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What is policy and practice?

IEMA's policy and practice network exists to advocate for public policy that will enhance the natural environment and to help our members understand what the changing policy and regulatory landscape means for them.

Policy

Developing positions, statements and reports on key environmental and sustainability issues to influence government policymaking for the good of society.

Practice

Providing technical guidance and support to IEMA members on key policy and regulatory issues that impact them in their workplace.

Policy and Practice Committee

The Policy and Practice Committee is the overarching steering group of all policy and practice networks. It determines the overall direction of IEMA’s policy and practice work and feeds into the IEMA Board.

Partnerships

  • Aldersgate Group
  • All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Environment
  • Broadway Initiative
  • Environmental Policy Forum
  • UK Business and Biodiversity Forum

Aldersgate Group

The Aldersgate Group is a politically impartial, multi-stakeholder alliance championing a prosperous, net zero emissions, environmentally sustainable economy. IEMA is a member of Aldersgate Group.

Their members include some of the largest businesses in the UK with a collective global turnover of over £550bn, as well as leading NGOs, professional institutes and academic institutions.

Their mission is to trigger the change in policy required to address environmental challenges effectively, affordably and in a way that can maximise economic and job creation benefits across the UK. Through careful evidence gathering, policy development and targeted engagement with policymakers, their work demonstrates the clear business case for decarbonising the UK economy, improving resource efficiency and investing in the natural environment. They aim to put forward practical policy solutions to deliver this investment on the ground.

All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Environment

The oldest established all-party group in parliament for environmental issues, the Environment APPG was established to strengthen the influence of parliamentarians on public policy and provide a forum for debate as well as access to specialist information.

The group’s activities span across three broad themes: climate and energy, waste and resources, and natural environment.

The Chair of the group is Trudy Harrison MP, and the secretariat is provided by Green Alliance. Its membership is made up of parliamentarians, businesses and organisations. IEMA is a member of the group.

Broadway Initiative

The Broadway Initiative is an alliance of organisations leading change towards sustainability across all aspects of the UK economy that formed initially around the need for a new environmental regulatory framework after Brexit. IEMA has been involved from the start with Martin Baxter acting as chief policy adviser and overseeing input from IEMA members, and as the organisational home.

The Broadway Initiative's goal is to help 'mainstream' sustainability so that all parts of the UK economy have the right enabling framework to plan, invest and collaborate in meeting net zero emissions and wider climate and environmental goals. Combining leading business organisations with environmental, professional and expert groups, the Broadway Initiative works with UK governments on the necessary legal, policy and administrative frameworks, and develops the plans and partnerships required in the private sector to implement change.

The UK Business Climate Hub Coalition

The UK Business Climate Hub provides net zero advice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. It is a shared endeavour, developed with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the SME Climate Hub and the UK’s main business organisations, energy networks, high street banks and professional bodies.

The coalition is managed by the Broadway Initiative, and expert advice is provided by IEMA, a member of the advisory board.

Environmental Policy Forum

The Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) is a by-invitation-only membership group established to provide the opportunity for collaboration, learning, dialogue and debate amongst professionals across the environmental disciplines. The Forum is currently constituted of 13 member bodies, including IEMA.

The EPF works together to influence environmental policy and its formulation by ensuring that environmental sustainability is high on policy agendas. Through regular meetings, workshops and electronic media, the Forum leads on the production of policy papers in order to influence environmental policy and its formulation.

UK Business and Biodiversity Forum

The UK Business and Biodiversity Forum is a business-to-business hub that supports UK companies in understanding the economic, environmental and social value of biodiversity to their business and integrating biodiversity considerations into their operations and decision-making.

Members of the Forum have access to insights from industry experts and peers about the latest trends, research, policy developments and business opportunities related to biodiversity.

IEMA is a partner to the Forum, drawing on insight and expertise of IEMA members to support Forum activities and connecting the Forum with other relevant initiatives and coalitions to increase impact.

Webinars and events

Continued professional development is a core activity for all IEMA members, and webinars and events are a great way to keep up-to-date in sustainability policy and practice development. Register for upcoming webinars and events to engage live with our expert speakers and watch webinars back in your own time using the buttons below.

Interested in contributing? Email [email protected]

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Want to know more?

If you want to know more about the work of our policy and practice team, please get in touch!

[email protected]