Policy delivery is the environmental challenge of the next decade. But too often, implementation is overlooked or treated as something to think about later. The Enviornmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) at the IES has published Environmental Implementation: A Guide for Local Authorities, to provide local teams with a step by step guide for local teams on how to deliver change, and make it stick.

What does the guide include?

The guide sets out:

• The Explore, Prepare, Deliver and Sustain implementation process
• Key barriers and enablers that local teams face when implementing environmental policy, and strategies for overcoming them
• Practical resources including an example implementation plan, master list of implementation strategies and master implementation checklist

How was the guide produced?

The guidance has been produced by the Institution of Environmental Sciences’ Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC). EPIC is free to join for all IES members and environmental professionals working in local authorities.

The development of the guidance has been overseen by EPIC's Implementation Science working group, which includes academics, implementation and evaluation experts, and practitioners. The guide is novel in its use of implementation science, which is often applied in healthcare and education. EPIC is grateful for the support of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) in developing this guide, which draws on aspects of the EEF's A Schools Guide to Implementation.

Ellie Savage, lead author of the guidance, said:

“We are pleased to be launching EPIC’s guidance on Environmental Implementation today, that sets out an evidence-informed implementation process for local authorities delivering crucial action in areas such as air quality, nature recovery, noise pollution and contaminated land. We hope that this acts as a practical resource that helps delivery teams navigate the complexities and uncertainties involved in  environmental policy implementation."

What next?

• Read the guide
• Find out more about the Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC)
• If you support EPIC's work, consider joining the IES or becoming an affiliate
• For more information about the guide or EPIC, contact EPIC's Officer Ellie Savage (ellie@the-ies.org)

Banner image: Alastair Johnstone / Climate Visuals