18 March 2026
Three ISEP volunteers speak to Chris Seekings about their wide-ranging work raising the profile of the Institute and advancing the sustainability and environmental profession worldwide.
Whether advising government policy guidance or mentoring the next generation of sustainability professionals, ISEP’s vast breadth of work would not be possible without its team of passionate and committed volunteers around the world.
Guided by the ethos of “think global, act local”, these more than 400 individuals are crucial for driving the profession forward, going beyond their day jobs to share knowledge and expertise while supporting members worldwide.
Through 25 Global Networks – from Wales to West Africa – ISEP volunteers organise regular networking events, workshops, and seminars, while in seven Policy Networks, including biodiversity and natural capital, circular economy and impact assessment, knowledge sharing hubs ensure the Institute remains at the forefront of the green agenda.
The Fellows Network brings leaders from across the profession together to share expertise, while volunteers for the Diverse Sustainability Initiative (DSI) work hard to build a sector that is diverse and reflective of modern Britain. Below, three ISEP volunteers offer an insight into their work as the Institute’s backbone.
Sara Roberts, member of ISEP’s Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation Steering Committee and Policy and Practice Committee
When did you join the Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation Steering Committee, and what does your volunteering involve?
I've been part of the group since 2022. We network together and engage with policy, writing responses to government consultations, and provide updates to ISEP guidance, such as the greenhouse gas hierarchy. We've done some carbon accounting guidance notes for SMEs, teaching webinars, and spoken at events, so it’s really wide ranging. We try to get together once a year, but because we're all in different industries across the country, and now have some global representation, meeting face to face is difficult, so we meet every month online for an hour. I also represent the group on ISEP’s Policy and Practice Committee.
How has volunteering helped with your personal development and career?
When I joined the community, I was a sustainability manager in the steel industry, now I’m head of ESG. There's a whole host of other sectors in the network, so it's really broadened my horizon, and I can now see how things connect together. Volunteering has also helped expand my network and get support from peers, because it can be lonely being in ESG and sustainability, and sometimes you feel like you're the only one waving the flag. We get exposure to strategic discussions around UK policy, and global perspectives as well with discussions around geopolitics.
Are there any particular highlights or interesting projects you have worked on?
What’s really opened my eyes is research in new areas that aren't necessarily to do with my business, because you are constantly learning new things. Last year, we did a piece on carbon in the ocean, and that's not something that I'd ever looked at, so that was really interesting.
We helped produce a carbon reporting toolkit for SMEs showing what good best practice looks like, and what challenges you might face. That's particularly important because most of us come from big business or small consultancy firms representing big business, so we're hyperaware that we need to look at SMEs and supply chain – I really enjoyed that piece of work. I also love the ISEP Connect conferences, which I spoke at last year. The conference is particularly helpful because of the global reach.
What would you say to ISEP members considering volunteering?
Diversity in a group, whether that's diversity of knowledge, background or experience is so important. You may have a totally different view to somebody like me who's been in the network for four years, and I can learn from you as much as you can learn from me – we can shape the community together. If you're thinking about applying, you already know the answer, so just do it.
Cameron Scott, Chair of ISEP's West Scotland Global Network
Why did you first get involved in the network?
I wanted to build my knowledge base and understanding of the wider industry, as well as my network of contacts. I attended events and started to build a rapport with people, which was great, and I really enjoyed getting out and learning more about environmental and sustainability topics. A committee member position came up, so I applied to become a volunteer, then became Vice Chair around a year later, and then Chair a year after that. I've gone from just attending an event, to a committee member, Vice Chair and now Chair within three years, so it's been a really interesting journey.
What does your volunteer role entail?
We have quarterly steering group meetings which I organise, as well as in-person events, site visits and webinars. We might adopt a certain theme for an event and discuss that, but there's not necessarily a set agenda. We want to encourage people to come along, take an interest, share their experiences, and have conversations about how to think more holistically and apply that to our everyday roles. We also discuss any key updates coming from ISEP, particularly the recent transition from IEMA and how we can support that in the decades to come.
How much time does it take up, and what benefits have you got from volunteering?
I would say around an hour a week on average for the Chair position. I now have better understanding of sustainability topics and jobs, but also a better understanding of people from different walks of life and perspectives on how to tackle big challenges beyond net zero. It's been very beneficial for my confidence; I've become more outgoing and social in terms of speaking with my network and others to encourage people to become involved with ISEP, so it’s been valuable for me on both a personal and professional level.
Have there been any particular highlights, and what have you got planned for this year?
ISEP Deputy CEO Martin Baxter came to a biodiversity net gain presentation that I delivered in Glasgow as part of ISEP Connect, who himself presented an update of the upcoming rebrand at the time. It was really great to see him and interact with the local West of Scotland network. For this year, we are planning several in-person events, including a wind farm site visit in the spring, and later at a turbine recycling centre, as there’s a lot of onshore and offshore wind coming online, so having that end-of-life circular economy consideration is an increasingly important topic.
What would you say to members thinking of volunteering for ISEP?
Just get involved. You can contribute as little or as much as you would like, but any contribution is positive, and it doesn't have to be a huge amount of time. If you have a topic idea, an event suggestion, or just want to learn for your own CPD, then we will welcome you to the group.
Dain Son, DSI Co-Lead for the People of Colour Network
Why did you get involved with the DSI?
I joined almost two years ago when I was taking a short career break from a really difficult job where I had a lot of racially discriminatory experiences. I was looking for a community of other sustainability professions from a global majority background to try and find a sense of belonging and safety among people who understand my experiences. I found the DSI through Google, and after I joined one of the network calls I instantly felt such relief, safety and joy being able to have conversations that I'd struggled to have openly before. I got involved and found a really strong sense of community, which helped me find my voice around conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion. I applied for the co-lead volunteer role when the opportunity came up last year.
What does your volunteer role entail?
We have network meetings once a month, which are an hour, and another monthly meeting for all the volunteers within the DSI where we come together to strategise. I will also have network members reach out to me in a mentoring capacity, where I'll have calls with them to help them review their CV or helping prepare for job interviews.
For me, being a volunteer means being a voice and a role model for other People of Colour working in the sustainability profession and ISEP members to create a safe space for them to come together to share any challenges or frustrations they have that are specific them. Our mission and passion is to demand more diversity within the profession and in senior positions.
How difficult are the conversations you have in the network?
We try to find a good balance for our members to share their experiences, while also holding a space for the positivity and joy of being a Person of Colour. Around the festive holidays, for example, we almost always go into conversations around different cultural foods that we love and enjoy from our ethnic, cultural or religious backgrounds, which always end up being so fun and positive. We try to create a space for both the darkness and the lightness.
How has being an ISEP volunteer helped you?
It’s really helped me realise that my day job isn't everything. Through the DSI, I’ve found that there are so many other ways for me to support others. It’s helped me realise the potential I have to use my energy for a really important topic.
Have there been any particular highlights?
During the anti-immigrant protests in 2024, ISEP CEO Sarah Mukherjee held an impromptu meeting with network members for everyone to share how they were feeling. I had been really struggling mentally and felt isolated, so being able to join that call and realise I'm not alone made me feel so grateful and inspired by Sarah, who gave everyone the time to speak.
What would you say to individuals looking to volunteer their time to the DSI?
Climate change and sustainability issues are what we're all working towards fighting. They affect all of us, and disproportionately affect marginalised communities. That's why I find the DSI work so important. I would encourage as many People of Colour within ISEP to volunteer with the DSI and use the voice and power that they have.
Volunteer recruitment takes place throughout the year, as and when opportunities arise across our different volunteer groups. If you are interested in supporting, please keep an eye open for announcements in ISEP newsletters or via the current vacancies page: ISEP - Current vacancies
Chris Seekings is the Deputy Editor of ISEP’s Transform magazine, which is published biomonthly for ISEP members. Chris’s role involves writing sustainability-related news, features and interviews, as well as helping to plan and manage the magazine’s other day-to-day activities.
