My career: Clare Topping

9th October 2013


Author

IEMA

Clare Topping reveals what inspired her to change her career path and become an energy and sustainability manager

Why did you become an environment professional?

I’ve had an interest in the environment since I was at school, but more recently I was struck by the amount of “stuff” contained in the distribution warehouses near my home and about the impact it has on the planet. I wanted to do something about it and, after being made redundant, I decided to act. So, alongside applying for jobs I thought I could get, I also applied for my dream jobs. My role now is in the latter category.

What was your first environment job?

This is my first official environment job, although I did perform some environment duties for my last employer.

How did you get your role?

While working as an operations support manager, I wanted to give my team a project that wasn’t directly related to their day-to-day roles, so I formed a green team to look at the environmental impact of our site. One of the things we looked at was energy use, which resulted in my joining the company’s steering committee on the carbon reduction commitment (CRC). From there I began to drive energy efficiency across the UK sites and to report on energy management. I believe the changes I instigated and the knowledge I gained were key in my getting my current job.

How have you progressed your environment career?

I went on an ISO 14001 internal auditor course and then took the IEMA Associate certificate. I also became a member of the local environmental business network, which enabled me to network and discuss issues.

What does your current role involve?

My role is as wide ranging as I want to make it. I have responsibility for utility budgets; CRC and sustainability reporting; writing business cases for energy and water efficiency technologies; compliance with legislation; waste management; and biodiversity. The list is endless and changes almost daily.

How has your role changed?

When I first started looking at environment issues, the emphasis was on reporting under the CRC, but that is changing and energy management has become just one of the areas I work across.

What’s the best part of your work?

The variety! From installing energy-saving technologies to improving green spaces, the projects I am involved in mean that every day is different. I also enjoy going around the hospital discussing sustainability with staff.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

Trying to get time with people to move projects forward. This is especially difficult in an acute NHS hospital.

What was the last training/event you attended?

A two-day energy management training course at BRE.

What did you bring back to your job?

A reminder of the importance of good quality data for energy management, and an insight into matrices to help us map out improvements.

What are the most important skills for your role?

Organisation is very important, as there are so many different elements to my role it’s easy to lose track. A willingness to ask questions is also important, as well as evaluation skills – there are a lot of technologies and consultancy services on offer. Persistence, patience and the ability to talk to complete strangers are also key.

Where would like to be in five years’ time?

In a sustainability role that has a higher profile in directing policy and operational decisions.

Where do you see the environment profession going?

I think it will split in future. One part will evolve in a similar way to the quality assurance profession. Meanwhile, the other will become integrated into the normal operations of an organisation, focusing on making it viable and sustainable in the coming decades.

What advice would you give to someone considering entering the profession?

For those in an organisation with an environmental department I would suggest volunteering to work on projects or as a green champion. For those in a place where no one has taken responsibility for environment issues, choose an issue you are interested in and start a project that will have a positive impact on the company. I would then suggest either taking a course, such as the Associate certificate, or a free online course to find out more about the field. Anyone new to the sector will be surprised how many transferable skills they can bring across from a different discipline.

How do you use IEMA’s environmental skills map?

As I aim to apply for full membership, I used it initially to assess where I had gaps in my knowledge and skills. I then looked for projects that would help to fill those gaps.

Career file:

Qualifications:

AIEMA, Diploma in economics, PhD in polymer chemistry, BSc Hons in applied chemistry

Career history:

  • 2012 to now Energy and sustainability manager, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
  • 2011–2012 Operations support manager, Synergy Health
  • 2000–2011 Scheduling manager, Synergy Health
  • 1997–2000 Chief chemist, Lamda Polytech

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

Facing the climate emergency challenge in local government

It’s well recognised that the public sector has the opportunity to work towards a national net-zero landscape that goes well beyond improving on its own performance; it can also influence through procurement and can direct through policy.

19th March 2024

Read more

Dr Julie Riggs issues a call to arms to tackle a modern-day human tragedy

15th March 2024

Read more

Disgraced environmental consultant Peter Lovebrother is another month nearer retirement…

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) strategy is based on optimistic techno-economic assumptions that are now outdated, Carbon Tracker has warned.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK’s new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements could create 15,000 hectares of woodlands, heath, grasslands, and wetlands and absorb 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s latest Public Attitudes Tracker has found broad support for efforts to tackle climate change, although there are significant concerns that bills will rise.

13th March 2024

Read more

Multinational corporations are undermining their net-zero commitments with excessive air travel and no plans to reduce ‘the low hanging fruit’ of carbon footprints, a study by Transport & Environment has found.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s climate adaptation plans are ‘inadequate’ and falling ‘far short’ of what is required, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned today.

13th March 2024

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close