Ministerial appreciation for 20 years of invaluable Chartered Environmentalists
Marking 20 years of the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registration, Mary Creagh CBE MP expresses her gratitude for the invaluable contributions of Chartered Environmentalists.
The year 2024 is a 20-year milestone since the first CEnv certificates were signed, with a CEnv community now surpassing 8,000 professionals including members of CIEEM.
SocEnv was launched – in partnership with eight founding bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management – in 2002 to champion competence in environmental practices across sectors. The first objective was to create a chartered designation to professionalise this work – and so, the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) professional registration was born in 2004 via a Royal Charter.
Since then, those with proven competence in the environmental aspects of their work have worn the CEnv badge with pride – further influencing decisions, applying good practices, advising policy, and much more. These rounded, up to date, dedicated professionals are valued by many – including the UK Government.
A letter of support for professionalism
In a letter to SocEnv, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Nature, Mary Creagh CBE MP, said:
“I want to express my appreciation for the invaluable contributions of Chartered Environmentalists across the UK, over the hugely impressive 20 years of the Society, its Royal Charter, and the distinguished CEnv professional registration. Your collective expertise, dedication, and innovative approaches are at the heart of efforts to tackle the environmental and wider societal challenges we face today.
Your collective work is vital in ensuring that our natural environment is protected, enhanced and managed sustainably, while developing green skills, creating quality jobs and supporting communities and businesses to ensure that environmental benefits are shared equitably.”
Mary then outlined her eagerness to work with, and learn from, CEnv professionals to collectively tackle the multitude of challenges we face:
“I look forward to working with the Society and to drawing on the expertise and support of innumerable Chartered Environmentalists as we pursue shared goals to achieve net zero, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, drive resource efficiency and sustainable food production, and build resilient communities in the face of climate change.”
CEnv professionals today
The first cohort of 65 officially received their CEnv certificates on 20 September 2004. They established the global community peer recognised as up to date, competent environmental professionals that’s still growing today – now over 8,000 strong and leading the way towards a sustainable future.
Reflecting on 20 years of CEnv registration, SocEnv Chief Executive, Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv FIMMM CMgr, said:
“Ministerial support for environmental professionals and the superb work that they do can only be a good thing – especially if given increased opportunity influence policy and decision making. I have no doubt that the CEnv registration – and, more recently, REnvP and REnvTech – has amplified influence, trust, commitment, and change.
We share a vision with our registrants and partners for a sustainable future, which we are yet to achieve. So, if you are thinking about becoming a CEnv, leading the way, and playing your part, if not now, when?”