7 ways the ICE is delivering better outcomes for society

The ICE was the only professional engineering institution in the UK to have grown its membership for eight successive years.

In 2023, it welcomed about 1,500 more members, reaching a total of more than 97,000.

What’s encouraging so many people to call the ICE their professional home?

Let us count the ways the ICE continues to create value for its members to ensure we have the infrastructure we need to thrive.

1. Celebrating diversity

The skills needed for working on infrastructure projects are rapidly evolving, and to adapt, the ICE qualified Chris Landsburgh as the first-ever Chartered Infrastructure Engineer in 2023.

The new title acknowledges that to build a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable world, industry professionals will need to be working across multiple disciplines.

The ICE continued to encourage more women to become leaders in 2023 through the ICE Connects: Women in Fellowship programme with several high-profile events having taken place throughout the year.

There was a 13% increase in female Fellows in 2023, contributing to an overall increase of 33% since the initiative began in 2021.

Our popular community blog hosted a series of features to share the diverse lived experiences of people in our industry.

The ICE also organised events on neurodiversity, race and ethnicity in the industry, and for Black History Month.

2. Providing platforms to share knowledge

The ICE’s Knowledge Hub provides members with original continuing professional development (CPD) content in a range of formats, such as podcasts, videos, and written explainers.

In 2023, the ICE moved to a new platform designed to create a richer digital experience.

To support members through their initial professional development (IPD), the institution launched a mentoring platform that matches graduates on training agreements with company or ICE mentors.

It provides access to professionally qualified members who can mentor those seeking middle-to-senior positions as well.

The ICE also collaborated with the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) on a higher-risk buildings register for those with responsibility for working on buildings above 18 metres tall.

3. Helping reduce carbon emissions

In 2023, the ICE partnered with the Green Construction Board and sponsored standards body BSI to publish a revised PAS 2080 standard on managing carbon in buildings and infrastructure.

With actionable steps and guidance, the standard’s aim is to empower the industry globally to reduce carbon emissions and help reach net zero.

Thanks to the ICE’s support, PAS 2080:2023 is available free of charge.

The Carbon Champions programme expanded, with 63 champions working across 17 projects that are leading the way in quantifiably reducing carbon.

The ICE has also been working on reducing its own carbon footprint.

4. Helping the industry prepare for climate change

In 2023, the ICE urged those in the sector to address the interlinked climate change and biodiversity crises.

It hosted a Knowledge Café to discuss the barriers we need to overcome to deliver more nature- and people-positive solutions.

This became Prof Anusha Shah’s theme for her presidential year, focusing on working collaboratively across sectors, geographies, and generations.

In a demonstration of collaboration, almost 400 people from industry and academia gathered at the ICE’s Coasts, Marine Structures and Breakwaters event.

The conference focused on how the maritime sector can be more resilient and adaptable to the effects of climate change.

And building on the success of Carbon Champions, the ICE launched the Resilience Champions programme – with the first champions announced earlier this week.

5. Sharing what civil and infrastructure engineering is all about

In 2023, there were 259 STEM ambassador visits to schools - with ICE volunteers sharing what it's like to work in the industry.

With the hope of reaching even more members of the public, the ICE’s Time is Running Out (TIRO) exhibition continued to tour around the UK.

TIRO explores the role of civil engineers in responding to the challenges of climate change and meeting our net zero targets.

The ICE also works with its members to provide expert commentary to the media on infrastructure issues. Notable appearances in 2023 include the BBC, The Guardian, iNews, and The Independent.

In 2023, 1,515 students participated in CityZen, the ICE’s digital game aimed at schoolchildren (aged 16-18) that promotes civil engineering careers.

The ICE was delighted to be named a winner at the Learning Technology Awards 2023 and the 2024 BETT Awards.

And, to inspire girls to explore the world of civil engineering and STEM, the ICE and three Girlguiding regions set up a new partnership.

Find out more about what civil engineers do

6. Influencing global decisions about the built environment

In 2023, the ICE-led Enabling Better Infrastructure (EBI) programme continued to support governments in improving how infrastructure is planned so that it delivers benefits for people and the planet.

The ICE also held a strategy webinar with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which explored how tools like EBI can help deliver more sustainable infrastructure.

The ICE also published a paper on how the government can support the public in making changes to their behaviour to help reach net zero.

ICE Policy Fellows

Policy Fellows act as the face of the institution when engaging with policy and decision-makers, helping us to develop effective infrastructure policy.

Find out more

7. Helping members transform infrastructure productivity

In 2020, the UK’s first National Infrastructure Strategy included the requirement that all projects were to have a board-level design champion in place by the end of 2021.

To help develop this role, the ICE commissioned research that was then included in the UK National Infrastructure Commission’s second National Infrastructure Assessment.

The ICE also published a new guide providing practical advice for boosting productivity across the infrastructure lifecycle.

Read the 2023 annual report to find out more about how the ICE is supporting you and your industry to deliver better outcomes for society.