The importance of supporting public sector leaders and staff on climate action was recognised in the Scottish Government consultation in 2019 and the consultation responses. Climate change is the responsibility of all and needs to be part of all roles, not just environmental/ sustainability leads. Therefore both leadership and role specific training is very important to ensure staff are confident in climate action and what they need to do.
There are many external training courses that focus on the climate emergency and carbon literacy listed below:
Training Opportunities for Senior Managers, Chief Executive Officers and Elected Members
The following training opportunities are aimed at senior staff within an organisation.
Provider: The Royal Scottish Geographical Society
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Climate Solutions qualification was launched in 2020 helping organisations embed climate change action at the level where it can achieve the most significant impact. The focus is on identifying and delivering on specific actions and commitments, both organisational and personal, to reduce carbon emissions. Check out the 'Accelerator 90 min course' for managers and the 'Professional course'.
Provider: Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)
APSE offers training courses for a range of roles e.g. Elected Members, Leaders, Managers, trainers etc. Click here for on-line training. Current courses include
Training Opportunities for Specialist Staff
The following training opportunities are aimed at staff with a specialist role within an organisation e.g. a Planner, a Procurement officer. Project Manager, Training officers etc. Such roles have an important part to play in policy development and implementation, project delivery and personal development.
Provider: Scottish Government
Training for Procurement Professionals is free to all public sector employees on the Scottish Government Sustainable Procurement Tools website. To access the tools you need to register and log-in thereafter. It has a bias towards Scope 3 emissions as it is geared towards procurement professionals as its primary audience. However an increasing number of organisations are using it with their wider staff.
Provider: The Royal Scottish Geographical Society
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Climate Solutions qualification was launched in 2020 helping organisations embed climate change action at the level where it can achieve the most significant impact. The focus is on identifying and delivering on specific actions and commitments, both organisational and personal, to reduce carbon emissions.
Provider: Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)
APSE offers training courses for a range of roles e.g. Elected Members, Leaders, Managers, trainers etc. Click here for on-line training. Current courses include
Provider: On-line THE SUPPLY CHANGE SUSTAINABILITY SCHOOL
The School is completely FREE and allows you to access training in 5 different areas Sustainability, Offsite, BIM, Lean and Management and offers you the opportunity to attend training and networking events, gain CPD points, complete a self assessment and get a bespoke action plan, complete e-learning modules and various training resources.
Provider: Scottish Enterprise
New resources and support from Scottish Enterprise, including support with developing sustainability plans, a new Net Zero Accelerator Tool, and links to support for business.
Training for Practitioners
The following training opportunities are aimed at staff who are keen to know more about climate change, the climate emergency and net zero and are interested in career/personal development.
Provider: University of Glasgow (Upskilling Portfolio)
The Upskilling Course Portfolio has been designed to equip you with in-demand skills and tools for your career development.There are about 200 fully-funded places available on each course (worth £799 or £399 for the 5 week long course), for learners domiciled in Scotland. These places are allocated by the Upskilling team on a first-come-first-served basis, with priority first being given to learners who are unemployed or concerned about their job security.There are 2 courses relating to Climate Change & Carbon:
- Systems Thinking: Climate Change & Sustainable Decision making
- Climate & Carbon Literacy: Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint at work and home
Useful Resources
Scottish Cities Alliance - Carbon Literacy for elected members
An informative video setting out the role of the 3 organisations and testimonials for elected members who participated in the training.
The Supply Change Sustainability School
The School is completely FREE and allows you to access training in 5 different areas Sustainability, Offsite, BIM, Lean and Management and offers you the opportunity to attend our training and networking events, gain CPD points, complete a self assessment and get a bespoke action plan, complete e-learning modules and various training resources.
Climate Fresk
This is similar to the Climate Conversations approach with a card game workshop format with a strong focus on action. It is suitable for those with little or no carbon knowledge to those with a good understanding of carbon issues.
Climate Conversations
A facilitated group that explores the four key aspects of a personal carbon footprint - home energy, travel, food and other consumption and feelings around climate change, carbon reduction and the impact on relationships with family, friends and colleagues of taking climate change seriously.