IEMA supports students with EPQ in sustainability or climate change

IEMA is partnering with Pearson, the digital media learning company in an exciting new climate change and sustainability initiative aimed at young people.

The Pearson Edexcel EPQ, generally taken by A-level students, allows learners to independently focus a research project on sustainability or climate change and explore creative solutions to issues like food supply, waste, energy and pollution.

IEMA and Pearson have developed a framework that will guide students through their project research and support them to gain a deeper and broader understanding of key environmental issues, legislation and terminology. Students who complete the Pearson Edexcel EPQ in climate change or sustainability will also receive a free one-year subscription to IEMA, which includes access to a full range of online materials, articles, technical guidance and webinars, as well as information about green jobs and careers through the IEMA Green Careers Hub.

Many young people are concerned about climate change and the environment, and global research carried out by the Lancet in 2021i found that 70 percent of 16–25-year-olds were ‘extremely worried’ or ‘worried’ about climate change.

This EPQ qualification, which attracts UCAS points, will give learners the opportunity to demonstrate to universities and future employers that they have a passion for sustainability and the environment and have developed the skills required for career next steps, including apprenticeships, Further Education and university-level study.

Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO of IEMA said:

“Young people are concerned about climate change and environmental degradation, and our partnership with Pearson Education will give students a valuable opportunity to gain skills so that they can play their part in the transition to a sustainable future.

“By equipping the young people of today with the skills and qualifications they need to drive change in the future, we will ensure an ‘all jobs greener’ approach for tomorrow’s workforce as an active part of the solution to the sustainability challenges we face.”

Students will be able to use the Pearson/IEMA Access framework, built around the IEMA Sustainability Skills Map, to gain a deeper and broader understanding of sustainability and climate change when working on their project research.

Clare Cox, Product Manager, Sustainability & Climate Lead at Pearson said: “The new findings from our Pearson School Report really highlight the passion and action happening in schools across the country. We want to support them on this journey as best as we can, however, we also understand the time pressures on educators today. 

“This is why we have joined forces with brilliant organisations like IEMA -  to help put students at the heart of finding solutions and lessen the load on our teachers. Our EPQ will give our planet's future safeguards the opportunity to independently study and help solve issues ranging from pollution to waste and energy while gaining valuable, life-long skills in the process.”