EAUC supports IEMA's Skills for a Sustainable Economy campaign

15th September 2014

The EAUC has shown its support for a new campaign "Skills for a Sustainable Economy; preparing for the perfect storm," which is being delivered by IEMA.

The campaign aims, for the first time, to shine a light on the transition to a sustainable economy and to catalyse action to address the skills deficit.

The EAUC joins other supporters including Forum for the Future, Knowledge Transfer Network and EDF Energy to link together businesses and government to raise the profile of the issue and collaborate to develop solutions.

One of the major challenges facing society is achieving economic growth in a way that delivers prosperity over the long term. Population growth, increasing demand for natural resources, soaring costs of energy, the impacts of climate change and ecosystem degradation all pose significant challenges to the success of national and global economic growth models.

Making the transition to a sustainable economy will pose risks for businesses, but also presents significant opportunities. Those companies that are ahead of the game, leading the way to embed sustainability into the very core of their strategy and operations, are the ones most likely to succeed in the face of the challenges.

A critical barrier to organisations making the transition is the lack of relevant skills and expertise; ensuring environment and sustainability skills are embedded throughout the organisation is a pre-requisite for all companies being able to gain competitive advantage.

Research carried out by IEMA, due to be published in September, shows that investment in developing organisational capability and skills to address the sustainability challenge is significantly lagging behind other areas.  This needs to change. 

Iain Patton, Chief Executive, Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges says, "Be it in education or in industry, there is a new realisation that we are going to have to think, educate and upskill people in new ways if we are going to solve the complex social, environmental and economic problems we face.  Universities and colleges could not be better placed to ensure future employees and citizens are future-fit.

The EAUC is delighted to work in partnership with IEMA to make available the expertise within our Membership and to learn lessons from other sectors. There is only one planet – we are in this together!"

The EAUC's support for this campaign is part of our wider relationship with IEMA which hopes to create new models for leadership and to create a stronger dialogue between the sector and industry.

Find out more about Skills for a Sustainable Economy; preparing for the perfect storm.