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.