Introduction to the Climate Ambassadors Programme

The webinar will be led by Charlotte Bonner, CEO of EAUC and Co-Lead of Climate Ambassadors and Jane Dickson, Climate Ambassadors Partnerships Manager for EAUC.

Climate Ambassadors is funded as part of the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. The scheme offers every education setting in England free access to trained volunteers to develop and deliver impactful Climate Action Plans, with nine regional delivery hubs supporting local networks and capacity-building. For businesses, this represents a unique opportunity for employees to engage in impactful, skill-based volunteering. By participating in the Climate Ambassadors programme, an organisation can not only support the next generation of environmental leaders but also demonstrate a commitment to social value and sustainability.

Why Get Involved?

Climate Ambassadors offers a structured way for businesses and other organisations to:

• Empower employees: Engage your whole workforce in meaningful volunteer opportunities that utilise their expertise and passion for sustainability, while contributing to their professional development.
• Develop workforces: All Climate Ambassadors are given training on climate essentials, systems change and working with education settings.
• Demonstrate social value: Show your commitment to the communities you serve by actively supporting education settings in their sustainability journeys.
• Foster leadership: Develop sustainability and climate leadership skills within your organisation by involving staff in training and activities that enhance their understanding of climate action and systems change.
• Make a tangible impact: See the results of your efforts as your employees’ advice and ideas are put into practice within education settings, helping to shape a more sustainable future.

Hear more about the programme, its relevance to iiE members and how you can get involved at this free webinar open to all.   

This event is open-to-all: register here.

More about the speakers:

Charlotte Bonner

CEO of EAUC and Strategic Co-Lead for Climate Ambassdors

Charlotte became CEO of EAUC in February 2023, bringing nearly two decades of sustainability leadership experience across membership organisations and the tertiary education sector. Her strengths lie in driving engagement and influencing policy change.

Before joining EAUC, Charlotte held various leadership roles focused on policy reform, workforce development, governance, engagement, and business development for NGOs working across higher and further education and youth sectors. She also project-managed the UNESCO ESD prize-winning Green Impact programme from its inception and co-founded Students Organizing for Sustainability International. Additionally, she has held consultancy and senior teaching associate positions.

In her current role, Charlotte serves as the strategic co-lead for the Department for Education’s Climate Ambassadors programme.

Jane Dickson

EAUC and Climate Ambassadors Partnerships Manager  (she / her)

Jane Dickson joined the EAUC team in January 2024 as Climate Ambassadors Partnerships Manager.  Climate Ambassadors is part of the DfE’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy, providing education settings in England with access to support to develop and deliver impactful Climate Action Plans covering decarbonisation, biodiversity, adaptation and resilience, climate education and green careers and she is part of the project management team, supporting the nine regional delivery hubs, partnership development and the oversight board.  Jane has worked in various roles in the climate, education and creative sectors as a manager and producer in strategic partnership, community of practice, network development and delivery roles including Education for Sustainable Development Manager at the FE Sussex partnership of colleges and Education Development Manager at Artswork.  Prior to this, Jane had a number of roles in the creative and cultural sector.