The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) has called on Ghanaians to work collaboratively with environmental professionals to promote sustainable development.
According to the group, the pursuit of a more sustainable country rests not only on the shoulders of the professionals but on all citizens, hence the need to work together.
“While environmental professionals bear significant responsibility in ensuring sustainability, achieving this goal requires the participation of all individuals, businesses, governments, and policymakers,” the group stated.
This was contained in a statement issued in Accra on Saturday on the occasion of this year’s Environmental Professionals Day.
Citing Richard Rogers, a British architect, it said the only way forward in improving the quality of the environment was to get everybody involved.
The statement commended environmental professionals particularly IAIA members, corporate organisations, financial institutions, professional bodies, academia, civil society organisations and the media who work to promote sustainable development.
“We especially recognise the work of our corporate members and appreciate your commitment and efforts in promoting sound environmental practices. We want to celebrate and thank our gallant environmental professionals,” it added.
Environmental professionals in Ghana, the statement said, continue to protect the natural environment, social structures, and human health and safety to secure a higher quality of life for the citizenry.
It noted that environmental professionals play a vital role in safeguarding Ghana’s environment amidst climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss which were the three main challenging interlinked planetary crises.
“As members of IAIA-Ghana, we have worked tirelessly to promote sound environmental management, ensured compliance with environmental regulations and sustained a community of competent environmental practitioners across all sectors,” the statement added.
Environmental Professionals Day was established worldwide on April 15 to recognise and acknowledge the crucial contribution of environmental professionals in the continuous pursuit of a just and sustainable world for all living things.
Environmental professionals include social and environmental scientists, engineers and planners, public and environmental health specialists.
BY TIMES REPORTER