CIWEM's Presidential Theme 2025/26

23 September 2025

CIWEM's Presidential Theme 2025/26: Green Roots, Growing Prosperity – why climate and environmental resilience supports the government’s growth agenda

In 2025, we welcome John Curtin as CIWEM’s 39th President, and Emily Blaney as CIWEM’s Early Careers President. Below, they introduce their CIWEM Presidential Theme for the next year.

The challenge

In recent years, a damaging narrative has taken hold: environmental regulation and protection are framed as barriers to national growth and prosperity. This perception has fuelled policy and legislative shifts that risk reversing decades of environmental progress, particularly for communities most in need of resilient ecosystems and clean environments.

Public support for climate resilience and environmental action has eroded, with Office for National Stats (ONS) data showing the steepest decline among all measured categories in just two years. This negative framing, casting environmental measures as restrictive or sacrificial, threatens to undermine the urgent need for sustainable progress.

The opportunity

It’s time to rewrite the story. Environmental action is not a barrier but a foundation for prosperity. ‘Green roots, growing prosperity’ captures the synergy of environmental resilience with economic growth. By championing nature-based solutions, sustainable infrastructure, and innovative policies, we can deliver thriving communities, a robust economy, and a healthier planet.

Environmental professionals are uniquely positioned to lead this shift, with countless examples of how protecting nature and enhancing climate resilience are catalysts for human wellbeing, job creation, infrastructure innovation, and equitable growth.

Our vision

For the 2025/26 presidential year, CIWEM will spearhead a movement to reframe environmental action as a driver of prosperity. We will:

• Showcase success: Highlight projects where green infrastructure and nature-based solutions have delivered measurable economic and social benefits, from flood-resilient towns to urban green spaces boosting local economies.
• Celebrate excellence: Champion the achievements of our members by showcasing their innovations, leadership, and impact - from transformative projects to the fresh ideas of early career professionals.
• Engage communities: Restore public support by connecting environmental solutions to tangible improvements in quality of life, health, and opportunity.
• Influence policy: Advocate for legislation that integrates environmental and economic goals, ensuring sustainable growth benefits all communities, especially the most vulnerable.
• Empower professionals: Equip CIWEM members with tools, case studies, and platforms to lead this narrative shift, positioning environmental expertise as essential to national prosperity.
  
  

A call to action

Together, we can plant the green roots of a prosperous future. Let’s unite as environmental professionals to champion a positive, inclusive vision—one where climate resilience and economic growth go hand in hand.

Join CIWEM in 2025/26 to make ‘Green roots, growing prosperity’ a reality for generations to come.

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To learn more about the Presidential team, visit here.

John Curtin is visiting professor at the University of Southampton, and CIWEM's President
Emily Blaney is principal consultant in water advisory at WSP, and CIWEM's Early Careers President