However, we also get to write about the inspiring schemes and initiatives taking place to further that net zero agenda, and the passionate people driving them forward.
Because it’s the people who will ultimately be key to our success in saving the planet.
It might sound trite, but a challenge of this scale really can only be achieved by everyone working together towards common goals.
One of the schemes we’ve recently learned about focuses on just that – people – and, more specifically, on the leaders who can drive positive change for businesses and the environment.
A group of forward-thinking individuals have come together to create the Future Leaders Programme, a nine-month course designed to equip current and future leaders with the essential skills they need to thrive in a world moving towards net zero.
It provides organisations with climate- savvy leaders, who will think differently, with different values, and who will be able to make knowledgeable decisions for the long-term.
The founding members of the Future Leaders Programme are MCS chief executive, Ian Rippin, leadership development specialist, Richard Cartlidge, and Greater Manchester Police chief resources officer, Lee Rawlinson.
They wanted to help people become effective, empowering and emotionally- intelligent leaders while creating a cross-sector network of net zero trailblazers.
Cohorts work together with peers from a range of organisations through teaching methods including one-to-one coaching with certified coaches, specialist expert facilitators, industry mentors, experiential workshops, a three-day retreat, a suite of learning materials and collaboration on a real project.
An army of net zero ready leaders
More than 60 individuals have completed the course so far, but Ian and Richard are on a mission to create an army of at least 1,000 net zero ready leaders by 2030.
And they’re definitely doing something right, with one recent participant describing the programme as ‘the single-most impactful experience of my personal and professional life so far’.
Ian said: “The net zero challenge is a huge one, and it’s going to require effective leaders working together across all industries and sectors. As founders, we realised that we’d be into our 80s by 2050 so it’s time to act now by supporting and equipping the leaders who are going to be taking us into that new net zero era.
“This programme teaches leadership skills together with a focus on the climate agenda. Students work collaboratively on a six-month net zero focused project. Some of their ideas have been phenomenal and have had the potential to be worked up into businesses.
“We’ve had great success so far and we’re now looking for more employers to support their emerging leaders through the programme.”
Richard added: “Personally I am thrilled at how well the Future Leaders Programme has been received by participants and their employers. The USPs of the programme, such as the project phase and inclusion from such diverse backgrounds, really set it apart.
“We quickly create an intimate and safe learning environment that offers many perspectives for participants and the highlight is always the strategy retreat – a three day residential. We have seen individuals enjoy promotions, personal fulfilment, improved self- esteem, greater confidence and much more.
“It is a privilege to work with this talent and truly unlock their potential, their belief and their passion to make a difference.”
A variety of companies have so far supported the programme, either by putting candidates forward, or through sponsorship.
These include Balfour Beatty, BA Hydro Solutions, Ogilvy, DESNZ, MCS, the Environment Agency, National Grid, Renewable Energy Assurance, Sustainable Energy Association,
TrustMark, DPS Group, The British Board of Agrément, OFTEC, UKSA, NAPIT, NICEIC, Compass Building & Construction Services, HPA, HPF, Installer, Corgi, Actuate UK and APHC (to name just a few!).
What the participants say: ‘The single-most impactful experience of my personal and professional life so far’
Jenny Russon, MCS Charitable Foundation
What’s your background?
I studied French for my undergraduate degree at the University of Leeds, as I had always been interested in learning about people, language, and cultures.
Whilst I absolutely loved my undergraduate degree, I realised I wanted to focus my life around fighting to create a sustainable society. I also missed the more scientific subjects, having studied both maths and biology at A-level. After extensively travelling and working abroad, I decided to study an MSc at UEA in Environmental Sciences.
In my MSc dissertation, I compared heat pump diffusion in France and the UK since 2008 and interviewed both French and English stakeholders.
The study aimed to identify lessons that could be learnt from France’s heat pump success. This
sparked a deeper interest in this subject area and so I decided to apply for an internship at MCS Charitable Foundation to try and bring about positive change in this ever-important sector.
What do you think is the key to a sustainable future?
Achieving a sustainable future is such a complex task that I would suggest it requires a complete rethinking of how we approach things. Of course, this is in regard to the technologies we use, but also a change in our behaviour as a society. We need to move away from being a consumerist and throwaway society, towards a more circular society that values the planet we exist on.
We need to change the way we eat, travel, generate electricity, farm, and build homes. Essentially, it requires systematic change and strong government intervention to ensure that the transition is at the pace and scale needed for a sustainable future.
What have you learned from taking part in the programme?
I have gained valuable insight from each of the three pillars that make up this programme and I will probably be consulting my‘blue brain’, aka snazzy notebook, for years to come. The Foundation part of the course was all about the practical tools and tricks to learn how to make capacity, practice self-awareness, and empower others.
These are skills that I have already benefited from and intend to use for the rest of my career.
The Application part of the course was a chance to practice these skills in real life and this was a lot more challenging, especially when it came to making capacity. The project taught me that learning these techniques is not something static, but something that I will have to continue to practice in order to make a habit.
The Aspiration stage for me has been all about the people. I feel so grateful to have already met so many wonderful and empowering leaders through this experience. It has consolidated my belief that the net zero challenge is all about collaboration and bringing people together. I have confidence that together we will bring about the positive change needed to achieve net zero.
Iqra Tabassum, University of Bradford, Union of Students
What’s your background?
I am currently an elected sabbatical officer at the University of Bradford with my role within the team being Education Officer. I have been in position since the summer of 2022 and I have been re-elected so that I can be in office for a total of two years.
I have a first-class honour in Civil & Structural Engineering and am the recipient of multiple prizes including the Civil Engineering Department Project Oral Prize and the Bradford Soroptimist Leadership Prize award for my outstanding contribution to University/Community life.
Alongside my role of Education Officer, I take lead on events focusing on female empowerment and safety and I also like to play a role in organising and executing large social events and gatherings that the union hosts.
What do you think is the key to a sustainable future?
Education – teaching people how ‘small’ changes we make to our lifestyles and daily practices can create significant change. But also acknowledging that we can be a part of bigger changes to be made for a sustainable future.
What have you learned from taking part in the programme?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of the Future Leaders Programme. It has significantly contributed to my professional development, and the invaluable lessons I’ve learned from Rich and the team will stay with me for life. I greatly appreciate tailored educational experiences, and this course excels in that regard.
The course is remarkably inclusive, and Rich, along with the delivery team, excels at addressing the unique needs of each participant.
To truly benefit from this program, it requires a commitment of time and energy. It’s incredibly important to set aside dedicated time to work on this course, as the effort you invest directly correlates with the impact you experience. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Ben Copson, Sustainable Energy Association
What’s your background?
Having graduated from Cardiff University’s Environmental Geography programme in 2020, I sought to find a job in the sector through the thick of the Covid 19 pandemic. After a degrading year and a half, and over 500 applications, I finally landed a rewarding position in the consultancy Gemserv, as a Policy Analyst.
Based in their Birmingham office, I transitioned not long after into one of their trade associations, the Sustainable Energy Association, as a Policy Advisor – a more public-affairs-based role – where I work happily and successfully today.
What do you think is the key to a sustainable future?
Evidence and collaboration. The baseline for a sustainable future is robust, rigorously tested and proven data, which is used to inform the ‘best’ pathway to remediating climate change. We need to continue our study of climate change and its affects, and more sensibly, calmly and professionally plot out what actions we need to take, by when, to transition our world to a more sustainable one.
Then, as a planet, we need to be joining up our thinking, direction and decision making, providing more equitable solutions for nations unable to transition and invest at the scale of others. As nations, we need to be leading citizens, organisations, and stakeholders in the right, unified direction: meaning coherent leadership and informed action from government’s, which guide individual initiative and delivery. As people, we need to be sharing learning and best practice, learning how to collaborate and do things together better, and leading action.
What have you learned from taking part in the programme?
The privilege that is the Future Leaders Programme stands out as one of the single- most impactful experiences of my personal and professional life so far.
No other training I have received has created as much of a personable and tailored experience as FLP does. From the regular contact with fellow course- mates and tutors, to the bespoke journey afforded to you by the course design, and cerebral learning of coasteering, ‘Lego Serious Play’, and many guided workshops, this course has nailed the outcome of value for time and money.
My experience from FLP has fundamentally changed the way I think about my life and approach my career. I have also made profound relationships with those I shared the time with. I believe that this level of insight and development should be a staple for any business, not only looking to give its employees a head start on the journey to leadership, but also to grow more well-rounded and skilled people overall.”
Harry Bowles, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
What’s your background?
I studied Politics and International Relations at university and wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do. I landed an internship as part of the organising team for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Cabinet Office and started a career in government from there.
I now work as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. I previously worked as Senior National Account Manager in DWP, leading the Green Jobs Champions Network, covering 37 UK districts for the department. This was an incredibly interesting role and opened my eyes on how far we need to go to prepare people and professions for the essential net zero transition.
What do you think is the key to a sustainable future?
Partnerships and meaningful collaboration between civil society, international/national/local government(s), business and youth will be essential to meet our legally binding net zero commitment by 2050.
I believe the role the labour market will play in delivering net zero is often overlooked. While innovation and investment are essential to accelerate action, a highly skilled workforce to bring this to fruition is paramount to success. We need people equipped with knowledge on how to decarbonise their community, industry and workplace and inspire others on the benefits of a low carbon society. This means we all have a role to play individually and collectively.
What have you learned from taking part in the programme?
The FLP has profoundly changed the way I see the world and understand myself. The retreat was one of the most enjoyable few days of my life and spending most of it outdoors meant I almost forgot that learning and developing isn’t confined to a desk or classroom. Much of my professional experience thus far has come from working in hybrid environments due to Covid. This has meant I have defaulted to being slightly more cold and less personable due to the inability to engage in person and sometimes being completely remote.
This course has allowed us to engage face-to-face and virtually through vulnerable and enthralling sessions. I have learned immense amounts from the subject matter experts, from my course mates and buckets about myself. The ability to spot positive and negative patterns in others is useful but being able to understand this about yourself requires real humility and self-awareness and the course pushes this, especially via the emotional intelligence module.
I struggled for time and capacity with the application phase but the course has come at an important time in my development journey and equipped me with skills for life.
Hannah Thompson, NAPIT
What’s your background?
I am Marketing Manager at NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers). I have worked at NAPIT for six months now, and before that worked in various other marketing roles within various industries spanning from cuddly toy manufacturers to a disaster recovery and restoration franchisor (and a few different industries in between).
Before starting my career in marketing, I have trained all of my life as a professional dancer, so performing under the spotlight isn’t something I shy away from! I also like that I can take the creativity of performance into my work in marketing.
What do you think is the key to a sustainable future?
The keys to building a sustainable future lies in allowing individual creativity and discovery in new technologies. Giving a voice to the new generations and nurturing the discovery of new technologies. Whilst also educating consumers to allow the embracing of change and promoting the philosophy of ‘being the change you want to see in the world’.
What have you learned from taking part in the programme?
It is hard to put into words the skills being part of this course has instilled in me as a manager, colleague, mother, partner, friend and person that wants to contribute positively to those around me. In honesty the course is what you make of it, the knowledge and skills shared are second to none, but how this is implemented is fully dependent on you.
For those considering or preparing to develop themselves and partake in this course, I would say be honest, be open and be willing and the change it can make is limitless.
Alongside learning some fantastic skills, you will also meet some brilliant like-minded individuals, some influential experts in their fields of work and the wonderful Rich who will blow you away with his wonderfully calming green energy (all will become clear on the course).
To find out more about the programme, to sponsor an individual, or to join the next cohort, visit www.yournavigator.co.uk/ future-leaders-programme.
Image credit: Future Leaders Programme
