Now in its 25th year, IIEM25 brings together environmental leaders and practitioners from across the British Islands – including the Channel Islands, Isle of Scilly, Lundy, the Isle of Wight, Northern Ireland, and across Great Britain – to celebrate progress, share knowledge, and inspire more effective action for nature. This is the first time the congress will be held outside of the Channel Islands.
The 2025 theme, “Collaboration for Greater Impact,” reflects a growing momentum to build alliances across sectors to address the twin climate and biodiversity crises.
Over 120 participants are expected to attend, representing government bodies, environmental NGOs, academia, and – for the first time – a significant presence from business and industry, with a special focus on how conservation and enterprise can work together for mutual benefit.
“We’re bringing together forward-thinking people from conservation, science, and industry to explore what becomes possible when expertise and resources are aligned,” says Graham Makepeace-Warne, CEO of Manx Wildlife Trust.
“With speakers from leading nature conservation projects and experts addressing the critical environmental and scientific challenges of our time, alongside a new focus on business–nature collaboration, this event is about more than sharing knowledge — it’s about building a better future, where nature and people both thrive.”
The event will open with remarks from His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, and close with comments from Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK.
A new addition to the programme, developed under the leadership of MWT’s CEO Graham Makepeace-Warne, is a third day dedicated to business–nature partnerships, including sessions on green finance, Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) innovation, and case studies from corporate–conservation collaborations. This will include Eco-Match: Enabling Corporate Partnerships for Conservation, a friendly pitch-style showcase where selected environmental projects present to a panel of potential corporate partners in a bid to secure seed funding and support. Biosphere Youth Representatives will also facilitate a visioning session for participants.
The main event sponsor is Visit Isle of Man.
“We are delighted to support MWT in welcoming the IIEM25 conference to the Isle of Man. Eco-tourism, whether that be for business or leisure purposes, is a fundamental part of Visit Isle of Mans’ ‘Our Island, Our Future’ 2022-2032 strategy, this conference will truly showcase the opportunities for collaboration across all aspects of community and culture, the economy and nature, in an amazing only whole nation UNESCO Biosphere setting” comments Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man.
The event is further supported by Taxa Genomics, Appleby, Lloyds Bank, and Conister Bank, whose backing reflects a shared belief in the potential for partnership between environmental goals and sustainable economic development.
Throughout the three days, the event will feature talks, panels, networking, a reception at Government House and a selection of field trips exploring Manx nature and culture, highlighting the Island’s diverse ecosystems and role as the world’s only whole nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.