The new Environmental Industries Association (EIA) aims to be the largest environmental trade body in the UK, with over 40 member firms across environmental technology and services sector
The Environmental Industries Association will be formally launched along with its new website at the ESS: Environmental Services & Solution Expo (in the Contamination Expo zone) on the 11th September, NEC Birmingham at 1pm followed by a networking drinks reception at 1.30pm.
The new Environmental Industries Association site will go live at the event.
A secondary launch is also being arranged at the AQE/WWEM Exhibition at the NEC on October 9th and 10th 2024, where EIA is co-chairing the event.
The new environmental association represents the fastest-growing community of large companies and SME’s helping to address the most pressing environmental issues that society faces.
EIA has already established specialist working groups to deal with specific areas:
- Land Remediation and Groundwater
- Climate Change, Air Quality- chaired by Jim Mills, managing director at Scotswolds Ltd
- Environmental Testing and Analysis- chaired by Ken Scally, technical director at Normec DETS
- Sustainable Buildings- chaired by Sunil Shah, managing director of Acclaro Advisory
Other Associate Members include Bruce Woodall and David Eyres, founder and chairman of the Fuel Experts Association respectively.
Driving environmental innovation and campaigning- particularly on air pollution
Jim Mills and Steve Barnes of Gramm Barriers will act as the representatives for Scottish and Welsh members of the EIA respectively.
Jim Mills commented: “In the UK, air pollution presents the largest environmental risk to public health. According to HM Government the annual mortality rate due to anthropogenic sources of air pollution in the UK is between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths and it’s estimated that between 2017 and 2025 the cost to the NHS will be £1.6bn. EIA Members have the technology, skills and expertise to monitor, model and manage air pollution, helping the government to improve air quality for the benefit of the population.
“The EIA sets out to provide a voice, at the highest political level, through lobbying collectively on core environmental and regulatory issues. The association will major on networking across a wide spectrum, meeting clients, regulators and Government officials on all relevant issues.
“It is a crucial time for the sector with many realising that environmental issues did not have sufficient detail within the summer’s General Election and within subsequent statements made by the Government. The public and wider industry are also realising that EVs are not the sole answer to everything, and EIA firmly believes in greater investment in Hydrogen and support for clean fuels, such as HVO and biodiesel in the future.”
The EIA promises to be “run by members, for the benefit of members”
The new association aims to be a clear voice for the sector and holding government to account.
The EIA will be initially chaired by Peter Atchison of PA Geo, who has a wide experience on representing the environmental industry through former and existing roles.
Peter Atchison said “I am very excited to join fellow business leaders in forming this new Trade Association which aims to support our members with lobbying around the key regulatory and policy issues impacting on the environmental and technology sector. My role is simple, to help grow and direct the Association and become a major voice of the sector to the Government and our external stakeholders.
“We are encouraging Local Councils and public bodies to join EIA for free. This is very much a team effort, directed by Members for the benefit of members.”
Among new members, and those the EIA is hoping to attract as it grows, are technology companies, environmental consultancies, land remediation contractors, laboratories and analysts, legal firms, sustainability specialists, waste and recycling industries, planning consultants, water and energy firms, blue-chips, academia, housing companies, start-ups, students and local authorities.
Those interested in joining the EIA can call 07562 138034 or email Membership@eiassociation.co.uk to find out more.
