Engineers adept at developing and working on low-carbon technologies will from today be able to qualify as official Chartered Environmentalists following the launch of a new accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

The accreditation has been developed by the Society for the Environment, an umbrella body for sustainability professionals, and has been licensed for use by IMechE.

Any of IMechE's 75,000 members worldwide who can show "a demonstration of, and commitment to, sustainable environmental management and development" will be able to apply for Chartered Environmentalist status, although they will have to demonstrate considerable experience on green projects to qualify.

Eligibility is governed on a points-based system, which requires applicants to demonstrate both academic and/or workplace experience in the field of environmental projects.

Those wishing to qualify need to have attained 12 points with up to eight points available for various academic qualifications and 12 points on offer for those who can demonstrate 12 years of practical experience in the sector.

Applicants also have to "demonstrate knowledge of, competence in and engagement with sustainable management of the environment", and sign up to the Society for the Environment's code of ethics.

John Burlingham, Chartered Environmentalist project manager at the IMechE, said that the qualification would help engineers working in the cleantech sector stand out from the crowd, enhancing their career prospects in the process.

"Being a Chartered Environmentalist tells the world that you have attained the relevant competences over and above the mechanical engineering competences required for EngTech, IEng and CEng registration," he explained.