We are starting another year and it is at this time that it is good to reflect on our achievements in 2008. The CEnvP Scheme has had a good year with recognition of the program growing and some important milestones achieved. Highlights for the year included the recognition and support of the Scheme by the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett at the EIANZ Annual Conference and the ACCC approval of our CEnvP Trademark. The need for a certification program for environmental practitioners is certainly much better understood by practitioners, government and industry than when the program started in 2004. Establishing a pathway to certification for young and emerging professionals will be a focus for the program in 2009.

Whilst the profession is certainly maturing, it is easy to feel that we continue to move slowly and are even going backwards on key environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity, water management and resource efficiency. Perhaps perversely the recent economic downturn may have some positive impacts on our sector as the economic focus switches to fundamentals such as energy efficiency, waste minimisation and quality of life.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what transpires in 2009 and we hope that the CEnvP program can play a strong role in ensuring competency and ethics are driving improved environmental outcomes in Australia and New Zealand.

We should also take the opportunity to thank all of those who have assisted in delivering the Scheme during 2009, including the CEnvP Board and the CEnvP Assessment Panels. We also need to acknowledge the tremendous efforts and enthusiasm of our Registrar, Wendy Stegman, and our Program Administrator, Melissa Grant.

On behalf of the CEnvP Scheme, I wish you all the best for Xmas period and I hope that the new year is a successful one for you.

Yours sincerely,

Nigel Murphy, CEnvP
Chairperson, Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme

EIANZ Annual Conference 2009 - Coming to the Rescue

The EIANZ Annual Conference, on 30-31 October in Melbourne, was attended by hundreds of delegates from all over Australia and New Zealand. The Day 1 workshops, including the very well attended CEnvP program session run by Chairman Nigel Murphy, had over 150 participants in total and also included such topics as Environmental Ethics, Law, and Education, the EPBC act, Impact Assessment, Ecology, Risk Management, Corporate Sustainability Reports, and the sold-out Climate Change Skills Training. The Panel Sessions on Day 2 saw an impressive group of guest speakers, including Cheryl Batagol from Melbourne Water, Andrew Stock from Origin Energy, Dr Maxine Cooper, the Commissioner for Sustainability and Environment, Prof. Peter Matthews, joint co-founder of the Society for the Environment UK, and was facilitated by Rob Gell of Access Environmental. These panel sessions generated discussion and debate and left participants invigorated and re-energised. The Conference wrapped up with the Gala Dinner and Merit Awards on the Friday evening in the Langham Ballroom. The Merit Awards were presented to all recipients by the Hon. Peter Garrett, Federal Minister for the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

CEnvP of the Year Award 2008

The CEnvP of the Year 2008 Award was presented to Dr Adam Smith of the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority for outstanding contributions to environmental practice, particularly in the last 5 years, including increasing awareness and understanding of Marine Park Management through his contribution to a series of publications. Adam also called upon Government departments and agencies throughout Australia to support the certification initiative as this will lead to improved environmental practice and outcomes in Australia and New Zealand.

The CEnvP Scheme is looking forward to the coming year’s awards. The 2009 awards will be conferred at the EIANZ gala dinner. An announcement will be sent out when applications open later in the year.

Simon Molesworth Award 2008

Another CEnvP, Mr Alan Chenoweth of the SEQ Division was the recipient of the Simon Molesworth Award for outstanding contribution to the development of the EIANZ and the environment profession at the national level.

In making the award, CEnvP Chair, Nigel Murphy, said, "Alan exemplifies a leading practitioner making significant contributions to the Institute and environmental practice through his instrumental role in the establishment of the Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme, leadership role the recent STEP initiative of the Institute to establish a pathway for the training of our emerging environmental professionals and numerous other contributions".

CEnvP Recognised by ACCC

The Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme had a recent success in gaining recognition from the Australian Government as an official Certification scheme.

The ACCC assessed the application for CEnvP to become a Certified Trademark and found "The approved certifiers demonstrate the attributes necessary to competently certify the services in respect of which the Certification Trade Mark is to be registered; The rules governing the use of the Certification Trade Mark would not be to the detriment of the public; and The rules governing the use of the Certification Trade Mark are satisfactory having regard to the principles relating to restrictive trade practices set out in Part IV of the Trade Practices Act 1974."

CEnvP Chair, Nigel Murphy said, "This is a small but important step in gaining recognition from government for the role of standards and certification in the environment profession."

CEnvP Profile - Alexandra Blood

One of the first successful CEnvP applicants in South Australia, Alex has over 15 years of consulting experience, having worked across Australia, in Africa and Asia-Pacific.

Currently a Senior Environmental Consultant with Golder Associates, she was recently appointed National Sustainable Development Manager. Alex works both locally and internationally in environmental and social assessment, approvals and management projects for a range of sectors including oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, government, finance, waste and water. Her particular interests are sustainable development assessment in the resource sector and Equator Principle assessment and implementation at project level.

Alex has provided sustainable development advice both locally and abroad ranging from indicator development, to corporate social policy development and impact assessment frameworks.

CEnvP Profiles are featured in the CEnvP Directory and on the home page. They can be up to 300 words in length and cover your current position, career path and qualifications. They should also briefly address ‘Why you became a CEnvP’ or ‘What do you feel the CEnvP Scheme adds to the environment industry’. You are also welcome to submit a photo. Submit profiles to info@cenvp.org.

Congratulations to the newest CEnvPs!

The June 2008 intake saw the biggest number of applications since 2005, with over 40 environmental professionals from Australia and New Zealand seeking certification.

We now have 225 current CEnvPs. Due to the high number of applications received, the ratification process is still ongoing for the June intake, and we expect to add another 25 CEnvP’s to the already certified applicants in the very near future.

Certified Practitioners and Assessment Panels

Following the close of the next CEnvP intake on 21st December, the next round of Assessment Panels will be convened to evaluate the new applicants during early February. All CEnvPs are qualified for this task and need to make themselves available as potential Assessment Panelists during this time. All CEnvP’s will receive a separate email requesting their assistance, to ensure maximum participation and timely interviewing of candidates. Interview dates will also be advised at this time.

Participation in this important part of the application process not only provides valuable networking and learning opportunities, but also qualifies for CPD units (Category 4 of the CPD Log guidelines: 1 point per hour of interview time, and up to a maximum of 25 points per 2 year period). This is also an excellent opportunity to contribute to the Scheme.

For further information on Assessment Panels, contact Ian Ackland, treasurer@cenvp.org.