How do you create a climate change-ready culture?

Climate change risk and opportunities should be integrated in all parts of the business where decisions are made. On-going employee training is required, just as we require D&I training.

Understanding and quantifying your climate-related risks and opportunities is vital. Leveraging frameworks like TCFD and SBTi can guide your business toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future while aligning with global climate goals. This proactive approach is not just responsible but can also bring long-term benefits and resilience.

Establishing clear and actionable goals is pivotal for any organization aiming to make a tangible impact. These milestones not only guide our strategies but also give direction to our collective efforts. At Circle Economy Foundation, our goal is clear: Doubling global circularity in the next decade. With the current global rate at 7.2% circular, we envision a world at 17% circularity, where we can substantially curb global warming, enhance biodiversity, and promote cleaner air.

Setting clear, ambitious climate goals is not just a responsibility; it's an opportunity. Embracing science-based targets and initiatives like RE100 and EV100 shows commitment and leadership. Effective communication and transparent progress tracking can engage stakeholders, drive innovation, and create a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing world.

LEED Certification, B Corp Certification, Fair Trade Membership, UN Global Compact Membership help establish credibility, showcase adherence to environmental standards, and encourage ongoing improvement in sustainable practices.

In my perspective fostering a climate change-ready culture is not just a responsibility but a strategic imperative. By investing in green skills and knowledge through targeted upskilling initiatives, organizations can empower their workforce to adapt and thrive in the face of environmental challenges. This knowledge equips employees to implement sustainable practices, driving innovation and operational efficiency. Collaboration among diverse teams further amplifies these efforts, fostering a culture of creativity and problem-solving. Encouraging a mindset shift towards environmental consciousness, coupled with regenerative leadership, ensures long-term sustainability and enhances the organization's reputation.

Climate and sustainability literacy amongst your employees is essential to building a culture of sustainability in your company. In fact, a climate-literate workforce is fast becoming a prerequisite for success for the businesses of the future. Upskilling your colleagues with a solid grounding of sustainability topics and the risks and opportunities they present, inevitably extends to your customers. For instance, customers have become wary of vague claims like being "good for the planet", and will recognise the authenticity when your marketing team avoids greenwash.

Engaging employees and customers in climate change efforts is a win-win. It raises awareness, fosters a sense of shared purpose, and drives collective action. It's not just about your business being sustainable but about your community and planet being sustainable. When you involve people in your climate initiatives, you unlock a wealth of creativity, energy, and commitment.

Your audience, both your internal team as well as your external partners and consumers can be a momentum shifting secret to you sustainably success. By providing education, clear guidance around goals and opportunities for them to contribute feedback and suggestions around how sustainability can impact your organization you will harness the power of this individuals to create great impact as a team.

A learning environment should be created for individuals involved in this initiative. This should include training programs, mentorship opportunities, and incentives for climate crisis-focused intrapreneurial activities. The success of this project should also be monitored.

Collaboration is key to tackling climate change effectively. By working with others, you can leverage collective knowledge, resources, and influence to drive meaningful change. We're all in this together, and partnerships are the way forward to combat the climate crisis.

The value of aligning with partners and peers in your industry is sometimes overlooked, but can be an impactful opportunity to grow your climate change-ready culture in and out of your organization. There is also a great degree of impact that can be realized by finding micro communities that are well-regarded within your industry. You can empower the impact of your climate change culture by leveraging thought-partners and collaborators who you can share your goals and test your strategy, operations, and reporting with a global community that has a shared expectation for moving your climate change culture forward.

Innovation is at the heart of addressing climate change. Embracing new technologies and business models that are environmentally friendly not only helps combat climate change but can also lead to economic growth and competitive advantage. It's a win-win situation for businesses and the planet.