Check out the latest enews, sent 15 July
Keep the momentum of IAIA21 going! If you were inspired by the discussions or have a great idea for a new session, please consider making a proposal for IAIA22. IAIA22, which is being planned as an in-person conference, will offer more than 20 thematic and general streams, so there is something for everyone. Proposals for IAIA22 sessions are invited on any of the topics through 29 July.
IAIA22 (Confidence in Impact Assessment: Policies, Partnerships, and Public Involvement) will take place 4-7 May 2022 in Vancouver, Canada.
IAIA is also accepting proposals for pre-conference training courses to be offered on 2-3 May in Vancouver. Proposals are due 26 July. Complete information and submission instructions are available online.
IAIA22 sponsorship
Interested in increasing your company’s profile at IAIA22 in Vancouver? Consider becoming a conference sponsor. Check out the sponsorship opportunities brochure to learn about the various opportunities and benefits available.
All AGMs will be virtual
The Board of Directors has decided that annual conference attendance is not a prerequisite to participating in IAIA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). To facilitate access to all members, the AGM will no longer be convened in-person – beginning in 2022, it will be a virtual meeting held 1-1/2 to 2 weeks prior to the start of each annual conference.
Award nominations now open
Have a friend or colleague or know of an organization or company that has a project you feel would be a good candidate for an award? Nominate them for one of these 2022 IAIA Awards: Global, Corporate Initiative, Individual, Youth, Institutional, Lifetime, and Regional. Nominations are invited through 21 September 2021.
Call for conference hosts
Are you interested in hosting a future IAIA annual conference in your country? IAIA is now accepting bids to host IAIA24. The Board evaluates many factors including location; proposed theme in relation to the IAIA mission, vision and values; quality of the proposal; and potential financial outcome. Contact Jennifer at IAIA HQ for more information on preparing an effective proposal.
IAIA21: How did it turn out?
IAIA held its first-ever virtual conference in May. With 1201 registrants from 85 countries, it was certainly well-attended, but what did the participants think of that format and the event overall? Did they leave the event with information they can apply to their work? Did they “meet” new people for future collaboration? Click here to find out. (And check out the IAIA21 slide presentations and papers, too!)
IAIA staff working remotely
IAIA staff continue to work remotely to provide uninterrupted member service to the greatest extent possible. Please email if you need to reach us, as we are not in the office to take phone calls.
Announcing Canada’s Net-zero Leaderboard
Canada’s Net-zero Leaderboard, which provides information on climate change commitments made by Canadian companies, was launched on 18 June. By providing a one-stop-shop for information on climate targets, the leaderboard will inspire companies to join the race to net zero. It will also kickstart an important conversation about closing the gap between ambition and action, and about standardizing language for climate targets.
Japanese FasTips available
IAIA is pleased to announce that three new Japanese translations are now available for FasTips: No. 14, “Assessing Significance in Impact Assessment of Projects;” No. 15, “Involuntary Resettlement: Good Practice According to Donor Policies;” and No. 21, “Convention on EIA in a Transboundary Context.” Thank you to Akiko Urago for volunteering the time and expertise to make these translations possible.
The future of wind energy is floating turbines on the ocean
Even this climate-friendly technology could soon evolve into something bigger and better. Almost all the offshore wind turbines operating right now stand atop towers driven into sea beds. As the industry looks to push its turbines into deeper waters, technology is being developed so that wind farming can float.
Food systems offer huge opportunities to cut emissions, study finds
A new global analysis says that greenhouse-gas emissions from food systems have long been systematically underestimated—and points to major opportunities to cut them. It considers emissions linked not just to production of livestock and crops, but from land-use changes at the boundary between farms and natural ecosystems, and from related manufacturing, processing, storage, transport and waste disposal.
Draft UN agreement on biodiversity targets conservation, pollution, finance
United Nations negotiators released a set of proposals to protect nature on 12 July, including a plan to put at least a third of the planet under conservation protection in the next decade, but environmentalists said the draft fell short on ambition.
Every spot of green space counts
An international study of parks and gardens finds even the humble roadside verge plays an important role in the environment and for our health. With 68 percent of the global population set to live in cities by 2050, the study suggests that urban green spaces are critically important for promoting mental and physical wellbeing.
EIANZ: Webinar: 10 years on: how are strategic assessments standing the test of time? 28 July 2021. 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST.
OAIA: Common Goal, Uncommon Pathways. 20-21 October 2021. Toronto, Canada. Online or in-person depending on COVID.
