Member profile: Jane Boyle CEnv MEI

“Being a Chartered Environmentalist offers credibility through the opportunity to join a diverse network of experts, innovators and leaders from a diverse spectrum of sectors. As the energy sector faces urgent challenges of achieving a zero carbon future as well as improving access to energy sources, being a CEnv in the sector offers a unique opportunity to address these issues!”

When did you first become interested in environmental issues?

Growing up on the West Coast of Scotland, I’ve always been surrounded by nature. The transition from healthy and abundant sea life to pollution in the local river sparked my interest in the environment and what has evolved into a global climate crisis.

Over time, this has also spilled over into my home life with the introduction of energy saving technologies and a strict no-plastic-packaging policy at home (which hasn’t always gone down well my family who happen to be my toughest audience).

Tell us a little about your current job

My current position as the Energy Manager at the University of Aberdeen involves overseeing all aspects of energy delivery, consumption and reporting. My favourite aspect of working at the University is leading the development of our Net Zero Carbon Strategy with all our internal and external stakeholders.

We’re aiming to be net zero carbon by 2040 via a whole system approach to the complex interactions of behaviour, education, procurement, transport and utilities.

What inspired you to pursue this career, and what path did you take to get there?

As a mother, I want to leave a better future for the next generation. In my career so far, I have found that I’ve been able to make a significant impact in the field of environmental sustainability as it is something that I feel passionate about.

At university, I studied engineering and then realised early in my career that my skills and interests did not fall into the traditional engineering fields. Working for multi-disciplinary consultancies provided an excellent opportunity to investigate different areas of expertise and then hone my experience in sustainability and energy.

How has being a CEnv benefitted you in your career?

Having the post-nominals CEnv after my name demonstrates my specialist knowledge and professional attitude that has benefitted my career prospects. It provides me a structured framework to keep up to date with the latest environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to ongoing learning.

Away from work, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m an avid horse rider and a supporter of natural horsemanship techniques. I love going on casual horse rides (also known as ‘hacking’) in the countryside, desert or wilderness; anywhere to escape the city. I also had the privilege of riding at an inspirational stable when living in Dubai, where I was introduced to track living and the concept of bitless and barefoot riding.

And finally, what one piece of advice would you give to an aspiring CEnv?

Use all the resources the Energy Institute has to offer and other online resources and make sure to ask for help if you are unsure how to approach gaining your chartership. Identify a mentor who has already gone through the chartership process!

For more information on EI Membership and Chartership, please visit: https://www.energyinst.org/membership-and-careers/membership