The Value of IEMA Membership and How to Achieve it
A Membership with IEMA is a demonstration of your commitment to professional development as well as the environment and sustainability industry. It can showcase your desire to learn and progress in the industry to current and future employers, being a major asset to your CV and a sign of professional status. As a result, it is widely desired by environment and sustainability professionals, many of which aim to achieve IEMA Membership for one or more of these reasons.
A variety of different memberships are available depending on your position, knowledge, and experience, so any time is ideal to join IEMA as a member, facilitating the beginning or continuation of your journey with environmental sustainability.
What is IEMA?
IEMA is the Institute for Environmental Management & Assessment and was incorporated in 1998. This professional body promotes sustainable practices across the world, aiming to support professionals in the Environment and Sustainability industries by providing the tools and resources they require to meet real-world needs, as well as the confidence they need to perform to the best of their ability. These resources include: the latest sustainability news items and publications, allowing you to stay up to date on evolving practices and developments; opportunities to network with fellow members and industry professionals; and access to industry leading events and webinars from fellow industry professionals.
Naturally, benefits such as these are a major asset to those taking any step in a career in Environment and Sustainability, be that just beginning your professional development or joining as a seasoned professional.
Is IEMA Membership Worth it?
An IEMA Membership is a worthwhile investment for environment and sustainability professionals. With a membership you can stay up to date on the latest industry developments with frequent news publications, in addition to the member exclusive magazine. Members can also connect with one another through IEMA, providing you with opportunities to network with other experts and make connections. Progressing to Graduate Membership level or higher will also reward you with a post nominal title to signify your status as a member and industry professional.
Membership can also be an essential tool for those looking to develop and further careers in the environment and sustainability industries. As well as the aforementioned benefits, members have access to training resources and webinars which provide the sustainability awareness and knowledge needed to develop a career in environment and sustainability. Consequently, acquiring IEMA Membership can be an excellent step towards professional status within the sustainability industry.
How to Acquire IEMA Membership
You can become a member of IEMA through various methods, though the level of membership you can achieve first may depend on your qualifications and experience. Anyone can apply to join as an affiliate member, earning you the core benefits for a one-time application and first year membership fee of £135.50. IEMA has however partnered with several universities through which, if you are currently on an eligible course, you can acquire free IEMA student membership during your studies.
Additionally, here at Phoenix we offer the IEMA Foundation Certificate, which also provides you with free membership, allowing you to join this globally recognised body for a year at no additional cost. Should you already possess IEMA membership, upon purchase of the course your membership will be extended by 12 months.
IEMA Membership Levels
In total there are 7 different membership levels available with IEMA, meaning that many who join the body can progress through these membership levels as their experience, expertise and career develops. Each is unique and different benefits are offered to each level so that members have the tools they need to seek professional development, regardless of their career stage.
Those at every level receive access to the member’s only magazine, the IEMA network of members and professionals, frequent news updates and publications, as well as events and webinars, all of which provide the knowledge and connections you need to develop your career in environment and sustainability.
Student Membership
Alongside the aforementioned benefits, the student membership can be acquired for free should you be enrolled in an IEMA approved course at a participating University, enabling you to begin considering what the next steps are for your career early on.
Affiliate memberships can otherwise be purchased for a one-time application fee, with the first year of membership included, for £26.75. Membership can be renewed yearly for £26.75.
Affiliate Membership
Acting as a stepping stone into environmental sustainability for those taking their first steps on the career path, or a gateway for those who wish to learn about leading sustainability practices, the affiliate membership provides access to all the core benefits of an IEMA membership.
Affiliate memberships can be purchased for a one-time application fee, with the first year of membership included, for £135.50. Membership can be renewed yearly for £135.50.
When you book the IEMA Foundation Certificate with Phoenix, you'll receive a 12 month IEMA Affiliate membership at no extra cost. After passing the IEMA Foundation Certificate Exams, this membership will be upgraded to Associate level at no additional cost.
Graduate Membership
To acquire a graduate IEMA membership, candidates require proof of graduating from their degree in the last 3 years, as well as requiring their degree to have a significant sustainability component covering at least 3 of the following topics:
Global megatrends and their impact on sustainability
Sustainable Development
Corporate Responsibility
Natural cycles, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact of pollution
Environment and sustainability principles and issues and associated Policy and Legislation
Tools and techniques for assessing and managing environment, social, economic issues and improving sustainability performance of organisations, products and services, or new developments
Graduate membership can be purchased for a one-time application fee, with the first year of membership included, for £135.50. Membership can be renewed yearly for £135.50.
Associate Membership
You can become qualified for an IEMA Associate Membership in two ways. The first is to complete the IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management, which is offered as a course here at Phoenix. The alternative, should you have the breadth of knowledge about environment and sustainability required, is to take the IEMA exam, which is available to book each month directly with IEMA.
Along with the other benefits, an associate membership entitles you to the internationally recognised AIEMA post nominal, as well as a CPD (Continued Professional Development) record so that you can keep track of and pursue effective training and professional development.
Associate membership can be acquired through Phoenix via the Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management, with prices starting from £450.00, application cost included. Membership can be renewed annually for a fee of £145.75.
Practitioner Membership
As with associate level membership, practitioner membership can be acquired in two ways. The first is through the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management, which teaches and tests the wealth of content necessary to pursue this membership. Alternatively, you can take an IEMA exam in addition to completing a written submission, which upon passing would also qualify you for membership.
Practitioner membership provides you with the globally recognised post-nominal PIEMA to demonstrate your expertise in environment and sustainability, in addition to the core benefits and a CPD record.
The cost of a Practitioner Membership depends on the method of application, though membership renewal is an annual cost of £177.00.
Full Membership
An IEMA full membership has two versions, with the version most suitable for you depending on your job role and current level of membership. Should you be responsible for environmental management in your position, IEMA recommends the Full Membership and Chartered Environmentalist dual accreditation, though only applicants who have existing full or fellow IEMA memberships can apply. However, if you instead work in a role primarily concerned with social and economic issues, then IEMA recommends exploring both the dual accreditation and sole full membership so that applicants can make an informed decision on which membership would most benefit them. Regardless of your choice, an online application, written submission, and online interview compose the process for membership approval, with success providing you with the selected version of IEMA full membership.
Full membership provides you with the core IEMA benefits plus the post-nominal MIEMA, a continued professional development record and the opportunity to write and suggest content for the IEMA members-only magazine.
The application fee for either version of the full membership is £472.75 and includes a year of membership, with annual renewal costing £193.75 thereafter.
Fellow Membership
The highest level of IEMA Membership, fellow membership demonstrates your status as an environment and sustainability professional to peers and other industry leaders alike. Achieving fellow membership comes as a result of recognised contributions to sustainable practices, with the application process involving a case study submission and peer review in order to adequately evidence this.
Success in your application rewards you with the renowned post-nominal of FIEMA as evidence of your contributions and achievement, as well as a CPD record, the ability to contribute to the members-only magazine, webinars, and events, plus the rest of the core IEMA benefits.
Progression
As outlined in the various memberships, a series of different applications, tests and submissions are required for the higher levels of membership. However, there is also a qualification requirement which you can fulfil through Phoenix via the IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management, which upon successful completion will qualify you for IEMA Associate Membership.
Phoenix also offers the IEMA Sustainability Skills for the Workforce and the IEMA Sustainability Skills for Managers courses, which offer key information on the environment and sustainability as well as the skills you need to apply this knowledge to your role.
If you have any questions, contact the Phoenix team here.