Member Pledges

Lead by example: make a pledge for climate and nature

Pledge for climate and nature

Ecologists and environmental managers dedicate their careers to protecting and restoring nature, but there are still areas we can all go further in reducing our own operational impacts (for example through less travel and use of single-use materials) and working collaboratively with other sectors to find shared solutions.

The latest IPCC report issued the strongest call to action to date. We are not currently on track to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius. But we can get there with rapid and deep emission reductions in all sectors, including our own. It is also becoming widely acknowledged that the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis are inextricably linked and cannot be addressed in isolation. That is why we have launched the Action 2030 pledge for climate and nature.

We urge all members to lead the way and commit yourselves to action over the next year, and every year after that until we reverse the trends we see today. And if you are already taking action – make it official and submit a pledge for climate and nature so we can showcase your commitment as part of this collective effort.

The pledges below are just a selection of the many ways you can increase your impact even further and show what you want to champion not only within your team, but also to your employers, clients and communities. Some of these pledges may also inspire change in your personal lives – we encourage action at every level!

Please select one or more of the pledges below, or create your own, and submit with your name so we can list you and your pledge on our website. Thank you.

Submit your CIEEM Member Action Pledge here

Pledges

As an Ecologist or Environmental Manager at the forefront of addressing the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, I commit to doing the following to help us become Nature Positive and Net-Zero by 2030:

Carbon

  • Record a baseline carbon footprint and develop a Carbon Reduction Plan to reach net zero by 2030, either as an individual/household or working with my organisation/team. NB: a Carbon Reduction Plan can be as simple as listing the actions you might take to reduce energy and material use over the next few years with goal dates for achieving them.
  • Develop a scheme, with targets and a timescale, to encourage use of sustainable transport options for work and reduce transport use or, if you do not manage this area in your organisation, encourage my employer to develop a scheme.
  • Support carbon reduction/certified offsetting projects that utilise the full suite of carbon-rich habitats, created and restored in areas that are suited to their edaphic and climatic requirements and which simultaneously restore biodiversity. Record the hectares of which habitat you have supported. How many tonnes of carbon per hectare, per year is this expected to sequester?[2]

Biodiversity

  • Ensure when creating or restoring habitats that I/my team minimise carbon losses and maximise carbon gains whilst delivering biodiversity benefits. Record the hectares of different habitats I have supported.
  • Ensure when creating or restoring diverse habitats that other ecosystem services benefit as far as possible. Record effective outcomes in terms of hectares and specific ecosystem services, for example by using an Environmental Net Gain or natural capital approach.

Waste and Resources

  • Create a waste and/or resource use reduction plan, with targets and a timescale, for myself or in collaboration with my organisation to reduce the volume of waste to landfill and water/energy use. NB: similar to a Carbon Reduction Plan, this can be as simple as listing the small actions you might take to reduce waste over the next few years with goal dates for achieving them. 

Influencing, Sharing and Learning

  • Work with stakeholders and others to develop ideas and recognise strengths in their areas of influence, to encourage them to take action to protect/enhance biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and positively benefit wider ecosystem services.[3]
  • Undertake a local project/action to raise the profile of the inter-related nature of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, for example by engaging with your MP/Local Authority, or supporting a local nature partnership.

Creating Your Own Action Plan

It may be that you want to focus on one action that will kickstart your journey e.g. reducing single-use plastic use, or cycling to work 2 days per week. Here you can create your own pledge for climate and nature focusing on actions that suit you. We are always looking for fresh perspectives on steps we can take to address the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. Please submit your action at the link below.

Submit your CIEEM Member Action Pledge here

We will showcase your pledges on our Action 2030 webpage and create a report highlighting the commitments made. You can see those already pledged here!

It is important that these commitments are followed by action – and we would love to hear about it! If you have taken steps as part of your pledge, let us know at policy@cieem.net and we can share it to inspire others.

Member Pledge Resources

Carbon

Biodiversity and ecosystem services

Transformative change and eco-anxiety 

Footnotes

[1] Towards a sustainable future: transformative change and post-COVID-19 priorities (EASAC – Science Advice for the Benefit of Europe, 2020)

[2] This pledge may relate to when you are offsetting your unavoidable emissions (we have set out some principles for selecting carbon offset projects in our Carbon Reduction Plan) or in projects you are involved in implementing as part of your work.

[3] This might include professionals from other sectors, friends, family or your wider network!