Nine months after it was launched, IEMA's campaign, Preparing for the perfect storm: skills for a sustainable economy, is still gaining support from those who recognise the need to bridge the environment and sustainability skills gap.
The campaign was launched in October 2014 with a report outlining the megatrends that threaten the future prosperity of the global economy. The report identified that the way to prepare for this perfect storm of issues is for organisations worldwide to train their workforce so that they have the right environment and sustainability skills.
Currently there is a skills gap in this area as just 13% of organisations claim to be confident they have the necessary environment and sustainability skills to survive as part of a sustainable economy. IEMA believes this needs to change and has launched a call for collaborative action to help bridge the gap.
By May 2015, 38 organisations and two high-profile individuals – former MP Joan Walley and environmental campaigner Jonathon Porritt – had pledged their support. In June, two more organisations signed up. They are:
- Sustain–Live – a Bristol-based sustainable development consultancy, which aims to help its clients to become more sustainable through strategy, practice and innovation.
- KnewRow – a multi-disciplinary management consulting firm, which advises the oil and gas industry as well as government agencies, tourism organisations, and small and medium-size enterprises in Nigeria.
With the addition of Sustain–Live and KnewRow the IEMA campaign now has 42 supporters. Their logos now been added to those of the campaign’s other backers, which include Jaguar Land Rover, WSP, EDF Energy, EY, Skanska, the British Safety Council and HP.
IEMA would like to thank Sustain–Live and KnewRow for their support and looks forward to working with them and the other supporters on further action to bridge the skills gap.
If you or your organisation would like to get involved in the campaign to gain profile and take advantage of upcoming opportunities, visit iema.net/get-involved-0.
