Climate Leadership Programme Pilots Across Seven Regions

The pilot phase of the CLP sought to engage 50 climate leaders per region, aiming to build leadership capacities crucial for achieving ambitious climate goals. However, the actual engagement surpassed expectations, with 88 leaders participating across the regions. This article delves into the execution and outcomes of the CLP pilot, highlighting regional variations, key insights, and recommendations for the full-scale rollout.

Regional Implementation of the Climate Leadership Programme

Ireland

In Ireland, the CLP pilot engaged 8 participants from Tipperary County Council, including a diverse group of councillors and senior engineers. The programme consisted of physical and online workshops focusing on climate leadership and neutrality. The participants successfully developed three Climate Neutrality Roadmaps (CNRs).

Slovenia

Slovenia’s CLP pilot, managed by ENERGAP, saw variable participation from 15 to over 40 leaders across different sessions. The workshops, held in Selnica ob Dravi and Maribor, addressed climate change, legal frameworks, and stakeholder involvement. Three CNRs were produced, reflecting the programme’s comprehensive approach.

France

In France, AURA-EE facilitated the CLP with 14 participants, including elected officials and regional support staff. The training was segmented into sessions for current and emerging leaders, promoting both expert involvement and collaborative learning. The programme generated four CNRs, emphasizing both leadership and resource sharing.

Austria

Austria’s ESV saw participation from 11 leaders, benefiting from strong collaboration with local municipalities. Workshops covered a range of topics from renewable heating to e-mobility, resulting in the development of four CNRs. The hands-on approach and local engagement were pivotal to the programme’s success.

Spain

Spain’s ESCAN reported the highest participation with nearly 30 leaders, including municipal mayors and regional managers. The workshops covered diverse topics such as climate science and communication, with four CNRs developed. The extensive engagement reflected Spain’s commitment to climate leadership.

Croatia

REGEA in Croatia conducted a series of workshops with 6 participants, initially short and then extended. The focus was on climate change basics, finance, and roadmaps. Three CNRs were developed, indicating a focused yet effective engagement with the limited group size.

Sweden

Sweden’s EKNorr engaged 4 participants in a series of physical workshops. The programme covered climate science and leadership, with three CNRs created. Despite the small number of participants, the in-depth focus ensured meaningful outcomes.

Insights and Observations

Participation and Engagement

The CLP pilots exceeded its target with 88 climate leaders. However, the number of participants varied significantly across countries, reflecting local needs and contexts. For instance, Spain and France engaged larger groups, while countries like Sweden and Croatia had fewer participants. This variability underscores the need for adaptable programme structures to fit different regional contexts.

Workshop Topics and Focus

The CLP covered essential topics including climate neutrality, leadership, and roadmap development. Notably, certain topics, such as climate finance in Croatia and renewable energy in Austria, garnered significant attention. This suggests that tailoring content to local interests can enhance participant engagement.

Climate Neutrality Roadmaps

The development of 24 CNRs across all pilot countries was a key outcome. This process involved establishing regional baselines, identifying focus areas, and mapping stakeholders using SWOT analysis. The successful creation of these roadmaps highlights the programme’s effectiveness in guiding practical climate actions.

Participant Feedback

Feedback across regions was generally positive, with participants appreciating the training’s alignment with their local needs. However, common challenges included limited skills in public communication and time constraints. In Ireland, changes in participant demographics due to retirements presented additional challenges but were managed effectively.

Recommendations for Future Rollout

1. Emphasize Individual Leaders: Identify and support “local heroes” who can drive climate action, regardless of the municipality’s size.
2. Tailor Content to Participants: Adjust the programme’s content based on participants’ knowledge backgrounds and expectations to maximize relevance and impact.
3. Leverage Competent Facilitators: Ensure that the facilitators are well-versed in climate issues to enhance the programme’s effectiveness.
4. Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a safe and engaging space for participants, which may involve smaller, more interactive sessions rather than larger groups.
5. Update Content Regularly: Continually refresh the programme’s content to reflect evolving climate science and policy developments.
6. Highlight Regional Comparisons: Use comparisons between regional municipalities to offer relevant insights and foster local-level learning.
7. Incorporate Hot Topics: Integrate high-interest topics into the training schedule to maintain motivation and engagement among participants.
8. Adapt Flexibly: Be prepared to adjust the programme’s format and delivery methods based on regional needs and feedback.

The CLP pilot phase demonstrated a successful approach to building climate leadership across diverse regions. By adapting to local contexts and focusing on practical outcomes, the programme achieved notable successes, including the development of 24 Climate Neutrality Roadmaps. The insights gained from this pilot phase will be invaluable in refining and expanding the programme to further support climate leaders in their critical roles.