The introduction of the Environmental Professionals Council of Zimbabwe (EPCOZ) brings a series of benefits to a number of stakeholders which include the government, employers, clients as well as the profession itself. When you or your employee is certified as a member of the Council, he/she will be able to tap into the experience and expertise of hundreds of other environmental and natural resource professionals – environmental scientists, environmentalists, geo-scientists, environmental engineers, cultural specialists, ecologists, hazardous materials managers, ecosystem restorers, and others. In addition, there will be opportunities for professional growth and recognition, which ultimately benefit individual professionals and organisations that they work for. It is therefore of paramount importance to understand that EPCOZ has a significant role in bringing professionalism in the work that environmental organisations will be involved in. The following stakeholders are deriving the stated benefits;

1 To organisations employing environmental professionals
•   Enhances confidence in the knowledge, skills and accomplishments of your employees,
•    Increases organisation’s ability to bill employees out at higher rates,
•    Strengthens organisation’s technical capacity leading to increased value for customers,
•    Demonstrates the depth of technical skills available to prospective customers and the public,
•    Increases technical credibility of the firm,
•    Reduces professional liability insurance costs and improves corporate image,
•    EPCOZ accreditation improves the organisation’s access to online educational resources and free marketing on EPCOZ website.
•    Increase chances for nominations for Environmental Excellence Awards (EEAs).

2 To individual professionals
•    Increases marketability and career opportunities,
•    Confirms and validates professional skills,
•    Enhances networking opportunities,
•    Affirms commitment to code of ethics,
•    Allows user to perform professional services and seal work products,
•    Gives a Personal sense of achievement,
•    Increase chances for nominations for Environmental Excellence Awards (EEAs),
•    Exclusive access to online resources,
•    Networking opportunities through regular workshops and professional development trainings
•    Education – provision of seminars, workshops, breakout sessions at conference and marketing of one’s services and professional experience on media platforms,
•    Priority registration for conventions at discounted rates,
•    Access to formal coaching or mentoring relationships with more experienced business people, provision of guidance and useful insights,
•    Enhanced access to environmental scholarships and professional development.

3 To organisations engaging accredited professional individuals and firms
•    Assures confidence in the professional's services addressing a broad array of environmental planning, analysis, education and documentation,
•    Provides an assurance of engaging competent environmental professionals,
•    Stronger technical defence in case of lawsuits,
•    Guarantees a platform to air grievances on professional malpractice,
•    Guarantees value for money when EPCOZ accredited organisations and engaged.

CONCLUSION
In closure, it’s important to realise that the coming in of EPCOZ has a number of significant benefits to all the stakeholders in the environmental sector and the economy at large. With the rampant deterioration of our environment as a result of destruction of wetlands, unabated air pollution, water pollution and the growing need by the nation to achieve environmental Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is need for EPCOZ to be given the chance to bring sanity by giving out well-cultured and professional environmental professionals. Therefore, the strengthening of the professionalism that can be brought about by EPCOZ is a necessity.