International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM)

At ICEM their vision is to ensure ecologically sustainable development, which is development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends. Their goal To help vulnerable countries and communities adapt as they begin to understand the ecological and biodiversity implications of climate change To protect and enhance biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes To ensure that environmental and natural system assets are properly valued To ensure balanced integration of environmental and social concerns with economic goals in development policies and activities To promote equity within and between generations To encourage caution in development decisions when dealing with risk and irreversibility Their service They provide technical advisory services on climate change, biodiversity conservation, water resources, energy and integrated assessments. Climate change modelling: Developing assessments and predictions on the impacts of climate change, based on variable factors and inter-connected sectors. Providing policy recommendations to relevant stakeholders. Environmental impact assessment: Developing and implementing systems for strategic environmental assessment and EIA and in the conduct, piloting and demonstration of specific SEAs and EIAs. Environmental and ecological economics: Pioneering and implementing economic tools and mechanisms which emphasize the biophysical foundations of economies and stress the interdependencies between natural and social systems – including costs and benefit analysis and alternative policies to deal with air pollution, water quality, toxic substances, solid waste, and climate change. Integrated natural resource management: Advising governments on integrated policy, planning, and management of natural resources, especially relating to water and river basins. GIS and spatial analysis: Using geographical information systems and models to identify relationships, analysis impacts and define options for management of natural resources and systems. Protected areas management: Building national systems of protected areas – including policies and institutions, regulations and guidelines, landscape and site planning, management and training. Biodiversity conservation: Supporting countries in implementing the global Convention on the Conservation of Biological Diversity and related international agreements – including through surveys, monitoring, information systems, rehabilitation and management. Community engagement: Building structures, methods and processes to promote community participation and involvement, through action research, community ‘ownership’ and increasing the sustainability of all their projects. Their Approach ICEM is an independent public interest centre that helps governments, private sector and communities define and implement policies for ecologically sustainable development. ICEM works through partnerships drawing strength from collaboration with governments, NGOs and technical institutions. ICEM acts as a catalyst and facilitator in promoting collaboration around shared goals and projects.