Enviro-Mark Solutions’ Chief Executive Dr Ann Smith named the first New Zealand Fellow of IEMA

Lincoln, 10 April 2019:

Enviro-Mark Solutions is delighted to announce that Chief Executive Dr Ann Smith has been named as the first New Zealand Fellow of IEMA.  

Fellowship to IEMA recognises Dr Smith’s distinguished career commitment to sustainability, and her long-term impact and leadership in the field. The majority of IEMA Fellows are UK or European; that Dr Smith has been recognised as such highlights her world-leading experience.

IEMA is the leading membership organisation for sustainability professionals across the globe. Fellowship to the organisation is considered the highest signifier of professional achievement in the sustainability field. Dr Smith joins an impressive, select list of IEMA Fellows, which includes Mike Barry, Director of Plan A at Marks and Spencer and Tony Rooke, Technical Director at CDP.

Dr Ann Smith says: “During my time in the UK, I worked closely with IEMA and I am delighted that young sustainability professionals in New Zealand have taken the initiative to establish an IEMA chapter here. I am honoured to be nominated to become a Fellow and I look forward to supporting and mentoring the growing group of IEMA members in New Zealand.  I also look forward to contributing to the important role that IEMA plays in developing sustainability practice and practitioners.”

IEMA Fellows are notable for their depth of technical knowledge, alongside their measurable impact as visionary leaders, innovators and influencers.

Applicants to the Fellowship undergo a rigorous assessment process, and must demonstrate how they have shaped the development of a specialist field, inspired collaboration and cooperation to deliver innovative sustainability solutions, and created a living environmental vision.

Enviro-Mark Solutions’ Chair, Dr Paul Reynolds, says this honour is a well-deserved acknowledgement of Dr Smith’s long-standing commitment to making a positive difference to the environment and the atmosphere:

“I am thrilled that Dr Ann Smith’s professional achievements have been recognised by the IEMA.  If New Zealand and the world are to manage the impacts of climate change and keep warming to 1.5°C, we urgently need leaders with Ann’s knowledge, passion, and vision to show us what a low-carbon economy looks like, and how to get there”.

Dr Smith has been Chief Executive of Enviro-Mark Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, for seven years. During her tenure, she has overseen the development and delivery of the carbon and environmental management programmes carboNZero^CertTM, CEMARS® and Enviro-Mark®, which are recognised for their scientific rigour, international best practice and business practicality.

Under her leadership, Enviro-Mark Solutions has guided organisations worldwide to measure over 190 million tonnes of carbon, and achieve an average reduction in carbon emissions of 23% per organisation through its carbon certification programmes.

Prior to her work at Enviro-Mark Solutions, Dr Smith was Professor of Environmental Management for Business and Corporate Sustainability Manager at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. In that role, she led the development of an innovative masters programme in environmental management that was one of the first to become IEMA accredited and continues to turn out sustainability professionals, many of whom are now in influential positions in business and industry across the world.

Ann was inspired to start her environmental career after growing up in South Australia in a city that suffered from industrial pollution. She undertook her PhD in Marine Biology at the University of London focusing on the impact of heavy metals on marine phytoplankton. She then went on to contribute to the Royal Society acid rain programme, undertaking research on the disappearance of phytoplankton from acid lochs in Scotland.

Dr Smith is passionate about enabling businesses to improve their environmental performance to accelerate New Zealand's transition to a sustainable low carbon economy.

Dr Smith says: “We need to significantly increase participation of all sectors, all businesses and all individuals in taking climate action to have the best chance of keeping global warming within a 1.5 to 2°C envelope. Every decision needs to be made through a climate-lens to ensure a positive long-term future that includes achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

ENDS.

For more information contact:

Nadine France
Marketing and Communications Manager
Enviro-Mark Solutions
nadine.france@enviro-mark.com
027 227 3297