ISEP takes a fresh approach to impact assessment

Impact assessment (IA) is a core part of ISEP's role as a professional body. However, as ISEP has expanded to cover a broader sustainability agenda, there was a risk that IA would lose some of its profile.

To address this, ISEP and the IA Steering Group have been developing a strategy to ensure we meet the needs of IA practitioners and respond effectively to challenges within the sector.

We wanted to find out what you think are the most important issues for IA professionals. We embarked on roadshow events around the country, held an interactive webinar and sought feedback via an online survey. ISEP members have a huge breadth and depth of knowledge about IA; the feedback's major points were as follows:

• ISEP needs to set out a bold and ambitious vision for IA
• ISEP should deliver this through collaboration with others outside the organisation and be more explicit about what we are seeking to achieve and how we will achieve it
• ISEP should do more IA-related activities and prioritise communication with, and between, members
• ISEP should raise the profile of, and look for improvements to, the EIA QMark scheme.
• ISEP should review whether membership grades and specialist registers could work better for IA professionals.

ISEP and the IA Steering Group have met to discuss feedback and refine the strategy; we will be able to provide a more fulsome report in the next Transform. Finally, we would like to draw your attention to the article on cumulative effects assessment in EIA that appears in the online edition of Transform – read it at bit.ly/EIA_CallToArms

By Spencer Clubb, ISEP head of policy and practice, and Peter George, ISEP Impact Assessment Network Steering Group Chair

Image credit: iStock