The Climate Leadership Academy offers ambitious councillors a unique coaching opportunity to develop their political skills, knowledge and confidence, in order to become leading climate pioneers in local government.
How does it work?
A cohort of 20 councillors will attend three tailored residential weekends with panels, workshops and coaching from experts in the private, voluntary, and public sectors. Participants will leave the course able to overcome the challenges in designing and delivering ambitious, local climate projects, to enable remarkable progress towards their organisation's Net Zero goals. The three residential weekends will take place between September - November 2023.
The course has been shaped and informed by an advisory board of local politicians who are well-established climate pioneers within local government. Some 95% of participants from the 2022 cohort agreed the content covered was relevant and they had learnt a lot they could apply in their council and local context.
The Climate Leadership Academy will take place over three residential weekends in three cities. The core dates are:
- Weekend 1 - September 2023
- Weekend 2 - October 2023
- Weekend 3 - November 2023
Sessions may include but are not limited to the following key policy areas and skills to develop skills and understanding of
- Decarbonising Homes and Buildings
- Decarbonising Transport
- Financing the transition
- Nature & Adaptation
- Energy
The programme will support applicants to develop the following skills and understanding:
- Decarbonising Homes and Buildings
- Decarbonising Transport
- Financing the transition
- Nature & Adaptation
- Energy
- Leadership skills
- Negotiation skills
- Engagement skills
- Understanding officer dynamics
- Political planning and stakeholder management
- Creating effective narratives and storytelling
Participants will:
- Attend three residential weekends with a competitively selected cohort of peers.
- Meet councillors from across the country and political spectrum, representing different tiers of local government.
- Be introduced to foundational principles and approaches to Net Zero in Local Government
- Learn from experts in the private, voluntary, and public sector
What will it cost?
- The cost of the programme is fully subsidised by UK100.
- Accommodation and meals will be provided by UK100 over the course of each weekend. Travel costs will need to be met by Councillors’ authorities.
Who should apply?
The Climate Leadership Academy aims to support and encourage councillors in leadership positions to be bold and ambitious climate pioneers - councillors may be in the cabinet or committee chairs. It is suitable for councillors in any tier, party or location in the UK. To apply for this programme your council must be a member of UK100.
How to apply?
Applications will open in May 2023 following local elections. To express your interest and ensure you are sent a direct reminder to apply, please complete this form.
FAQs
1. Who should apply?
The Climate Leadership Academy aims to support and encourage councillors in leadership positions to be bold and ambitious climate pioneers - councillors may be in the cabinet or committee chairs. It is suitable for councillors in any tier, party or location in the UK. To apply for this programme your council must be a member of UK100.
We will accept applications from multiple councillors from the same council, however, only one member from each council may be selected to take part.
2. How much does the course cost?
The course is fully funded by UK100 and free to applicants. We will cover your accommodation and food on the course. With travel costs to be met by your council.
3. What if I cannot attend all three weekends?
This is a mandatory requirement to be on the course. All applicants must commit to attending all three weekends of training. If you are unable to attend all three, unfortunately, you will not be able to take part.
4. How will I know if I am successful?
Once successful candidates have been selected, all applicants will be emailed directly using the email provided on the application form to inform them if they have been successful. Due to the volume of applicants, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
5. What if I am not selected to take part in the Climate Leadership Academy?
We expect the programme to be heavily oversubscribed, so we are unable to work with everyone who applies to be part of the Climate Leadership Academy in 2023. However, we aim to secure further funding to offer a third cohort of applicants the opportunity to take part in this training programme in 2024.
- If you have any queries please contact harriet.wadsworth@uk100.org
