Colin Challen MP First Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year

When presenting the award, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, told the audience of Ministers, MPs, Lords and senior environmentalists that: “CIWEM has chosen to recognise Colin for his passionate and active involvement on the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee and for his role as Chair of the influential All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group. Colin has proved to be an inspiration for CIWEM through his dedication to environmental and climate change issues and because of his encouragement of CIWEM, ensuring that professionals have a stronger voice in the broad spectrum political community of parliament.”
 
On accepting the inaugural CIWEM Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year Award, Colin said: “There are many politicians working to protect the environment so I am genuinely surprised and delighted that CIWEM has chosen me. What I find so interesting about CIWEM is that the Institution looks not just at the environment but also culture and art. I think it is great that CIWEM is investing its energies in these activities that celebrate culture and the environment. Professional institution's offer a well of expertise that is not always made proper use of. I urge people that have the skills and are engaged in tackling climate change to be more vocal politically. Not to allow themselves to work in a vacuum, but to say what they can do and how they can make a difference.”
 
The invited guests, which included Lord Smith Chairman of the Environment Agency, were also able to view pictures from CIWEM’s Environmental Photographer of the Year 2008 exhibition which shares images of environmental and social issues.
 
The evening was sponsored by Carter Environmental, a leader in the field of air pollution abatement and provider of energy efficient water cooling systems, and Morrison Construction, one of the leading utility support service groups in the UK.