Climate Change Learning

Building ESG: Small Business, Big Impact: How Carbon Accounting Can Boost Your Brand & Fight Climate Change ________________________________________ In today's world, consumers are increasingly interested in supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability. Demonstrating your commitment to environmental responsibility cannot only help you attract and retain customers, but also play a part in the fight against climate change. - What is Carbon Accounting? Carbon accounting, also known as greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, is the process of measuring and tracking your organization's greenhouse gas emissions. This includes both direct emissions from your own operations (e.g., energy use, fuel consumption), and indirect emissions from your supply chain and the use of your products (e.g., purchased materials, transportation). - Why is Carbon Accounting Important for Small Businesses? * Customer Demand: By implementing carbon accounting, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and gain a competitive edge. * Regulatory Compliance: As environmental regulations become more stringent, carbon accounting can help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure compliance with future regulations. * Cost Savings: Reducing your carbon footprint can also lead to cost savings. By identifying areas where you can improve energy efficiency or reduce waste, you can lower your operating costs. * Brand Reputation: Taking a proactive approach to sustainability can enhance your brand reputation and help you attract and retain top talent. - Getting Started with Carbon Accounting There are a number of resources available to help small businesses get started with carbon accounting. Here are a few steps you can take: 1. Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with the basics of carbon accounting and greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Inventory Your Emissions: Start by identifying and quantifying your organization's direct and indirect emissions. 3. Set Reduction Goals: Once you understand your baseline emissions, establish clear goals for reducing your carbon footprint. 4. Develop a Plan: Create a plan for how you will achieve your reduction goals. This may involve investing in energy efficiency measures, switching to renewable energy sources, or reducing waste. 5. Track Your Progress: Regularly monitor your emissions and track your progress towards your goals. What steps are you taking to reduce your small business's environmental impact? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Please click on the link below and feel free to share (Disclaimer: Views are personal, should not be related to organisations view) #buildingEsg #circulareconomy #sustainablefinance #esgreporting #esgstrategy #esgrisk #climaterisk #climatechangeaction #climaterisks #india #emissions #esgratings #esg #cop28 #greenertogether #SDGs #sustainability #business #csr

We’ve learnt a hell of a lot on our environmental journey from a standing start. We set out with small steps, in hindsight incorrect ones, like offsetting our impact without changing our operations. Over time, we focused more on reducing our indirect emissions by changing things like our energy, travel, and commuting practices. Now, our main emissions are within Scope 3, covering areas like ad platforms, suppliers, and systems. Key lessons from our journey include: 1️⃣ Start Small, Scale Up: We started with simple changes and gradually tackled bigger environmental challenges. 2️⃣ Comprehensive Audit: We regularly checked all parts of our business for their environmental impact. 3️⃣ Engage Suppliers: We worked with our suppliers to encourage them to be more sustainable. 4️⃣ Diverse and Local Sourcing: We trying to chose suppliers that were local, female-led, or minority-led in Essex, supporting diversity and the local community. 5️⃣ Conscious Consumption: We became more thoughtful in our purchases, like choosing stationery from a B Corporation and considering the environmental impact of our travel and hotel choices. There’s a lot more to do and we are learning all the time, but it does feel like we’ve made progress and moving in the right direction. What would you add? #bcorp #betterbusiness #environment

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐂𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐂𝐔 One of the most valuable lessons from my time in Japan was understanding how #finance and #market design make #carbon #capture and #utilisation (#CCS/#CCU) projects commercially viable. At the Global CCS Institute and in discussions with Japanese industry leaders, I saw how clear #policy signals and shared risk models attract private capital. #Japan’s approach combines government #subsidies, long-term #liability frameworks and predictable #regulations, creating the confidence needed for large-scale #investment. Typical full-chain CCS projects, covering capture, transport and storage, operate at an estimated cost of USD 50–120 per tonne of CO₂ captured, with pipeline transport and storage adding roughly USD 10–20 per tonne. Japan reduces that burden by blending public funding with private investment, allowing early projects to move forward while costs continue to fall. Beyond storage, the business model of carbon utilisation stood out. Companies such as Sumitomo Osaka Cement are transforming captured CO₂ into mineralised limestone products, turning a greenhouse gas into a source of revenue. This shift from liability to asset demonstrates how carbon management can create economic value while meeting climate targets. The key insight for me: finance and #technology must advance together. Technology proves that capture and utilisation work; finance and policy make them investable. Seeing this alignment in practice reinforced how critical market design is to turning ambitious climate goals into operating projects.

Fostering climate action with AI? IBM is investing $30m. 71% of business leaders anticipate a heightened emphasis on sustainability skills in hiring, and 92% plan to invest in sustainability training in the next year. Sustainability skills are in demand and so is the need for climate action. IBM recently announced the $30m investment to help bridge the skills gap and empower individuals to make a tangible impact on our planet. It includes two new initiatives: 1. IBM SkillsBuild- free sustainability courses designed by IBM experts in sustainability and technology fields. ⬜ The target is to skill 30 million people by 2030, with a focus on underrepresented communities. ⬜ It includes free training connecting technology to ecology and climate change and includes AI, cybersecurity, and ESG reporting. 2. IBM Sustainability Accelerator- a pro-bono program dedicated to supporting environmentally at-risk communities around the world. ⬜ 5 new projects focused on water management solutions in 🇦🇪 UAE, 🇮🇳 India, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 USA and 🇦🇺 Australia. ⬜ Projects target water access, quality, flood forecasting, and sanitation infrastructure planning. Sustainability and AI expertise are both key players in shaping our future. It's at that intersection we'll see even more great stuff happening. What do you think? ⭐ I'll include a link to the press release and learning in the comments. 👇 #IBM #AI #technology #Sustainability #TechForGood #futureleadership

💡 Sustainability experts don’t change product materials, redesign logistics routes, or source better suppliers. Our colleagues do. That’s why training should be at the very top of any sustainability agenda. The real results don’t come from us - they come from people across the business who understand their role in change. Here’s what I’ve learned about training colleagues in sustainability: ✔️ Don’t wait for permission — just start. Small sessions beat waiting for the perfect setup. ✔️ Keep it short. Never more than an hour. People lose focus, and the business can’t handle marathon sessions. ✔️ Time it right. Never train buyers during Christmas campaigns. If people are swamped, they can’t hear you. ✔️ Know your audience. Match the training to what the team is ready for - this requires knowing and respecting them. ✔️ Make it relevant. Show them why sustainability matters for the company and for them. Then operationalize it: clear steps, no grey zones. ✔️ Celebrate wins. We use a gold star system and hard data to show the results of their actions. Recognition is fuel. ✔️ Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Training needs to be a constant part of your job. Bonus tip: Spreadsheets don’t stick (with everyone). Stories do. Replace 12% reduction with a pile of plastic the size of an elephant - and watch people remember. Bonus tip: Make it two-way. Ask them why they care, what they worry about, what obstacles they face. The best sustainability solutions start with the people closest to the product or process. Training isn’t just “soft stuff.” It’s the foundation for measurable impact. Because without informed, empowered colleagues, even the best sustainability strategy stays on paper. 💭 How do you approach training your colleagues on sustainability? Any tips that worked in your organization? #SustainabilityTraining #ChangeManagement #EmployeeEngagement #SystemChange #FlyingTigerCopenhagen

Carbon projects – “a snapshot from the ground in SE Asia”. After spending the last few months in the field, the following are my key takeaways: o   For all the hype that seen on LinkedIn, relatively little money has trickled down to the ground level for project implementation. ARR is seeing some traction while REDD remains tough. Frustration is rife at the field level reading about all the high-profile conferences attended and funding “available” while seeing so little action where it really matters. o   The most depressing fact right now is the lack of interest in REDD+ projects. All science shows that we must save the existing forests as the number one priority. This is patently obvious when you spend time in the jungle. Due to bad press, a lack of understanding, and fear of greenwashing, investment for REDD remains mostly ‘just talk’. The losers from this are not the big corporates. The real losers are the forests and forest communities. To me, this is very sad.  o   New projects are finding implementation significantly more challenging than anticipated. I cannot emphasize this enough, but unless senior management have relevant forestry start-up experience, then key aspects get missed. o   There are some good ARR projects starting to come through. Where successful, the positive impact for communities is significant. It is hard work though. o   There are many new consultants entering the carbon sector. Beware of those who only have office-based experience. You cannot read a methodology and state that you understand carbon implementation. Simple mistakes are being made because people “don’t know what they don’t know”. o   Every project is unique. There are no “cookie cutter” solutions. I’ve in excess of 30 years experience and still need to study every project before starting to define baselines and how they should be managed.  o   Technical and managerial support from senior experienced consultants during start up and implementation is significantly helping projects to achieve targets and avoid costly mistakes. o   For ARR, it is essential that the first planting is successful and acts as a best practices example for subsequent work. Quality first, then quantity. o   Compromise is needed in ARR when selecting species. Financial reality means fast growing species first for sequestration then build biodiversity over time as the site allows. Each site requires a specific regime. Maximise ANR as much as possible. o   Stop looking for perfect projects. They don’t exist. This is why we have risk buffers and the more conservative approach in updated methodologies. o   I’ve met some NGO’s who can scale and manage significant projects. Please don’t shoot me for saying this, but there are even more that require significant technical / managerial support and time to scale. In most cases, they should definitely be part of carbon projects but design their roles for where they have the skills and capacity to achieve the targets to the required standards.

The sustainability resource map of The Institution of Structural Engineers contains more than 400 links to different forms of sustainability guidance - short articles, long-form guides, videos, training courses, and more. Topics covered are wide ranging, and include: 🌍Big picture sustainability 🔢Embodied carbon calculations 🧱Concrete, steel, timber, and other materials 🌿Lean design ♻️Circular economy and reuse 🗣Influencing the brief 📃Policy resources 🏢Project write-ups 👷Profiles of industry leaders 🌱Regenerative design Search with ctrl+F, and click the links to be taken to their download pages. We refreshed and re-checked every link at the start of this year. (And by 'we', I mostly mean the amazing Ben Tapley, with the help of the IStructE Sustainability Panel) CPD is mandatory at the IStructE, and from this year includes a requirement to report your sustainability learnings. I expect there's around 1000 hours of CPD in this PDF, so download it for free today (using the green button at the top of our climate emergency webpage: https://lnkd.in/d2S4QRPh) and get learning! #structuralengineers #engineers #engineering #climateemergency #netzero #climateaction #resources #CPD #learning #education

Upskilling for Sustainability: 10 Must-Take Courses for Reporting & Management As sustainability continues to take center stage in corporate strategy, the demand for skilled professionals in sustainability reporting and management is higher than ever. Whether you’re looking to build expertise in ESG reporting, decarbonization strategies, or sustainable supply chain management, these top-rated courses can help you stand out in the field: 1. Global Reporting Initiative (#GRI) Standards Certification Why it’s valuable: Offers in-depth knowledge of the GRI Standards, the most widely used framework for sustainability reporting. Provider: GRI Academy 2. SASB Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) Why it’s valuable: Teaches how to use #SASB Standards to improve ESG disclosures and connect sustainability with financial performance. Provider: Sustainability Accounting Standards Board 3. Corporate Sustainability Management: Risk, Profit, and Purpose Why it’s valuable: Explores the intersection of sustainability and business strategy, with practical tools to drive impact. Provider: Harvard Business School Online 4. Integrated Reporting Training Why it’s valuable: Focuses on creating integrated reports that connect financial and non-financial value creation. Provider: International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) 5. TCFD: Climate-Related Financial Risk Management Why it’s valuable: Covers the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework for managing and reporting climate risks. Provider: #TCFD Knowledge Hub 6. Circular Economy - Sustainable Materials Management Why it’s valuable: Provides insights into the circular economy model and its applications in resource management. Provider: Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Delft University of Technology 7. ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Certification Why it’s valuable: Equips professionals with the skills to implement and audit ISO 14001 for environmental management. Provider: Various ISO-certified trainers 8. Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certification Why it’s valuable: Focuses on assessing and managing climate-related risks in financial decision-making. Provider: Global Association of Risk Professionals (#GARP) 9. Sustainable Business Strategy Why it’s valuable: Explores strategies to build sustainable business models and foster systemic change. Provider: Harvard Business School Online 10. Foundations of ESG Investing Why it’s valuable: Offers an introduction to ESG factors and their integration into investment processes. Provider: CFA Institute Why These Courses Matter Each of these programs provides the tools and frameworks needed to succeed in sustainability-focused roles, from ESG analysts to sustainability managers. They’re ideal for professionals aiming to enhance their knowledge, upskill for a career transition, or stay ahead in this evolving field. #Sustainability #ESG #LifelongLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment

𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 A quick guide for professionals, students, and sustainability leaders. If you’re building your foundation—or helping others build theirs—in 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, 𝗘𝗦𝗚, 𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝘀 (𝗚𝗛𝗚) 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, here’s a curated set of globally recognized crash courses to get started. Fast. Focused. Practical. 💡🎓 These are the core pillars shaping how businesses, governments, and communities must operate in the face of a rapidly shifting climate and a fast-evolving ESG landscape. 𝟭. 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 Objective: Understand the science, causes, impacts, and global response to climate change. 🎓 Recommended Courses: ✅ UN CC: Learn – Climate Change https://lnkd.in/gxRrtN5i https://lnkd.in/gYhd9_UF ✅ FutureLearn – Climate Change: The Science https://lnkd.in/gPeVzSN3 𝟮. 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 Objective: Grasp how ESG integrates sustainability into strategy, operations, and disclosure. 🎓 Recommended Courses: ✅ GRI Academy – Intro to GRI Standards https://lnkd.in/gaZXwqHU https://lnkd.in/gpJSSwDX https://lnkd.in/gkNmN5a8 ✅ Harvard – Introduction to Business and Climate Change https://lnkd.in/gS8dhZXw 𝟯. 𝗚𝗛𝗚 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 Objective: Learn how to measure and report emissions using globally accepted standards. 🎓 Recommended Courses/Resources: ✅ GHG Protocol Online Training https://lnkd.in/gXCfZeWc ✅ Carbon Trust – Footprinting Guides https://lnkd.in/gCAjJDXf ✅ SME Climate Hub – Business Carbon Calculator https://lnkd.in/g2tGP6HH Let’s equip more people with the knowledge to lead wisely, act boldly, and make sustainability real — across sectors and generations. ♻️ 🤝 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: While some courses are free, some may require payment for certification or full access. #Sustainability #ClimateChange #ESG #GHGAccounting #PlanetaryHealth #Leadership #GRI #NetZero #GreenSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #FutureOfWork #SustainableBusiness #EnvironmentalReporting #SDGs