Key contact
Sarah Ridgeon, Policy & Communities of Practice Officer | [email protected]
2024 in environmental policy: our top priorities this UK election year
With a general election taking place in addition to local elections, 2024 will be a significant year in UK environmental policy. In this blog, our Policy and Communities of Practice Officer Sarah Ridgeon MCIPR, reflects on last year’s developments, as well as setting out our 2024 priorities across three key policy areas: green skills, net zero and soil health.
Soils and Stones project
Background to the project
Since 2019, the SocEnv Soils and Stones project has brought together experts from across a diverse range of sectors. These include: regulation, water, construction, land development, resource management, forestry, engineering, and agricultural/land management.
Share a case study
We’re looking for case studies which demonstrate one or more of the “The Ten Principles of Good Soils and Stones Management” in action. Please signpost your members to our Soils and Stones webpage for more information, including the case study template to download and complete.
All case studies received will be considered for inclusion in our upcoming second Soils and Stones report, which will provide a progress update three years on from the publication of our initial report.
Open for new members
Would your members like to contribute to our project and collaborate with other experts?
Ideally volunteers should also hold Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registration, though this isn’t essential. Indeed, involvement could support progression to CEnv registration through your professional body.
If you would like to express interest in getting involved, please get in touch with Sarah via the link below.
Working to address the green skills challenge
In Summer 2023 the Environmental Policy Forum issued a green skills survey.
In 2024 we are working to deliver on the survey recommendations, centred around the following key priorities:
- Investment and incentives (calling on decision-makers to improve entry routes into green jobs, as well as investing in quality training provision).
- Educational outreach (sharing good practice on raising awareness of green jobs to those in education).
To express interest in getting involved in this work, please get in touch with Sarah below.
The Environmental Policy Forum (EPF)
Formed by a selection of professional bodies, the 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. 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 and ensure that environmental sustainability is high on policy agendas.
The EPF is Chaired by Professor Will Pope HonFSE CEnv of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), with the Society for the Environment acting as Forum Secretariat.
Find out more about the EPF, learn who the members are and view submissions:
Supported initiatives
The Broadway Initiative
The Broadway Initiative is a platform for all sectors of the economy and society to work together on the frameworks, plans and partnerships needed to meet net zero emissions and wider environmental goals.
The Society for the Environment is a partner organisation for the Broadway Initiative and a signatory to key policy documents.
Climate Initiatives
SocEnv are proud to one of the founding signatories and supporters of Pledge to Net Zero and the Professional Bodies Climate Action Charter respectively. Both these initiatives are aiding collaboration and helping to turn climate ambitions into tangible action through science-based targets, good practice sharing and thought-leadership.
Find out more about these initiatives via the links below. If your Professional Body would like to get involved in these initiatives, get in touch with Sarah.
