IEMA member Tom Yearley receives award for reducing energy, while Professor Martin Bigg, IEMA Fellow and chair of the Institute's strategic advisory council, is chartered environmentalist of the year for 2014.
Tom Yearley, MIEMA CEnv, has become the nation’s “bright spark” after winning the Great Energy Race category in this year’s Observer ethical awards. Yearley, energy officer at the University of Reading, and his partner Delphine Wakes were given a £250 voucher by B&Q and were visited by an energy assessor from the do-it-yourself retailer. They were then given just a few weeks to slash their energy bills and future proof their home. Yeardley and Wakes beat eight other finalists to win the accolade and were presented with £10,000 to spend at B&Q on renewable energy measures.
Meanwhile, Martin Bigg, professor of environmental technology innovation at the University of the West of England (UWE), has been awarded chartered environmentalist of the year by the Society for the Environment.
Receiving his award from Olympic rowing medallist, Sarah Winckless, Bigg said he was delighted to receive the award. “As a passionate advocate of high environmental and sustainability standards, it’s a great honour to receive such a prestigious accolade,” he said.
Bigg has an impressive track record of environmental achievements. He was part of the team that developed the pioneering integrated pollution control (IPC) regime and went on to become head of industry and waste regulation at the Environment Agency before taking up his post at UWE. Bigg is also chair of the Bristol green capital partnership, which led to city’s successful nomination as European green capital for 2015.
Commenting on Bigg’s accolade, Tim Balcon, chief executive at IEMA, said: “This award is a reflection of Martin’s longstanding contribution to the environment and sustainability profession. We’re delighted that his commitment has been recognised by the Society”.
