Climate education has become increasingly relevant for businesses as governments around the world increase their focus on climate policies and regulations.
In order to get and stay ahead, companies must be able to identify the systemic adjustments that are needed to tackle climate change. In turn, employees must also understand how to apply climate intelligence to everyday business decisions.
Sometimes, reaching all employees with climate education can be challenging due to resource and time constraints. But in order for businesses to do better, they must know better, which is why climate education is key. Here are the top ways that climate education can help your company:
It can impact your business’ continuity plans
If businesses want to remain viable in the long term, they must comply with new government mandates and industry best practices. This is where climate education comes into play.
In order for businesses to be climate-resilient, corporate leaders and workers need to stay up-to-date on the latest climate change and policy developments. Climate education must also be implemented consistently in companies’ learning and development programs to help them take full advantage of climate-related opportunities and advancements.
For instance, in April 2021 , US President Joe Biden announced a new national target to achieve a 50 to 52% reduction in GHG emissions relative to 2005 levels by 2030. With this date quickly approaching, businesses that support the target must implement changes soon.
It helps companies identify risks, opportunities
Climate education can highlight climate risks and opportunities that are material to businesses’ operations and can pinpoint areas in which companies can grow and develop.
For example, technology conglomerate Siemens identified and leveraged a core climate opportunity by merging its wind energy business with Spanish firm Gamesa in 2016 to create Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. The merged company now produces wind-powered turbines and is leading the way as a renewable energy provider.
By changing the direction of its business plans, Siemens is investing in future-proofing its growth to stay relevant and successful in a net-zero economy.
It can help change behaviors, mindsets
Climate education does more than just inform; it enables people to change their fundamental behaviors, perspectives, and mindsets.
When climate education is widely practiced throughout a business, it can help to convince people to plan and take action to adapt to climate change and mitigate risks.
Informing people about the dangers of climate change and the need for action can also motivate those who are disinterested to change their behaviors and to fully support company initiatives focused on climate resilience.
It helps businesses report climate-related activities
Climate reporting frameworks, like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), are increasingly showing up as global best practices to help standardize climate-related disclosures.
Governments across New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK, and China have already announced moves to mandate TCFD-aligned reporting for organizations. Canada has mandated TCFD-aligned disclosures for Crown corporations and has also released a draft proposal for a consultation to make this compulsory for publicly-traded companies too. In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced plans to issue regulations on mandatory climate-related disclosures for public companies in 2021.
Now more than ever, businesses are being asked to report on their internal climate-related practices as countries transition toward low-carbon economies. In order to keep up with these constant waves of changes, businesses must be educated on these reporting frameworks requirements.
How Manifest Climate can help
At Manifest Climate, we can help you get on track. We offer climate education through our Learn module, with specific courses on Climate Basics, TCFD 101, and Climate Governance. Climate Basics cover everything you need to know about the fundamentals of climate change, which includes climate science, the role of businesses, and the role of governments. TCFD 101 is a TCFD primer that teaches the basic fundamentals of the framework, how you can get started on the TCFD, and how you can disclose better. Climate Governance sets the foundation for the successful integration of climate considerations throughout an organization and outlines the characteristics of good climate governance.
These courses use case studies from actual organizations to bring theory to life. They are created using our deep expertise in delivering climate education to large institutions and experience helping companies build climate competency. The courses are available online 24/7 so you can decide where and when you want to learn.
In addition, our Market Intelligence module provides comprehensive coverage and independent analysis of key climate trends based on news and analysis from more than 370,000 trusted global outlets. This allows businesses to stay up-to-date on the most relevant climate-related news and gain decision-useful insights. Market Intelligence also provides benchmarks on the climate-related performance of sector peers and climate leaders.
Get ready to reduce corporate training costs, accelerate the climate learning curve for new hires, and stay up-to-date on new climate developments. No matter what your climate education needs, we’ve got you covered. To learn more about our educational and market intelligence tools, click here.
