Engaging with parliamentarians is vital to the ability of CIWEM
to influence policy makers and promote legislation which fosters a
clean, green and sustainable world. Parliamentary Committees and
Groups have a vital role in drafting, revising and evaluating
government policy and therefore CIWEM's active involvement with
these groups is one of the most important areas of our policy work.
In recent years, several committees have produced reports which
have global implications for the environment and CIWEM is
increasing its profile within Parliament by linking to committees,
groups and think tanks.
CIWEM is a member of a number of Parliamentary groups; these
groups bring together Parliamentarians and interested parties to
discuss a particular area of concern. CIWEM is also forging
ongoing links with political think tanks and lobbying organisations
as part of a long term aim to become more involved in
Parliament.
All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group
CIWEM has recently co-hosted a number of meetings with the
All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group. These events
include Climate Change Adaptation in conjunction with Practical
Action, Global Water Security and Climate Variability: A Changing
Dynamic, and Water Policy and Agriculture in a Changing Climate,
the presentations of which can be found in the documents tab.
CIWEM is also an active member of the All Party
Parliamentary Biodiversity Group.
CIWEM Parliamentary Function
The CIWEM Parliamentary Reception is held annually and provides
the opportunity for high level networking amongst CIWEM members,
trustees, supporters, MP's and peers.
The 2011 function was sponsored by the NERC Water Security
Knowledge Exchange Programme and hosted by Shadow Food and Farming
Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MP.
The highlight of the evening was the acceptance of the
'Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year Award' by Parliamentary
Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard
Benyon MP on behalf of Lord Redesdale. CIWEM chose to
recognise Lord Redesdale's illustrious career campaigning on
environmental issues in the House of Lords and elsewhere, but most
notably in his capacity acting as the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson
for Overseas Development, International Development, Energy, and
Agriculture, as well as his numerous committee positions, including
Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group.
Outside Parliament, Lord Redesdale also finds time to Chair
Cranberry, a company specialising in the production of the most
environmentally-friendly PC in the world, as well as being Chair of
the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership, and Chairman of the
Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association.
2010 Function
In 2010, the reception kindly sponsored by Franklin Hodge and
Mott MacDonald.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of
the Parliamentarian of the Year Award 2010. The award
was presented by Lord Chris Smith of
Finsbury to Caroline Lucas MP to recognise
Caroline's long and illustrious parliamentary career as a
passionate champion of the environment, having spent 11 years as an
MEP and leading the Green Party since 2008. Since Caroline's
victory in the 2010 election she has pressured the government to
ensure green promises are converted into policy on issues such as
the renewable heat incentive and pushing for a Green New Deal.
CIWEM briefing on changes to Non-Departmental Public
Bodies
Following the Government's announcement (October 14th 2010)
on cuts to Non-departmental public bodies, CIWEM has produced a briefing on the
changes that will affect the environment sector.
CIWEM 'Buddying' Scheme
Following the 2010 election, CIWEM launched a 'Buddying' Scheme
which pairs MP's/their constituent office with a CIWEM member
(ideally locally). This partnership will allow the MP to have
a local contact for regional environmental issues; it will also
allow CIWEM to build a relationship with an interested MP.
CIWEM head office will maintain close contact with those members on
the scheme and offer technical support.
Other benefits to MP's include briefing material for debates, PQ's
etc, invitations to CIWEM events. Both MP's and their
'buddy's' will be invited to CIWEM's Annual Parliamentary Reception
held in November (TBC).
The structure of this relationship will be done on an individual
basis and shouldn't be a constraint on member's time.
If you would like to take part please email a short, one page
CV/biog including full contact details (including home address) to
Joanna Cooper, Policy
Officer.
Manifesto 2009
CIWEM's publication Fitting the Bill: A
Manifesto for Environmental Action sets out the
Institution's policies for the next five years to help mitigate and
adapt to climate change and other serious environmental threats.
The Manifesto includes calls for the creation of a low carbon
society, a national programme to retrofit appropriate water and
energy saving technologies into the existing housing stock, an end
to new airport capacity and environmentally damaging subsidies for
the aviation industry and the introduction of a mechanism to halt
deforestation globally.
The Manifesto aims to assist and inform legislators and decision
makers over the coming parliamentary term identifying five areas
requiring urgent action. CIWEM has drawn upon its expertise and
experience and recommends pragmatic, achievable responses. For
further information, please contact Joanna Cooper, Policy
Officer.
For our other networking and liaison work please see the
Consultation page (link in the panel on the right)
For further information on CIWEM's work in Parliament please
contact Joanna Cooper.
