The IES is proud to endorse the Discover Antarctica Short Course and the Antarctic Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Short Course, two comprehensive half-day programmes designed for organisations and individuals seeking up-to-date knowledge on the Antarctic environment.

Antarctic EIA Short Course is designed for those wishing to enhance their knowledge of the EIA process and methodology with best practice, case studies and up-to-date information, with a focus on cumulative impact assessment. This short course is designed for professionals and organisations involved in environmental impact assessments for Antarctic projects and activities, at all levels.

Course Content

• Cumulative Impact Assessment Best Practices: Understand the definition and types of cumulative impacts and best practice methodologies which can be applied to Antarctic projects and activities.
• Environmental Assessment Methodology and Guidelines: Gain insights into best practices for assessing the significance of environmental impacts, using case studies and proven methodologies to ensure thorough and transparent assessments. ​
• EIA Screening Process in Antarctica: Learn how to screen projects or activities to determine whether they require a Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE) or Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) in accordance with the Antarctic Protocol.

Discover Antarctica Short Course is designed for those wishing to gain an understanding or enhance their knowledge about environmental protection, wildlife and climate change in Antarctica with up-to-date and current information. It is open to all and does not require any prior qualifications or Antarctic experience.

Course Content

• Climate change and its impact on Antarctica
• Environmental protection in Antarctica and the Antarctic Treaty
• Wildlife in Antarctica and the threats it faces

Image credit © White Desert

Interested in learning more about the Thames Estuary? Challenge people's misconceptions, understand how the Thames has shaped London’s history, and how the Thames’s fate was shaped by the people living around it. This course shows that, by investing in the recovery of an urban river, it can become a healthy and thriving environment with diverse aquatic habitats and species. 

Participants can expect to learn: fundamentals of marine and estuarine science, and natural history (core knowledge); fish ID, concept of ecosystem services, natural capital, natural flood management, climate response and governance structure (technical knowledge).