Climate Ambassadors: Empower Your Workforce, Inspire Future Generations

As someone reading an Aldersgate Group blog, it’s highly likely you are already deeply committed to sustainability and the role businesses can play in driving positive environmental change. While the urgency to act on the climate and nature crises is clear, there is also a critical need to prepare future generations with the knowledge, skills, and determination to continue this work. The Climate Ambassadors scheme offers a tangible way for organisations to contribute to this essential task, while also engaging and empowering their workforce.

Why Education Matters to Business

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to drive meaningful change. For employers, the benefits of investing in education are twofold. As outlined in the 2020 Aldersgate Group policy briefing Upskilling the UK workforce for the 21st century, by shaping the minds of young people today, we help cultivate the future workforce. We know organisations already need employees who are equipped with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for navigating a sustainable economy. This not only ensures that businesses have access to a pool of talented, environmentally-conscious individuals but also helps future-proof industries as they adapt to green practices and innovation.

Second, the education sector itself is a significant environmental stakeholder, with an estate collectively twice the size of Birmingham. Decisions made within this sector—ranging from energy use to waste management—can have a profound impact on carbon reduction and biodiversity enhancement. By engaging with the education sector, employers can influence these decisions, promoting sustainability at a large scale.

Moreover, nearly everyone in society has some connection to an education setting—whether through proximity, family, or personal experience. This widespread reach provides a unique opportunity to engage with communities, demonstrate corporate social responsibility and fosteri a deeper connection with the public.

Turning Climate Ambition into Corporate Action

In 2021, the Department for Education launched its inaugural Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. As part of implementing this strategy, a consortium co-lead by the University of Reading and EAUC, has been commissioned to deliver the Climate Ambassadors programme. The Aldersgate Group has also contributed to ensure the scheme is well suited to its members needs, through its voice on the project’s steering group.

The programme supports educational settings across England—from nurseries to further education colleges—in developing and implementing meaningful climate action plans (CAPs) focused on four key areas:

• Decarbonisation
• Adaptation and resilience
• Nature and biodiversity
• Climate Education and Green Skills

For businesses, this represents a unique opportunity for employees to engage in impactful, skill-based volunteering. By participating in the Climate Ambassadors programme, an organisation can not only support the next generation of environmental leaders but also demonstrate a commitment to social value and sustainability.

Why Get Involved?

Climate Ambassadors offers a structured way for businesses and other organisations to:

• Empower employees: Engage your whole workforce in meaningful volunteer opportunities that utilise their expertise and passion for sustainability, while contributing to their professional development.
• Develop workforces: All Climate Ambassadors are given training on climate essentials, systems change and working with education settings.
• Demonstrate social value: Show your commitment to the communities you serve by actively supporting education settings in their sustainability journeys.
• Foster leadership: Develop sustainability and climate leadership skills within your organisation by involving staff in training and activities that enhance their understanding of climate action and systems change.
• Make a tangible impact: See the results of your efforts as your employees’ advice and ideas are put into practice within education settings, helping to shape a more sustainable future.

Engage Your Organisation Today

For organisations interested in exploring partnership opportunities with the Climate Ambassadors programme, we invite you to reach out directly through the Climate Ambassadors website.

Whether you are looking to enhance your social value initiatives, engage your employees in sustainability-focused volunteering, or simply make a difference, Climate Ambassadors offers a pathway to achieving these goals while contributing to the urgent task of equipping the next generation with the tools they need to lead on sustainability.

Charlotte Bonner is CEO at EAUC and Co-Lead for Climate Ambassadors.