The expression of interest should outline why you want to join the working group, which pillars you are the most interested in, and the skills and experience you could bring. Deadline for expressions of interest is close of play Friday 20th Febuary.
Please note: all IES members and local authority environmental professionals can join EPIC for free by emailing EPIC Coordinator Ellie Savage (ellie@the-ies.org). See the FAQs on the EPIC homepage for more details.
Header image credit: © JUAN CARLOS MUNOZ via Adobe
