Recognising the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in delivering effective environmental action, the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and CIRIA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on cross-cutting issues related to environmental science and construction. 

The partnership will focus on shared knowledge and joint discussions on topics such as PFAS management and soil health. As part of this, CIRIA’s Soils Community of Practice and the IES’s Land Condition Community will work more closely together in the future.

By creating more opportunities for environmental scientists and construction professionals to exchange expertise and collaborate, the two organisations aim to strengthen sustainability and environmental outcomes across the built environment. This agreement forms part of the IES’s broader commitment to promoting interdisciplinarity across the profession.

Joanne Kwan, Senior Research Manager at CIRIA and an IES Fellow said "This MOU marks the beginning of a closer collaboration between our organisations. Over the coming months, we look forward to a series of exciting initiatives and activities that will advance knowledge and practice in our shared fields."

Ethny Childs, Head of Communities and Partnerships at the IES said: "The IES is committed to supporting an interdisciplinary approach to environmental work. I am excited to see greater collaboration between CIRIA and our Land Condition Community so that we can support environmental and construction professionals to exchange knowledge and develop shared projects".

How can I get involved? 

Stay up to date on our joint work by joining the Land Condition Community, where you will be among the first to hear about progress in this area.

CIRIA also has a number of upcoming opportunities to engage, including their virtual conference on the future of sustainable soil management in construction.