• Peter Ainsworth MP is CIWEM's new Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year
LONDON, UK, Nov. 11, 2009 -- The Politician of the Year 2005, Peter Ainsworth MP, has now added CIWEM's Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year Award to his collection of accolades.
At CIWEM's Parliamentary Reception on 9h November, President of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Ken Shapland praised Peter for his outstanding contribution to environmental understanding. This includes Peter's current role as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Groups for the Environment and Sustainable Aviation, and his past position as Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Peter has also introduced the Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Bill to Parliament, is a Director of Plantlife International, and a Vice President of Wildlife and Countryside Link. In recognition of his work on the environment, Peter Ainsworth was awarded the Public Affairs News 'Politician of the Year' award in 2005.
For the second year running, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, presented CIWEM's Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year Award. He told the audience of Ministers, MPs, Lords and senior environmentalists that:
"CIWEM has chosen to recognize Peter's long and illustrious parliamentary career and his dedication to environmental affairs. Peter is a passionate champion of the environment and a knowledgeable one too. He is vocal and continues to be active, not least through his ongoing work with Plantlife International and the Wildlife and Countryside Link. Peter's dedication to green issues is an inspiration to all of his parliamentary colleagues across all the political parties and to the wider public too. CIWEM's Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year Award shows how parliament is starting to have a track record in making a positive difference to the environment and I am delighted to present this thoroughly well deserved award to Peter."
On accepting the CIWEM Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year Award, Peter said:
"I believe in politics enabling progressive organizations such as CIWEM to deliver solutions to our environmental challenges, and it is terrific to have my role recognized. I am absolutely delighted to accept what is a serious honour from a serious institution."
The award ceremony was accompanied by the launch CIWEM's Manifesto -- 'Fitting The Bill: A Manifesto for Environmental Action', which offers pragmatic solutions for all political leaders to a wide range of environmental challenges including climate change, food security, population, and water scarcity, as well as some of the amazing photographs from CIWEM's Environmental Photographer of the Year competition, an international showcase for the very best in environmental photography.
The evening was sponsored by Carter Environmental and Morrison Construction.
About The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, CIWEM, is an independent professional body and a registered charity, advancing the science and practice of water and environmental management for a clean, green and sustainable world. www.ciwem.org
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