Working in Partnership - In this issue - Bulletin of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management - CIEEM
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Bulletin of the Chartered
Institute of Ecology
and Environmental
Management
Issue 94 | December 2016
Working in
Partnership
In this issue
Cross-Sector Partnerships: Partnerships in Action Brexit Legal Update
Setting Up For Success
Welcome Information
From Our Chief Executive Officer In Practice No. 94
December 2016
Welcome to the latest edition of In Practice, where you will find a wide range of ISSN 1754-4882
interesting articles on Working in Partnership. The theme is very appropriate
given that, as our 25th year draws to a close, our Institute’s first 25 years has
Editor
Dr Gillian Kerby (gillkerby@cieem.net)
benefitted greatly from partnership working with other professional bodies,
learned societies and other fora. Internal contributions
Working in partnership is not always as easy as it sounds. It involves trust, coordinator
compromise, understanding your partner’s priorities and ways of working and, Mr Jason Reeves (jasonreeves@cieem.net)
above all, a shared commitment to getting things done and resolving issues.
Some of the articles in this issue describe great examples of partnership working
Editorial Board
Mr Jonathan Barnes, Dr Kate Bayley,
and offer some useful learning points.
Dr Andrew Cherrill, Mr Dominic Coath,
But back to our 25th anniversary. Such milestones are always worth celebrating Mr Neil Harwood, Dr William Latimer,
and this autumn we held a series of Anniversary Celebration Lectures to reflect Dr Caroline McParland, Mrs Kate Morris,
on the health of ecological and environmental management in the UK and Mr Paul Rooney, Mr Paul Scott,
Ireland. As you can imagine, the continuing debate post-Brexit referendum Miss Katrena Stanhope, Mr Darren Towers
provided much food for thought and material for some of the speakers.
Opinions expressed by contributors
We kicked off in Ireland where well known author and environmental journalist to In Practice are those of the authors
Paddy Woodworth spoke passionately about ‘Novel Ecosystems: New Normal and not necessarily supported by the
or Red Herring?’ to an audience of practitioners, decision-makers and other Institute. Readers should seek appropriate
stakeholders at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. professional guidance relevant to their
individual circumstances before following
Next up was Professor Sir John Lawton who addressed an enthusiastic gathering
any advice provided herein.
in London. Sir John reflected on the interesting times in which we currently
find ourselves, the wisdom (or otherwise) of recent Government decisions with Information on advertising, including
regards to the environment and the absurdity of spending money on dealing with rates and deadlines, can be found at
the consequences of environmental mismanagement rather than on prevention www.cieem.net/ip-advertising. The
(using air quality and human health as an example). He talked about the Institute does not accept responsibility for
challenges and opportunities in a post-Brexit world and the role of the profession advertising content or policy of advertisers,
in shaping that future. nor does the placement of advertisements
within In Practice imply support for
Jane Davidson, Director of INSPIRE at the University of Wales Trinity St David, led
companies, individuals or their products or
the Welsh celebrations. As one of the architects of the innovative Well-being of
services advertised herein.
Future Generations in Wales legislation, Jane was well placed to talk about the
important role the profession must play in achieving the vision of such ground- CIEEM Office
breaking legislation. 43 Southgate Street, Winchester,
We ended our celebrations in Scotland, where former MSP and current President Hampshire, SO23 9EH, UK
of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Robin Harper, spoke at Edinburgh City Chambers.
T: 01962 868626
His lecture focused on (fittingly for this edition of In Practice) partnerships and
how organisations need to work together, including those we might disagree E: enquiries@cieem.net
with. W: www.cieem.net
In an earlier edition of In Practice we featured the reflections of the four CIEEM In Practice is printed on paper using
Vice Presidents on the Institute’s first 25 years – our achievements and the 100% post-consumer, de-inked waste.
challenges and opportunities ahead. Perhaps my favourite 25th anniversary This is manufactured by an ISO14001
initiative, though, has been the articles written by Graduate members. Their and EMAS accredited company.
thoughts for the future, their optimism for the profession they have recently
© Chartered Institute of Ecology and
joined, their awareness of the issues that will influence their work and their
Environmental Management
aspirations for CIEEM are, to my mind, thoughtful and inspiring.
Front cover image: Lichens are the epitome
Coming back to the theme of this edition of In Practice – the need for us to work
of working in partnership; a symbiotic
in partnership with others in order to achieve our goals – there is no excuse now!
relationship between algae and fungi
Sally Hayns CEcol MCIEEM allowing them to survive in places where
Chief Executive Officer neither could do so individually.
2 Issue 94 | December 2016
Contents
Cross-Sector Partnerships: The Mountains & The People
Setting Up For Success – Partnership in Practice
PG 08 Darren Towers PG 27 Tom Wallace
Fingringhoe Wick Managed
Realignment – Successful Partnership
Partnerships in Action Between the Essex Wildlife Trust and
– Europe and Beyond the Environment Agency
PG 13 Debbie Bartlett PG 32 Andrew May and Merle Leeds
'21276&$/( 6$)(7
Chartered Institute News and Activities
Research into Bat
CIEEM and Brexit Mitigation Effectiveness Principles for Achieving Net
The CIEEM Secretariat and Brexit Gain for Biodiversity
CIEEM is hoping to collaborate with the
Working Groups have been incredibly CIEEM has been working with IEMA
University of Exeter in a twelve-month
busy over the last few months. The and CIRIA on developing ten ‘high
study into the effectiveness of day-to-day
Working Groups have set out their level’ principles for achieving net gain
bat mitigation solutions used across the
concerns and issues for each of their for biodiversity through development
UK and Ireland. With support from the
seven topic areas. These have since projects. The principles have been
statutory nature conservation bodies in
been used as the starting point for developed in consultation with other
the UK, the Bat Conservation Trust and
further discussion at a high level organisations and statutory nature
Bat Conservation Ireland, we hope to
meeting with Patrons, Past Presidents conservation bodies in the UK.
produce evidence of effectiveness that
and other senior members in October. Following their launch earlier this
can then be used to guide mitigation
The seven Working Groups have month (see www.cieem.net/news) the
proposals with more realistic prospects of
now been reformed as five Task partners are now continuing to work on
successful outcomes.
Groups (Marine Environment and developing more detailed guidance on
Resources; Habitats and Species; Land We are currently fundraising for the how to achieve net positive by putting
Management and Funding; Air Quality; matched funding required for this project the principles into practice. CIRIA is
and Water Resources) and have started and urgently need sponsors. We require currently seeking sponsors to help fund
work on their immediate priorities and another £10,000 to meet our target. If the development of the guidance so if
activities. Further work also continues your company can help and is interested you or your company are interested in
in collaboration with external partners, in co-sponsoring the project and the being involved please contact Michael
and the CIEEM Brexit webpage subsequent guidance document please Small at CIRIA (enquiries@ciria.org).
(www.cieem.net/eu-referendum) contact enquiries@cieem.net.
continues to be updated as a resource
for both members and the public. CIEEM Autumn
Skills Gaps Conference 2016
If you would like to be involved in
Thank you to all those who took part Following the CIEEM Autumn Conference
CIEEM’s Brexit activities please
in the skills gap survey in the summer. 2017 on the theme of Skills for the Future,
contact policy@cieem.net.
The data provided has been analysed we have now uploaded the presentations to
and the findings were discussed at the the CIEEM website.
CIEEM Awards 2017 Autumn Conference in Nottingham In addition, there are videos of our after
Open for Entries last month. A report on the findings dinner speaker, Merrick Denton-Thompson
We are pleased to launch the 2017 will be published in the March OBE, and the conference debate on what the
CIEEM Awards; celebrating professional issue of In Practice. profession could look like in 10 years’ time.
achievement in ecology and environmental The CIEEM AGM was also held during
management. All Awards categories are the conference, with the following
now open for entry.
Careers Toolkit election results:
Work has begun on developing a suite - Tim Hounsome and Paul Wilkinson
Each year, CIEEM presents a series of
of careers materials and activities, were elected to the Governing Board.
Awards with an overall aim to celebrate
downloadable from the website, for - Tom Gray and Pamela Nolan were
the achievements of both the profession
CIEEM members to use in secondary re-elected to the Advisory Forum.
and of individual practitioners, and to raise
schools. We know that some members
the profile of CIEEM by highlighting our - Paul L. Smith was elected to the
already give careers talks in schools, or Advisory Forum.
role in championing the importance and
take part in STEM activities, and we are
practice of ecology. At the AGM, thanks were given to Richard
keen to encourage more members to be
Our awards are split into several different Handley (stepping down from the Governing
ambassadors for the profession.
categories which honour both organisations Board), Andy Lane and Neil Coombs (both
We hope to make the toolkit available stepping down from the Training, Education
and individuals working within the
from mid-2017 onwards. If you have and Career Development Committee),
ecological and environmental sector.
materials and activities that you are Keith Ross (stepping down as the Chair of
Please do consider putting in an entry willing to share as part of the toolkit then the Membership Admissions Committee),
or making a nomination. Deadlines are please do get in touch with Lexie Munro Peter Beale and Robin Fields (both stepping
staggered through January 2017. (lexiemunro@cieem.net). down from the Membership Admissions
The Awards Lunch 2017 will be held at Committee), and Rob Cooke and Katherine
Drapers’ Hall, London on Wednesday Kennedy (both stepping down from the
21st June 2017. Professional Standards Committee).
More information: http://www.cieem.net/2016
www.cieem.net/cieem-awards-2017 -autumn-conference-
4 Issue 94 | December 2016
CIEEM Conferences 2017
Date Title Location
18 January 2017 Scottish Section Conference 2017 – Creating Sustainable Cities using an Ecosystem Services Approach Perth
8-9 February 2017 Welsh Section Conference 2017 – Building Bridges between Farming and Nature: Grazing is Amazing Llandudno
22 March 2017 Spring Conference 2017 – Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Future Cities London
4 July 2017 Summer Conference 2017 – Ecological Assessment in the Marine Environment England South Coast
21-22 November 2017 Autumn Conference 2017 – Habitat Assessment: Mitigation, Monitoring and Effectiveness Manchester
University of Derby Becky Price, a final year BSc Countryside which is good promotion externally for
Receives Accreditation and Environmental Management CIEEM and for our accredited course.
for Two Degree Courses student, commented: Harper Adams University has also been
The University of Derby has been accredited “It’s very fulfilling enrolling onto an presented with the WhatUni Student
by CIEEM for two of its degree courses: BSc accredited degree, because you know Choice Awards winner of the year as well
(Hons) Zoology and BSc (Hons) Biology. it’s been recognised for its breadth as winning the awards for student support
Find out more about CIEEM accredited of ecological and environmental and job prospects. The latter award for job
degrees at: www.cieem.net/cieem- concepts. The course delivers these prospects is very important to us as all our
accredited-degrees through a combination of field trips students undertake a year’s work placement
and academic lectures, providing in their sector, which is a major contributing
you with the essential knowledge factor for our graduate employment of over
and skills needed for the future. 90%. The very applied nature of our courses
The amalgamation of theory combined with close links with industry
and practice ensures you are well- through our placement students allows a
equipped for a career in ecology huge range of employment possibilities for
and environmental management.“ all our students.
This year CIEEM kindly sponsored the Nicky Hunter MCIEEM
CIEEM logo on all our students course tops and Andy Cherrill MCIEEM
CIEEM Vice President (England) Lisa Kerslake
and Debbie Alston from University of Derby
Degree Accreditation at Harper
Adams University
In 2013 Harper Adams University in
Shropshire was one of the first four
universities to be awarded CIEEM
accreditation for their Countryside and
Environmental Management course.
As a leading provider for courses in
Harper Adams students
the land-based sector, we have been
extremely proud to be involved with In Practice themes 2017
both the development work through the
CIEEM Training, Education and Career Edition Theme Submission deadline
Development Committee (TECDC) and March 2017 Rewilding and Species Reintroductions 28 November 2016
also the pilot process for accreditation of June 2017 One Year On from the EU Referendum 27 February 2017
university degrees. We are now finding
September 2017 Grassland Ecology and Grazing 29 May 2017
more applicants to our courses are
mentioning that the CIEEM accreditation December 2017 Nature Conservation Approaches with 28 August 2017
does attract them as it reinforces our links Reduced Resources
with the environmental industry in which If you would like to contribute an article to one of these editions please contact the Editor at
they would like to make their careers. gillkerby@cieem.net. Contributions are welcomed from both members and non-members.
Issue 94 | December 2016 5
News in Brief
A Global Register of
New Natural England Competences for Protected Defra publishes single
Protected Species Area Practitioners departmental plan 2015-2020
Licencing Policies Defra’s single departmental plan
This IUCN publication is a comprehensive
Natural England is changing the way directory of and user guide to the skills, describes the objectives of the
it issues licences to provide significant knowledge and personal qualities required department for 2015-2020.
benefits for both wildlife and licence by managers, staff and stewards of https://www.gov.uk/government/
applicants. Four innovative new policies protected and other conserved areas. publications/defra-single-departmental-
have been created that will smooth plan-2015-to-2020
https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/
the process for businesses that require
files/documents/PATRS-002.pdf
a wildlife licence for their project,
saving them time and money. In Recent Select Committee
return, they will fund investment in the National Trust calls for evidence sessions on Brexit
creation and enhancement of wildlife overhaul of farming and the Natural Environment
habitat, providing greater security for The National Trust has set out six There have been several recent evidence
populations of protected species such principles that any new system must sessions by Select Committees that will be
as water voles, dormice, bats and deliver for the public: of interest to members and the sector.
great crested newts. Together, the four • The Future of the Natural Environment
1. Public money must only pay for
new policies will encourage planners after the EU Referendum (four sessions)
public goods.
and conservationists to think at a
2. It should be unacceptable to harm • Potential implications of Brexit for
wider, landscape-scale – channelling
nature but easy to help it. fisheries policy (two sessions)
investment into bigger, better, more
joined-up habitat for wildlife. The 3. Nature should be abundant • Work of the Department for
changes will mean the application of everywhere. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
the law is focused on the measures 4. We need to drive better outcomes • Leaving the EU: implications and
which are most effective at protecting for nature, thinking long-term and opportunities for science and research
populations. More information: on a large scale. • Brexit: Environment and Climate Change
www.cieem.net/news (two sessions)
5. Farmers that deliver the most public
benefit, should get the most. All of the above evidence sessions are
Recent Select Committee 6. We must invest in science, new available to watch on Parliament TV.
evidence session on Brexit technology and new markets that http://www.cieem.net/news/359/recent-
and UK-Irish relations help nature. select-committee-evidence-sessions-on-
This recent evidence session by the https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/news/ brexit-and-the-natural-environment
European Union Select Committee will the-future-of-our-countryside
be of wider interest to members and the Seals avoid wind farms
sector. This session is available to watch on during the noisiest phase
Parliament TV. Natura 2000 conservation:
how can social-science of construction
http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/
research enhance Wind farms are an important
ead0dfd8-68f7-4524-a76c-5e21940322c7
conservation outcomes? component of Europe’s shift towards a
This study reviewed findings on the social greener energy supply, but they could
National Ecosystem aspects of Natura 2000, identifying research potentially have an impact on marine
Approach Toolkit (NEAT) gaps and recommendations for improving ecosystems. This study provides the
The NEAT Tree provides the tools and the network’s implementation across the first measurements of the distribution
experience to build a relationship with EU. The researchers say limited stakeholder of harbour seals in relation to the
nature into decisions in a transparent, participation, negative perceptions of the construction and operation of wind
participatory and evidence-driven network and a lack of consideration of farms, and makes recommendations
way. Not only will these lead to the local context hinder the network’s to minimise any potential harm,
better outcomes, it will allow you to effectiveness. They recommend increasing including breaks in the pile-driving
demonstrate that the principles of the public awareness and compensating phase of construction.
Ecosystem Approach have been built private landowners. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
into your work. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/ integration/research/newsalert/pdf/
http://neat.ecosystemsknowledge.net/ research/newsalert/pdf/natura_2000_social_ seals_avoid_wind_farms_during_
index.html science_research_enhance_conservation_ noisiest_phase_construction_
outcomes_467na1_en.pdf 470na4_en.pdf
6 Issue 94 | December 2016
New advice notes from POST Mitigation Case Studies Forum
Bats and Wind Turbines
The Parliamentary Office of Science and The Bat Conservation Trust’s Bats in the Built
research project
Technology (POST) has published three Environment Programme will be running
new POSTnotes that will be if interest Defra has published the much a Mitigation Case Studies Forum on 24
to members: anticipated report based on the January 2017. Please refer to the BCT
University of Exeter research on bats website for more information:
• 538 - Green Space and Health
and wind-turbines. http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/mitigation_
• 537 - Rewilding and Ecosystem Services
http://www.bats.org.uk/news.php/ case_studies_forum_2017.html
• 536 - Designing a Circular Economy 342/bats_and_wind_turbines_
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords- research_project
Northern Ireland Environment
and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/
Agency publishes Wildlife Law
publications/postnotes/
SNH Commissioned Report 406: and You
Descriptions of Scottish Priority Aimed primarily at the general public,
New website for Marine Features (PMFs) members may find this short guide
Scotland’s Soils This project has produced a descriptive of interest.
The Scotland’s Soils website is part of catalogue of 81 Priority Marine Features https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/
the Scotland’s Environment Web family, (PMFs) that have been identified in the default/files/publications/doe/daera-
and provides data and information on seas around Scotland. The catalogue 2016-wildlife-law-and-you.pdf
Scotland’s soils. serves as a reference for ongoing nature
http://soils.environment.gov.scot/ conservation action.
Leisler’s Bat collision mortality
http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-
at a wind farm in Ireland
and-research/publications/search-the-
State of Nature reports published The first recorded collision fatality of Leisler’s
catalogue/publication-detail/?id=2428
This stock take of the UK’s wildlife reveals Bat at an operating wind farm in Ireland
that 56% of the species studied have has been verified by ecologists from INIS
declined over recent decades. More than Welsh Government’s Ecology. The dead bat was found by an INIS
one in ten of all the species assessed are programme 2016-2020 ecologist using one of INIS’ specially trained
under threat of disappearing from the UK Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 dogs for detecting bird and bat carcasses.
altogether. However, the report illustrates sets out the government’s programme For further information on details of the
that targeted conservation has produced to drive improvement in the Welsh find and further carcass search information,
inspiring success stories and, with sufficient economy and public services, delivering please see the links below.
determination, resources and public a Wales which is prosperous and http://www.inisecology.com/terrestrial-
support, we can turn the fortunes of our secure, healthy and active, ambitious ecology/fatality-monitoring/
wildlife around. and learning, united and connected.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/ http://gov.wales/about/programme-for-
Karl Falkenberg’s reflections
conservation/centre-for-conservation- government/?skip=1&lang=en
on EU sustainability
science/research/details.aspx?id=363867
The former Director-General of DG
Review of the Biological Environment has published a reflections
Wales’ State of Natural Recording Infrastructure paper setting out a European vision for
Resources Report in Scotland sustainability, which includes his views
Natural Resources Wales’ State of The Scottish Biodiversity Information on the future of EU agricultural policy.
Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) Forum’s Advisory Group has this year https://ec.europa.eu/epsc/publications/
is the first of its kind in Wales. The undertaken to drive a review of the strategic-notes/sustainability-now_en
report sets out the state of Wales’ biological recording infrastructure in
natural resources. It assesses the extent Scotland. It is intended that the Review will
to which natural resources in Wales be cohesive across Scotland and, by seeking Living Planet Report 2016
are being sustainably managed, and support from all stakeholders, the outcomes WWF’s Living Planet Report is the world’s
recommends a proactive approach to will benefit from a willingness and energy leading, science-based look at the health
building resilience. And - for the first to make any transitions necessary to of our amazing planet. The latest edition
time - the report links the resilience of implement a new infrastructure. shows both the impacts humans are having
Welsh natural resources to the well- https://nbn.org.uk/news/review- on the natural world and how we can solve
being of the people of Wales. biological-recording-infrastructure- these problems.
http://www.cieem.net/news/357/nrw- scotlandprogress-update/ http://assets.wwf.org.uk/custom/lpr2016/
publishes-state-of-natural-resources-report
Issue 94 | December 2016 7
Introduction to the
Working in Partnership theme
Cross-Sector Partnerships:
Setting Up For Success
Darren Towers CEnv MCIEEM
Working in partnership
has become a key way for
environmental professionals to
deliver their goals, something
which this edition of In Practice
explores in more detail. It looks
at a range of collaborations to
understand their successes
and, importantly, the lessons
we can all learn from the
experience of others.
Whilst partnerships can be an effective way
to accomplish something that is difficult
to achieve by acting alone, working with
other organisations, however like-minded,
is never without challenge.
Partnerships are about more than
sponsoring or funding an initiative.
Likewise, working in partnership is not
about putting a logo on a project, paying
for an accreditation or just sitting on
a committee with others. Partnerships
are about true collaboration to achieve Figure 1. “Tackling a challenge in isolation is not always the right approach.”
mutually beneficial goals. That means Photo credit Darren Towers.
working with others – often across
disciplines, sectors, territories, cultures and
more. Inevitably, that can make delivery challenge. If a goal can be accomplished impact it. Likewise, acting without support
more complex. effectively by working in isolation, that is or collaboration is less likely to ensure
So, how can we ensure that partnerships often much easier than bringing different longevity of impact.
are set up for success from the start? This parties to the table to achieve the same
Partnerships can mean more cost-effective
article offers some personal reflections result. In partnerships, concerns often
delivery and a greater ability to scale-
drawn from working on partnerships include loss of control or voice as there
up impact. Partners can bring different
in roles across the voluntary, regulatory, are more players involved; potential loss
of flexibility or extended timescales for skills to the table; embracing diversity of
consultancy, local planning, and industrial
decision-making; or even worry about experience, thought, culture, knowledge
sectors. While every partnership is different,
being beholden to partners with more and skills also brings greater innovation,
there is a consistent set of considerations
influence (where they have provided the creativity, capability and capacity (Figure 2).
that can help put a partnership on the
majority of funding, for example). Partnerships can open up previously
right track from the start – and make it
sustainable into the future. However, rarely is working in isolation unexpected or unplanned opportunities
the way to go (Figure 1). After all, our for organisations or individuals, and they
Understanding partnerships actions always impact on others, whilst can build the credibility and reputation of
First up, let’s be honest. Partnerships third parties will almost always have an those individuals and organisations that
are not always the right way to tackle a interest in our own work or an ability to are involved.
8 Issue 94 | December 2016
To fully realise these benefits, you have
to make time to understand the mindset
of partner organisations and build
relationships with the individuals taking
part (Figure 3). It is never just about ‘good
communications’; it should be about
presence, understanding and commitment,
and this does not just apply across sectors
- it applies within your own organisation
across departments and professions, too.
All this means establishing some basic
operating principles from the start.
The Partnering Initiative (an independent,
not-for-profit organisation that helps drive
cross-sector collaborations with a focus on
a more sustainable global future; http://
thepartneringinitiative.org) sets out three
basic principles for successful partnerships: Figure 2. “Whilst there can be strength in numbers, collaborative partnerships bring more
equity, transparency and mutal benefit diversity and creativity to the table.” Photo credit Darren Towers.
(Tennyson 2011; Figure 4). The belief is
that equity in a collaboration leads to
respect for the added value that each party Setting up for success: Key
brings; transparency is key to building considerations
trust amongst partners who are then As this edition of In Practice shows, every
more willing to innovate or take risks; and partnership is different and evolves along
mutual benefit leads to true engagement its own path. It is never a case of ‘one size
with relationships more likely to be fits all’. To confuse things further, there is
sustained over time. Whether a partnership a wealth of information available online to
is planned or opportunistic, embedding this help make partnerships a success – toolkits,
set of principles will mean a much greater frameworks, case studies, software and
chance of success from day one. more (see Box 1 overleaf).
Figure 4. “Ensuring equity, transparency and
mutual benefit in partnerships can put you
more firmly on the road to success.” Photo
credit Darren Towers.
In such a busy space and with such
diversity of considerations, it can
sometimes be difficult to know where to
start with a new partnership. However,
personal experience suggests there are
some key stages and considerations that
can help set up for success.
Figure 3. “Environmental partnerships bloom when parties understand each other and have
planned well.” Photo credit Darren Towers.
Issue 94 | December 2016 9
Introduction to the
Working in Partnership theme (contd)
Box 1. Inspiration and tools for The Brokering Guidebook: Box 2. Five key questions
cross-sector partnerships The International Business Leaders Forum when considering cross-sector
For further inspiration on how to set (IBLF) guide to the role and practical partnerships
up and run an effective cross-sector interventions of partnership brokers. Stage 1: “Do we want to do
partnership, and to access useful tools http://thepartneringinitiative.org/ it?” – Checking the fit with your
organisation and the level of support
or training, check out some of the links wp-content/uploads/2014/08/
from practitioners to leaders.
below. This is by no means an exhaustive TheBrokeringGuidebook.pdf
Stage 2: “Can we do it?” – Assessing
guide but will certainly provide some
The Collaborative Impact Forum: the showstoppers and whether they
food for thought.
Offers tools, resources, video, webinars, prevent the partnership or can be
networking and a self-assessment creatively overcome.
The Partnering Initiative (TPI):
Independent, non-profit organisation framework for those working to bring Stage 3: “Should we do it?” –
about collective change. Understanding the likely impact of the
offering resources including partnering
partnership and whether the return on
toolkits and roadmap, culture navigator https://collectiveimpactforum.org/
your investment justifies taking part.
and access to training.
Partnerships: Frameworks for Stage 4: “Should we do it with
http://thepartneringinitiative.org/ Working Together: them?” – Doing your due diligence
A comprehensive US report that looks on project partners to understand
Partnering for Inclusive strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
at capacity building in non-profit
Business Checklist: and threats.
organisations as a result of cross-sector
A checklist from the TPI and Stage 5: “How do we do it?”
partnership working.
Business Innovation Facility to help – Making sure you have the right
http://www.strengtheningnonprofits.org/
identify which parts of a project might systems, processes and resources in
resources/guidebooks/Partnerships.pdf place to launch, stay on track and
need collaboration.
achieve your goals.
http://thepartneringinitiative.org/ Partnering for Success
the-partnering-for-inclusive- – Business Perspectives on
business-checklist/ Multistakeholder Partnerships: • Stage 1: “Do we want to do it?”
A review by the World Economic Forum’s Assessing the broad fit of a potential
Partnerships for Global Corporate Citizenship Initiative. partnership with the aims or vision of
Sustainable Development: http://files.site-fusion.co.uk/ your organisation is a key first step.
A useful article on inclusive, webfusion112071/file/ Does it fit with your strategy, aims
cross-sector approaches. partneringforsuccess_2005.pdf or vision? Will the leadership of your
http://www.waynevisser.com/wp- organisation support it? If so, you have
Unlocking the Power of Partnerships: a strong basis for collaboration; if not,
content/uploads/2012/05/paper_
An overview of effective partnership it will be a tough sell internally and a
partnerships_sustainability_wvisser.pdf
working by KPMG. challenge to get buy-in. Sometimes an
Twelve Steps to https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/ idea can make huge sense, but your
Successful Partnerships: kpmg/pdf/2016/01/unlocking-power-of- organisation might not be the right one
A one-page PDF summary of things to partnership.pdf to help lead it or the timing might be
completely wrong. If that is the case,
consider when setting up a partnership.
Talking the Walk: consider how you could direct it to
http://thepartneringinitiative.org/wp- A communications manual for more appropriate partners – use your
content/uploads/2014/11/12-steps_ partnership practitioners from the TPI. professional network.
handout.pdf
http://thepartneringinitiative.org/
Six Steps To Ensure Successful Cross- wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ • Stage 2: “Can we do it?”
TalkingTheWalk.pdf You know the aspiration or opportunity
Sector Partnerships:
A useful article and easy read from fits with your organisation’s goals and
Moving On:
you can get leadership buy-in, but can
Forbes on six key issues for partnerships. An IBLF guide to how to exit partnerships
you actually do it? Get those show-
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ effectively and efficiently.
stoppers out of the way right from
gradsoflife/2016/07/14/6-steps- http://thepartneringinitiative.org/ the start by identifying any prohibitive
to-ensure-successful-cross-sector- wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ considerations or influences. They
partnerships/#4f2468854fd8 MovingOnToolbook.pdf might be operational, commercial,
legal, environmental or something else.
10 Issue 94 | December 2016For example: resource to invest for the full duration not necessarily mean appropriateness
• Health and Safety: Do access, of the project so that early effort is not to deliver (and a poor choice of
security, insurance or safety wasted later down the line? partner can be complicated at best or
implications prevent the project? Outcomes: Demonstrating a return disastrous at worst!). Keep it as simple
on investment is critical. You need to as a traditional SWOT (Strengths,
• Legal: Can legal requirements,
know what this is, how you will assess Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
consents or conditions be met?
it and how likely it is to be realised. That analysis if needed. At this stage, typical
• Financial: Are sufficient finances in
might mean achieving an environmental considerations might include:
place for the duration of the project?
gain, meeting a legal obligation, or • Knowledge / credibility: Do
• Environmental: Are the successfully influencing policy makers, partners have the right technical
environmental impacts of the communities, land managers or another expertise and credibility or
proposal acceptable? stakeholder group. For a business, reputation? If not, how would you
• Reputation/relationships: Will it might mean better connecting overcome this? Do they have a track
this damage the reputation of to customers or improving the record and can they deliver?
any partners? Will third parties communities that company is based in.
• Goals and culture: Can you
block proposals? Think beyond the obvious or immediate
agree on environmental, technical,
• Commitment: Are partners fully gains – achieving an environmental
financial, social and political goals?
committed? Is there buy-in from improvement might be the key goal
Do your values and ethics match?
the top, from local teams and from but it may bring other benefits too,
such as positive impacts on well-being, • Collaborative gain: If a partner
champions to deliver the project?
education or employment (Figure 5). is not strong in a particular field,
• Community fit: Is this suitable for can that be offset by sharing skills
the local social context (e.g. politically or knowledge?
and socially acceptable)? • Stage 4: “Should we do it with them?”
• Risks: Are the wider risks of working
• Conflicts of interest: Are there It fits your goals, there are no show-
stoppers and you know it is going to with any partner understood
insurmountable risks or conflicts
generate the results you need – at an and manageable (e.g. financial,
of interest with the project
acceptable cost. That means it is time reputational, legal, health and safety)?
or partner(s)?
to consider if the partners are the right • Relationships: Do they have positive
Think broadly about the potential show-
ones; it calls for basic due diligence relationships with other bodies or
stoppers. If there are none, or they can
and some ‘getting to know you’ individuals capable of affecting the
be creatively overcome, you know it fits
homework. After all, enthusiasm or partnership? Is the partnership likely
and can be done. Make sure partnership
availability of funds from a partner do to be championed by the partner as
working is the right way to address the
challenge too. If that makes it too complex
and the goals can be achieved another way,
now is the time to set out on that path.
• Stage 3: “Should we do it?”
By now, you know that a collaborative
partnership is the right way to tackle
something and that it could actually
be achieved. So, should you actually
do it? Now is the time to consider if
what you put in to the partnership will
have enough of an impact or be a good
enough return on your investment,
whether that means funding, resources,
time or something else.
Inputs: You will probably need to
consider if you have the people and
time to contribute; if they are skilled
and knowledgeable enough; if you have
enough capital to fund work; and if
you have capacity to free-up expertise.
Crucially, think beyond the initial phase Figure 5. “Environmental partnerships can bring other social benefits too – recreation,
of any project. Do you have enough education, well-being and more.” Photo credit Darren Towers.
Issue 94 | December 2016 11Introduction to the
Working in Partnership theme (contd)
continually improve? Has an exit
strategy been agreed if partners need
to leave? Has post-project legacy
been considered and agreed?
Final thoughts
Whilst the five stages outlined here might
seem time-consuming, they can be as
detailed or light touch as needed. Making
time to plan in what can be a frantic
working world is important – neglecting
it can set back a partnership or even be
counter-productive. Whatever the case,
the five steps should help ensure that
any partnership gets off to a good start,
which is key for collaborative success.
Find out what works for your organisation,
talk about it honestly and share the
highs and lows. That way, we all benefit
from the learning and it puts us in an even
stronger position to bring about positive
environmental change and a
more sustainable future for all.
Reference
Figure 6. “Finding like-minded project partners and doing your due diligence is key to success.”
Photo credit Darren Towers. Tennyson, R. (2011). The Partnering Toolbook:
An Essential Guide to Cross-Sector Partnering.
The Parterning Initiative in association with
a whole or is there a risk that it relies understands the partners and the International Business Leaders
Forum, London.
on one individual alone (who may their aspirations, and all relevant
leave or ‘burn out’ at some point)? stakeholders know the plan and have
• Mutual benefit: Is everyone going signed off any necessary permissions.
to get what they need out of this • Partnership working agreements:
partnership and are they willing to About the Author
Objectives, roles and responsibilities,
share joint benefits (e.g. credit in the Darren is Head
evaluation mechanisms (‘key success
of Education and
media or professional recognition)? measures’) and communication plans Skills at EDF Energy
Remember, whilst preparation and are all in place. A Terms of Reference and Chair of the
planning require effort and may feel or Memorandum of Understanding EDF Energy LGBT
is often used to achieve this. Often Supporters Network.
onerous, it all ensures that problems
Previously Head of
further down the line are avoided. overlooked, though, is a process for Sustainability and
(Figure 6) what happens if things go wrong – Environment at EDF
do you need to set out how to tackle Energy, he has also held environmental,
grievances, for example? ecological and sustainability roles in
• Stage 5: “How do we do it?” Thames Water, Surrey Wildlife Trust,
At this stage, it is almost a case of • Technical checklist: Make sure the Environment Agency, Berkshire’s
‘all systems go’. You are sure it fits, that legal and financial agreements, county and unitary authorities, and in
health and safety plans or risk commercial consultancy. He volunteers
show-stoppers are managed, the
as a member of the In Practice Editorial
costs and benefits stack up, and assessments, baseline surveys or data
Board and CIEEM Diversity Working
the project partners are understood are all in place. Have processes in Group. This article is based on personal
and appropriate. One final piece of place to keep these up to date too. views from Darren’s working experience
homework will set you up for success – • Partnership lifecycle and on studies he completed as part of
a Postgraduate Certificate in Cross-
getting the right systems or processes in considerations: Is there a succession Sector Partnerships with the Cambridge
place to launch smoothly, stay on track plan or contingency plan in place Programme for Industry (now Cambridge
and achieve those goals. This relies on a in case key personnel move on Institute for Sustainability Leadership).
number of things, including: or to cover the risk of ‘leadership Contact Darren at:
• Awareness-raising: Stakeholders exhaustion’? Are mechanisms Darren.Towers@edfenergy.com
have all been consulted, everyone in place to share learning and
12 Issue 94 | December 2016Viewpoint: Partnerships in Action
– Europe and Beyond
Partnerships in Action
– Europe and Beyond
Debbie Bartlett FCIEEM Keywords: coppice, ecosystem services,
University of Greenwich landscape, partnership
I feel privileged to have participated in a number of international 1. EuroCoppice
partnership projects, both while working in Local Government and COST is the longest-running European
framework supporting trans-national
the Forestry Commission and during my time at the University of cooperation among researchers, engineers
Greenwich. While an obvious benefit of international collaboration and scholars across Europe. COST Action
is accessing funding to do things that might otherwise not FP1301 Innovative management and
multifunctional utilisation of traditional
be possible, there are also significant benefits in continuing coppice forests - an answer to future
professional development and in sharing technical knowledge ecological, economic and social challenges
about ecology and environmental management. in the European forestry sector, for which
I am UK lead, began in October 2013
and will run till May 2017. It involves
Introduction
representatives from over 30 countries
All partnership working depends upon centenary celebrations, and presenting exchanging knowledge about traditional
finding common ground while accepting material on Darwin’s work. The partnership coppice woodland management with the
differences in points of view and working also led to an academic teaching ultimate aim of formulating European
practices, and this is particularly nuanced partnership that gave MSc students from policy for the coppice industry.
when working across languages and the University of Greenwich and CDU
access to distance learning courses at Effective partnership working
cultures. In the early 1990s, I worked on
two coastal and woodland management either University – a particular benefit for While there is no funding for research from
UK students wanting to learn more about COST, basic expenses to attend conferences
projects that were partnerships between
tropical forestry. and to contribute to specific activities, such
stakeholders in Kent and Northern
as topic working groups, are reimbursed.
France. They were funded by INTERREG, Case studies Effective partnership working is facilitated by
a programme financed by the European
Not only can partnership working be a themed conferences, which are combined
Regional Development Fund usually
route to funding but also it is immensely with management committee and topic
involving member states with a shared rewarding, particularly working in working group meetings. To date these
boundary. The second project was easier multi-disciplinary teams. Some recent have been held in Italy, England, the Czech
than the first as we had learnt to accept examples follow. Republic, Romania, and Belgium (Figure 1).
some minor differences, such as in the
understanding of the word ‘deadline’.
Further afield, I have worked with Charles
Darwin University (CDU) in Northern
Australia on the Darwin’s Landscape
Laboratory proposal, a bid made by
Bromley Council for World Heritage
Site status for the house, gardens and
countryside near London where Darwin
lived and worked for forty years, including
his work on ‘The Origin of Species’ (http://
www.darwinslandscape.co.uk). As a result
of working on the Historic Landscape
Assessment, part of the World Heritage
bid, funding was secured for four MSc
students to visit Darwin, Northern Territory,
for a memorable month taking part in the Figure 1. Silviculture workshop in Romania.
Issue 94 | December 2016 13Viewpoint: Partnerships in Action
– Europe and Beyond (contd)
Limoges, France, and the culmination
of the COST Action will be part of the
IUFRO (International Union of Forest
Research Organizations) conference in
September 2017 where a policy paper
will be presented (see http://www.iufro.
org/events/anniversary-congress/ for more
details). This will serve to remind decision
makers firstly that coppice is important,
secondly that a commercial coppice
industry still exists, and finally that policy
should be aiming to support those involved
in this traditional activity that has so many
wider benefits.
2. A partnership approach to
managing the invasive shrub
Figure 2. Chestnut yard in Italy.
Prosopis juliflora in India
Partners have the opportunity to engage in Key lessons learnt This British Council funded collaboration
Short Term Scientific Missions (or STSMs) between the University of Greenwich and
It has been instructive to learn that the
to study specific aspects in depth, when the Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology
prevalent view across most of Europe is that
common issues are identified. Partners can (GUIDE), India, although ultimately very
coppice should be converted to high forest.
also be supported to host training schools successful, was initially problematic. In
Partners from different countries have
for postgraduate students from different fact, I offered to return funding on the
contrasting views and one of the tangible
countries to come together, usually for basis that it was impossible to achieve the
benefits of meeting and particularly visiting
a week, to share experiences and study original aims set out in the proposal.
woods together is in understanding these
aspects of coppice woodland management. different views and questioning our own Indian scientists were concerned that the
One STSM, to compare chestnut Castanea assumptions. The concept of semi-natural invasive shrub Prosopis juliflora was having
sativa management in Northern Italy and ancient woodland is virtually unknown a negative impact on biodiversity. The plant
South East England (Bartlett 2016), raised outside the UK and in other countries was introduced to prevent the spread of the
awareness of the impact of the oriental there is frequent reference to ‘near to salt desert and the GUIDE scientist wanted
chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus nature’ systems which appear to us to be an eradication strategy, based on analysis
- introduced on scion wood imported from plantations. In Germany, woodland can of satellite imagery interpretation of the
China - on honey and nut production, and only be referred to as coppice if it has been rate of spread. The Greenwich team were
the biological control methods available cut within the last forty years, less than sceptical as to whether this was a realistic
to combat it. In June 2015, this wasp some traditional rotation lengths here; in approach, and felt more information
was identified in England by amateur some countries cutting coppice is illegal. would be required before any decisions
entomologists, first in woodlands near This variation in views is both stimulating could be made and therefore suggested
Sevenoaks, Kent, and later in St Albans. and challenging - even before short applying landscape character assessment
A Defra entomologist was quickly invited rotation coppice for fuel is considered! and ecosystem service evaluation to the P.
to Italy for an STSM, funded by the COST juliflora issue. Fieldwork, carried out over
My specific role in EuroCoppice is to
Action, to learn from their experience of four visits, revealed the great extent to
lead the working group on governance
which rural people were dependent on this
dealing with this insect (Figure 2). The in the European coppice sector. Leaving
plant for fuel, fodder, honey and medicinal
STSM report evaluating the potential aside the tricky issue of what is meant
gum, making eradication an unpopular –
control options (Everatt 2015) has been by governance, it has been sobering to
as well as an impractical - option with the
welcomed by the Forestry Commission. hear about the problems for effective
local communities.
The most recent training school, held woodland management in the former
in July 2016 near Boppard, Germany, communist countries where returning Effective partnership working
focused on biodiversity and was led woodland to private ownership is Participatory working, with locals
by CIEEM member Dr Peter Buckley. fraught with difficulties. It puts concerns rather than with the ecologists from
It was promoted by partners and via about fragmentation of ownership into the Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology
the EuroCoppice website and involved perspective as woods are returned to alone, enabled a re-consideration of the
19 students from 12 countries and 15 people who have no interest in them, and role of P. juliflora in India (Figure 3). The
different nationalities. There were two are unable to sell or manage them. landscape assessment and ecosystem
participants from the UK, from the The next event will be a conference service evaluation led to the production of
Universities of Bangor and Greenwich. on coppice products, to be held in a ‘Natural Character Area’ profile, along
14 Issue 94 | December 2016References
Bartlett, D. (2016). A comparison of the chestnut
industry in S E England and Northern Italy.
Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 110: 51-55.
Everatt, M. (2015). Evaluation of the potential of
control options used in Italy for the management
of the oriental chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus
kuriphilus) in the UK. Available at https://
www.eurocoppice.uni-freiburg.de/intern/
pdf/stsm/stsm-report-everatt.
Figure 3. Participatory working with local people in India.
the lines of those produced by Natural although commercial charcoal production
England. This identified that, in addition to was suggested as a means of reducing
valuing P. juliflora for a range of attributes, the impact of the shrub on the most
local people urgently needed fences as important grasslands, such as the Lala
they were organising 24-hour patrols to Indian Bustard Sanctuary.
prevent their crops being eaten by the
Key lessons learnt
protected wild ass Equus hemionus khur,
nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus and wild It took a long time to get funding approved
boar Sus scrofa cristatus. by the British Council, such that the former
Greenwich student who had originally
Here in the UK, we make strong hedges
been the key contact at GUIDE had left
from thorny shrubs, which are totally
to complete his PhD before approval was
stock proof if they are ’laid’ to form an
given. This created a problem as there
impenetrable barrier. The British Council
was no one in GUIDE with any experience Figure 4. Information sheets in English and
granted additional funding to enable
of either landscape or ecosystem service Gujarati are distributed to local communities.
research to see if P. juliflora would respond
assessment. The disruption had the
to this treatment. Three members of the
unexpected benefit that, instead of equal Not all partnerships go well. There is a lot
UK team returned to India to see if we
numbers of student exchanges, seven of hard work involved, much of it outside
could turn the invasive plant into a stock
Greenwich MSc students were fully funded working hours; it requires flexibility and
proof fence.
to work in India, providing practical research being adaptable to partners’ needs and this
Hedge laying requires the main stem to for theses as well as valuable experience of can mean letting go of personal aims and
be cut almost through to enable it to be working in a different culture. The take- objectives. I’ve learnt to be cautious, to get
lowered towards the horizontal. The first home message is that, although on paper agreements written down in plain English
plant wilted visibly in the high temperatures partnerships are between organisations, in and I am grateful for my experiences as a
but by the next morning had completely reality they are between individuals and, trained mediator.
recovered. Practical experimentation however well planned, it can be difficult to
continued, using locally available axes, and predict outcomes accurately.
a line of P. juliflora along a roadside was About the Author
formed into a ‘living fence’ in preparation Conclusion Dr Debbie Bartlett
for a demonstration workshop. In addition, Partnerships, whether with one person MCLI FCIEEM is
we worked with local farm workers to turn to combine skills on a project, or with Principal Lecturer
in Environmental
old chemical drums into simple charcoal organisations, can be productive and
Conservation at
retorts, a significant increase in efficiency enjoyable but they can be very hard the University of
over the earthburn techniques that were work. Identifying who you can – and who Greenwich and
currently in use. Both the ‘living fences’ and you cannot – have an effective working combines this with
the charcoal retorts were welcomed and relationship with is important. It can be consultancy. While
her life might seem exciting with overseas
the information sheets – English one side, tempting but enthusiasm for collaboration, travel, it also involves lecture writing,
Gujarati the other – are being distributed by while important, is not enough to sustain marking, and all the administration that
both the Forestry and Rural Development a project in the long term. Partnerships makes up the life of an academic.
services in the region (Figure 4). A great are with people, even when nominally Contact Debbie at:
success – but a long way from the original between organisations; individuals make d.bartlett@gre.ac.uk
intention of eradicating P. juliflora, partnerships work.
Issue 94 | December 2016 15You can also read
