Jersey hosts the 2018 Inter-Island Environment Meeting (IIEM)

Environmental experts from across the Channel Islands and UK are meeting to share ideas and collaborate on projects at the two-day Inter-Island Environment Meeting (IIEM) which is being held in Jersey from tomorrow.

The meeting, which is being attended by government officers, NGOs and other interested individuals has three objectives:

• to provide presentations on environmental topics relevant to conservation organisations within our islands, demonstrating the value of collaboration and partnership, as well as the challenges that arise
• to discuss current or future projects which could effectively be undertaken throughout the Channel Islands and other regions, such as the Isle of Man and UK
• to discuss the potential for a Channel Island Environmental Charter

Jersey’s Minister for Environment, Deputy John Young, who will be welcoming the delegates tomorrow, said: “I always enjoy meeting friends and colleagues from our sister Channel Islands; we have so much in common. This forum is evidence of the way in which those who work in environmental protection are already sharing their expertise and coordinating their activity, and I feel confident that at a political level the islands will share aspirations for what we want to achieve.

“Increased inter-island cooperation is already high on our political agenda. I support the principle of a shared vision for our environment and closer working ties between the islands. I look forward to seeing the proposals which will come out of this meeting.”

The meeting is being coordinated by the Natural Environment Team, States of Jersey and the National Trust for Jersey. 

Charles Alluto, CEO of the National Trust, said: “This is an important opportunity for environmentalists and conservationists to discuss and identify the main environmental challenges that we face both in the immediate and long term future” he said. “The organisations involved in Jersey’s natural environment already work extremely closely together but partnership working can always be improved. By working together we can achieve more, and I hope that we can create an aspirational shared vision which can be delivered by working in closer partnership and pooling our limited resources. Ultimately all of us have a duty of care to pass on a natural environment in better condition than we inherited it and it is hoped that the Charter may assist the Channel Islands to head in this direction.”

The IIEM is being held at Crabbé. The facility was chosen because of its prime location within Jersey’s National Park, enabling delegates to walk to some of the conservation projects that will be discussed.

This year’s event has been kindly sponsored by The Insurance Corporation and The Howard Davis Trust.