IEMA Associate Entry Examination: 2012 Specification (Version 1)
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
The learning outcomes state what a candidate will be expected to know, understand or be able to do and the assessment criteria describe the requirements that a
candidate is expected to meet to demonstrate that a learning outcome has been achieved.
Learning Outcome
(the learner will . . .)
Assessment Criteria
(the learner can . . .)
Prescribed Content
(the learner will be familiar with . . .)
Understand
environmental
and sustainability
principles
1.1 Describe the main natural cycles and ecological systems
Main natural cycles - Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and water
cycles
1.2 Explain the importance of natural cycles and ecological
systems
1.3 Describe the main ecosystem services
1.4 Explain the importance of biodiversity and ecological stability
1.5 Describe how human interventions impact upon natural cycles
and ecological systems
Ecological systems - Plants and animals and their interactions
with non living components
Main ecosystem services - Supporting, provisioning, regulating
and cultural services
1.6 Describe the main pollution sources, pathways and receptors
1.7 Explain the causes and effects of climate change
1.8 Explain the concepts of sustainability and sustainable
development
Understand
environmental
policy issues
2.1 Outline the key principles of environmental policy
2.2 Describe the main policy instruments available to effect
change
2.3 Describe key environmental policies
Principles of environmental policy - Polluter pays principle,
best available techniques, precautionary principle, producer
responsibility, lifecycle thinking, avoidance vs mitigation
Policy instruments - Fiscal, legislative, market and voluntary
instruments
Environmental policies - Policies in relation to natural
environment, water, waste, energy, low carbon, resources
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© IEMA 2012
IEMA Associate Entry Examination: 2012 Specification (Version 1)
Understand key
environmental
legislation and
compliance measures
3.1 Describe the regulatory framework including the relationship
between UK, EU and international law
Types of law - Common and statute law, and civil and criminal law
(in jurisdictions where they exist)
3.2 Outline the main types of Law
Environmental legislation - Legislation in relation to natural
environment, air, water, land, waste, energy, climate change,
producer responsibility and planning
3.3 Describe key environmental legislation
3.4 Describe how organisations comply with environmental
legislation
3.5 Outline the penalties for non-compliance with environmental
legislation
Penalties - Civil and criminal sanctions
Environmental regulators - National regulators appropriate to
country or region of operation/activity
3.6 Explain the roles of environmental regulators
Understand
environmental
management and
sustainable
development in a
business context
4.1 Outline how environmental issues present risks and
opportunities for organisations
Risks - At an operational and an organisational level, risks to the
environment, and risks presented by a changing environment
4.2 Propose measures to manage environmental risks
4.3 Propose ways to take advantage of opportunities created
4.4 Describe the main components of an environmental business
case
4.5 Explain the importance of corporate responsibility in relation to
environmental management
Measures to manage environmental risks - Operational,
mechanical, technological, strategic and human (e.g.
training/competencies)
Environmental business case – Non financial and financial case
Organisational value chain – Michael Porter definition
4.6 Explain the importance of environmental sustainability in value
chain management
4.7 Explain the importance of effective resource use and recovery
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© IEMA 2012
IEMA Associate Entry Examination: 2012 Specification (Version 1)
Be able to collect,
analyse and report
on environmental
information and data
5.1 Identify relevant sources of environmental information and data
5.2 Describe appropriate techniques to collect, process, store and
retrieve information and data
5.3 Evaluate the accuracy and relevance of data
5.4 Analyse and interpret data
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5.5 Draw appropriate conclusions
5.6 Use appropriate techniques to disseminate findings
5.7 Describe the role of verification and assurance
Be able to apply
environmental
management and
assessment tools
6.1 Describe the application of environmental management and
assessment tools
6.2 Outline the advantages and disadvantages of environmental
management and assessment tools
Be able to analyse
problems and
opportunities to
deliver sustainable
solutions
7.1 Recognise when environmental problems and opportunities
exist
Be able to develop
and implement
programmes to
deliver environmental
performance
improvement
8.1 Identify ways to improve environmental performance
7.2 Determine the nature of the risk or the scope of the opportunity
Environmental management and assessment tools - Risk
assessment, environmental management systems, environmental
audit, life cycle assessment, environmental impact assessment ,
strategic environmental assessment, cost benefit analysis,
footprinting
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7.3 Propose sustainable solutions and programmes to address
environmental problems and opportunities
8.2 Describe how to develop a programme to improve
environmental performance
8.3 Describe how to implement a programme to improve
environmental performance
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8.4 Describe methods to monitor a programme to improve
environmental performance
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© IEMA 2012
IEMA Associate Entry Examination: 2012 Specification (Version 1)
Be able to
communicate
effectively with
internal and external
stakeholders
9.1 Identify internal and external stakeholders
9.2 Describe the needs of stakeholders
9.3 Explain the importance of effective communication to
stakeholders
9.4 Describe appropriate communication methods for stakeholders
9.5 Evaluate the effectiveness of communication with stakeholders
Stakeholders - stakeholder groups, e.g. employees, suppliers,
shareholders, regulators, local community,
Needs - environmental information needs of stakeholders and why
Guidelines for environmental reporting and green claims e.g. Global Reporting Index, DEFRA and DECC Guidance on how
to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions, DEFRA Green
Claims Guidance
9.6 Outline guidelines for environmental reporting and green
claims
Be able to influence
behaviour and
implement change to
improve sustainability
10.1 Outline the principles of change management
10.2 Describe how to create a positive environmental culture and
a move to sustainability
10.3 Describe the barriers to creating a positive environmental
culture and a move to sustainability
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10.4 Constructively challenge behaviour that may cause
environmental harm
10.5 Outline the implications and consequences of decisions
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© IEMA 2012