Event

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09 July | Nature-based solutions at work

Whether you are starting your nature journey or developing a nature strategy, then this informal online roundtable with our experts could be the session for you.

Hosted by our Head of Training, Louise Cartwright, you will hear how organisations are taking action to support nature at work while reaping business benefits.

We’ll also be inviting you to share your experiences, challenges and opportunities for supporting nature.

Register to attend

This event is Cynnal Cymru members and for businesses or organisations that are based in Wales.

Date: 27th February 2024
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Teams Meeting (online)

Register to attend

Please note this event is open to all, with priority booking for Cynnal Cymru members.

Speakers

Louise Cartwright, Head of Training, Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales

09 July | Nature-based solutions at work Read More »

30 April | Growing the sustainability workforce

Upskilling your workforce involves both specialists and non-experts – join us for a facilitated discussion around pathways to do both.

We will hear from Jennifer Rudd from Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group on ‘Climate Education for the Workforce, proposals to steer Wales towards net zero by 2035’; Dan Wood from Natural Resources Wales on ‘Skills emerging leaders need to support a sustainable future’ and Finley Povey from Transport for Wales will talk about ‘How apprenticeships can kickstart your own sustainability journey’.

There will also be an opportunity to join the discussion in our Q&A session at the end.

Where: Online (Zoom)

Time: 10am – 11:30am

This event is free to attend. Spaces are limited so please be sure to register as soon as possible.

Why this matters

In this current climate and nature crisis, green careers are becoming more desirable and necessary. Looking towards a sustainable future, more and more people are rethinking the places they work for and the kinds of roles they play. With net zero goals and the growing visible local impacts of extreme weather, we urgently need more people taking action in their workplace as well as communities. Given that we spend up to a third of our days in the office, too, it’s crucial that you and your staff feel fulfilled and passionate about your work. Learn how to be a part of meaningful change towards a just transition in your job role or staff development. 

Speakers

Jennifer Rudd – Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group

Dr Rudd has a decade of experience working in chemistry and the technical circular economy, developing next generation solar panels and working on hydrogen generation and carbon capture. Using this knowledge, Dr Rudd developed the You and CO2 programme in 2018, seeking to teach young people about climate mitigation. Since then, she has worked on a number of climate change education programmes across the disciplines, age ranges and countries. She has helped train teachers in Nigeria, co-created a programme for Welsh primary school pupils to learn about fast fashion, co-developed a new scale for measuring climate capability and consulted for a range of third sector and educational institutions on climate change education programmes.

Dr Rudd is a member of the Net Zero by 2035 commission, advising Welsh Government on pathways to Net Zero, she has been invited to present her work in the Senedd and at trade events in London.

Dr Rudd has communicated the climate emergency through national talks, radio and printed media and gave a TEDx talk in 2019. She is regularly invited to give talks on climate change mitigation and climate change education and was nominated for two Swansea University awards in 2020.


Finley Povey – Sustainability Coordinator Apprentice at Transport for Wales

Finley joined Transport for Wales as a sustainability coordinator apprentice in January 2024 and has worked across the Sustainable Development and Climate Change team supporting on future generations, sustainable impact, heritage, environmental compliance, ecology, and climate change initiatives. This includes supporting policy or delivery plan development, ensuring administration activities and other duties are undertaken effectively, undertaking environmental audits across various TfW locations to assess environmental impact and compliance with sustainability best practice, working on decision-making tools to align with the Well-being of Future Generations Act and social value, as well as supporting the creation of TfW’s first sustainability exemplar project to integrate well-being, energy-saving, and biodiverse features into a depot site. In her talk, Finley will be telling us about why organisations should give apprentice opportunities to help build the next generation of sustainability conscious champions.


Daniel Wood, Biologist at Natural Resources Wales

Daniel Wood is a biologist at Natural Resources Wales with over seven years of experience in the environmental sustainability sector. At 24, he founded his own regenerative agriculture enterprise in Swansea, supplying local veg boxes using regenerative techniques. He has since led community-focused programmes such as the ‘Grow for Home Project’ with Cae Tan, empowering disadvantaged communities to grow their own food.

Daniel also serves as the biodiversity and communications representative for Cae Felin, a community-supported agriculture scheme linked with Morriston Hospital, delivering social prescribing outcomes. As a member of the Future Generations Leadership Academy, Daniel recently founded The Future Generations Society, a youth-led network amplifying changemaker stories, highlighting green career pathways, and creating educational content to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Facilitators

Simon Slater, Director at Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales

Early on in his career, Simon worked with the late Rhodri Morgan and Welsh Government as they explored what it meant to have the duty to promote sustainable development in your constitution. His Wales experience renewed his interest to work for the benefit of communities and the environment. He has subsequently worked across the world as an environmental advisor with royalty, charities, government, councils, and business. This has included borrowing ideas from Wales, such as creating a Board member for Future Generations for a Regional Development Agency 10 years before the Welsh Act. 

More recently he has been running sustainability or community regeneration charities such as Sustainability West Midlands, the Springfield Project, and ecobirmingham. He is looking forward to coming back to Wales to continue to be part of the country’s sustainability story. “Wales changed me, now I want to be part of a charity that is helping Wales to change”.

Clare Sain-ley Berry, Deputy Chief Executive, Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales

Clare has a background in delivering partnership projects for the natural environment and sustainable resource use and uses this to help shape our policy and development work. She enjoys facilitating collaboration across sectors and devising practical programmes to deliver strategic aims.

Clare has helped develop our training offer, particularly around the nature crisis, to look at how individuals in all work roles can work towards sustainability with greater agency and confidence.

Our thriving community of mutually supportive members provides an opportunity to share learning, challenge thinking and mobilise action, be this through co-designed events, hosting networking sessions or simply sowing seeds for future collaborations or thought-leadership.

If you would like to talk to a member of the team about how we can support your organisation, please contact membership@cynnalcymru.com

30 April | Growing the sustainability workforce Read More »

28 April | Celebrating the Foundational Economy

The Welsh Government is committed to supporting businesses in parts of our local, everyday economy, also known as the Foundational Economy. Its aims are to build a resilient society and improve goods and services, together with the economic and social relationships that underpin them, which are essential to living a good life.

Please join us at this event to celebrate the Foundational Economy and launch a new Foundational Economy Mission Statement.

We will be showcasing results from Welsh Government funded projects that have applied innovative approaches across a range of Foundational Economy sectors such as food, transport, housing and construction.

Foundational Economy projects showcased by organisations such as:

  • Castell Howell – Authentic Cuisine and Celtica Foods
  • Food Sense Wales – Welsh Veg in Schools
  • Development Trust Association Wales (DTA) – The Assured Growing Toolbox#
  • Menter Môn – Larder Cymru and Tech Tyfu
  • Social Farms and Gardens – Future Farms
  • Cookalong Clwb
  • Menter a Busnes
  • BIC Innovation – Increasing Welsh Food
  • Cardiff Council – Cardiff Food Hour
  • Carmarthenshire Council – Wellbeing of Future Generations menu development and School Meals Pilot
  • Monmouthshire Council – Meals on Wheels service
  • Can Cook – Well Fed Social Enterprise
  • Cardiff Met – Foundational Economy Innovation Network, CEIC Programme
  • PLANED
  • Simply Do – WISH project
  • Wood Knowledge Wales
  • Cyfle – Building Skills
  • NetRet Group

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning will also attending to meet project leads and give a keynote speech, launching the new Foundational Economy Mission Statement.

There is no charge to attend this event, please note there will be video recording and photography on the day and lunch will be provided.

This event will be hosted by the Welsh Government in partnership with Cynnal Cymru.

Agenda to follow shortly.

Date: Monday 28th April 2025
Time: 10:30 am – 14:30 pm
Location: Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4PA.

Cost: Free

Note: In order to register for this event, you MUST receive a confirmation email.

28 April | Celebrating the Foundational Economy Read More »

19 Feb | Ask the Expert: Electric Vehicle fleets and infrastructure

Curious about starting an Electric Vehicle (EV) fleet? Confused about the planning and infrastructure required?

Join Cenex experts, Keith and Connor, for a specialist session on the future of transport. If you have any specific questions in mind then please send them over beforehand or a brief explanation of what you would like to discuss. 

What is ‘Ask the Expert’?

‘Ask the Expert’ is a new series of informal drop-in events where you can join our specialists for a short presentation and guided discussion around a chosen topic.

Who is it for?

This session exploring EV fleets and infrastructure is for Cynnal Cymru members only.

Our thriving community of mutually supportive members provides an opportunity to share learning, challenge thinking and mobilise action, be this through co-designed events, hosting networking sessions or simply sowing seeds for future collaborations or thought-leadership.

If you would like to talk to a member of the team about how we can support your organisation, please contact membership@cynnalcymru.com

Our experts

Keith Budden

Head of Business Development | Cenex

Keith Budden leads Cenex’s work to develop partnerships with public and private sector organisations, helping them deliver net zero mobility. Over the last ten years he has enabled Cenex to grow and increase its impact across the UK, Europe through the development of Cenex Nederland and globally including helping establish the Global Sustainable Mobility Partnership of partner NGOs. 

Keith has significant experience of working in international settings having lived and worked in East and West Africa. He has recently led Cenex EV policy advice for the Governments of Seychelles, India, Thailand and Uruguay. He has previously worked for International energy company E.ON, Birmingham City Council as well as environmental NGOs.

Connor Allen

Technical Specialist | Cenex

Connor is a chartered Automotive engineer with professional experience in data-led fleet strategy development, low emission vehicle testing, and project management.

As a technical specialist within the Cenex Policy, Strategy and Innovation Team, he delivers customer projects relating to the development and deployment of new and emerging low emission vehicle technologies.

Cenex was established as the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies in 2005.

Today, Cenex focuses on low emission transport & associated energy infrastructure and operates as an independent, not-for-profit research technology organisation (RTO) and consultancy, specialising in the project delivery, innovation support and market development.

They also organise Cenex-Expo, the UK’s premier low carbon vehicle event, to showcase the latest technology and innovation in the industry.

Their independence ensures impartial, trustworthy advice, and, as a not-for-profit, they are driven by the outcomes that are right for you, your industry and your environment, not by the work which pays the most or favours one technology.

Finally, as trusted advisors with expert knowledge, they are the go-to source of guidance and support for public and private sector organisations along their transition to a zero-carbon future and will always provide you with the insights and solutions that reduce pollution, increase efficiency and lower costs.

 To find out more about them and the work that they do, visit their website.

19 Feb | Ask the Expert: Electric Vehicle fleets and infrastructure Read More »

14th November | Carbon Literacy Action Day

Do you work for an organisation and want to know how to start tackling your effect on the climate? 

Join us on 14th November 2024 and be part of the world’s largest climate education & action training event – Carbon Literacy Action Day, coinciding with Wales Climate Week and COP29.  

What: a day of accredited training: “Carbon Literacy at Work”  

Where: Sbarc|Spark, Cardiff 

When: 14th November 2024 

Commitment: From 09:00am to 4:15pm – (Please bring your own lunch. Refreshments will be provided.) ​Join us after the training for an optional Carbon Literacy Action Day Webinar with other learners around the world (5pm-6pm)

For who: organisations of all sizes and sectors who want to develop an awareness of the carbon cost of their activities and how to start on the journey to reduce their impact 

Why: with the climate changing, all organisations need to identify their risks and know how to prioritise their climate action in line with national policies and legal requirements. 

Led by: Cynnal Cymru-Sustain Wales 

Ticket prices:

Cynnal Cymru MembersConditions
FREE Member (One place per member organisation)
Each Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales Member organisation is entitled to send one representative free of charge. Please e-mail us on events@cynnalcymru.com before booking to get a discount code for your free space.
One place per organisationFREE
Additional Member per person (Special discount)Cynnal Cymru Member£90 plus VAT
Non-members
Non-member (Low wage/Concession) per person£70 plus VAT
Non-member (standard price) per person£140 plus VAT
sbarc|spark Residents
FREE sbarc|spark Residents
Each sbarc|spark Building Resident organisation is entitled to send one representative free of charge. Please e-mail us on events@cynnalcymru.com before booking to get a discount code for your free space.
One place per organisationFREE
Additional sbarc|spark Residents sbarc|spark resident / organisation£90 plus VAT
*Ticket includes official certification cost with the Carbon Literacy Project

Become a member

Our thriving community of mutually supportive members provides an opportunity to share learning, challenge thinking and mobilise action, be this through co-designed events, hosting networking sessions or simply sowing seeds for future collaborations or thought-leadership.

If you would like to find out about our member benefits, including access to discounted events and training, please contact membership@cynnalcymru.com

 

14th November | Carbon Literacy Action Day Read More »

3 October | Can stories change our world?

Have you unlocked the power of storytelling in your work yet? Join Cynnal Cymru in a facilitated discussion on storytelling techniques that can engage your stakeholders, shed light on your important work, or refine your business goals.

Where: Sbarc|Spark, Cardiff

Time: 10am – 12:30pm

Why this matters

We’ve all seen a powerful piece of storytelling that makes us stand up and take action. Maybe it’s a video that wakes us up to crucial climate issues, an interview with a community coming together for collective good, or an animation that spells out technical information in a way that makes sense to us. Storytelling is everywhere, and harnessing the power of storytelling is key to engaging our audiences in our work towards a sustainable future.

In this half-day event, Cynnal Cymru’s advice team will tell you about their recent imagining of a Wales in 2051, joined by speakers who are experts in storytelling. In a Q&A with the speakers and networking opportunities throughout, this exclusive event for Cynnal Cymru members will help you understand where you can develop storytelling opportunities, find new tools to craft engaging stories, and use storytelling to increase engagement in your work.

Who is it for?

This free event is open to all individuals and organisations over the age of 18. Priority attendance is available to Cynnal Cymru Members. 

Speakers

Animation to Action: Unlocking your storytelling power with Anthony Green, founder of Motion Manor

Anthony Green’s storytelling background led him to found Motion Manor in 2021. Motion Manor is a B-Corp certified animation and motion design studio focused on creating a positive impact. They help organisations who are working to make the world a better place with awe-inspiring visual content. Through their work with the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), they have used visuals to inspire hope and show what a future proof society might look like across 7 different cities.

In his talk and Q&A, Ant will tell us about how animation and illustration can elevate socially conscious projects to inspire change in your audiences. Sustainability is at the core of his work, so he can answer your questions about the sustainability of animation and why animation works to engender passion and action towards the climate crisis. 

Imagining and Enacting a Sustainable Future with David Clubb, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW)

Dr David Clubb is an expert in energy policy and digital communication. He is a Founding Partner at Afallen, whose projects are rooted in the Well-being of Future Generations approach, bringing value to all Wales’ citizens’ now and in the future. He was previously Head of Digital at RenewableUK and Director at RenewableUK Cymru.

The NICW is an independent advisory body that gives recommendations on the infrastructure Wales needs. They have worked in partnership with the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) to envision the implications for infrastructure in Wales in 2100. As the Chair of the NICW, David will talk to us about the power and importance of this project and how imagining a sustainable future is necessary to creating one. With expertise in pairing digital storytelling with practice structural change, David can answer your questions on how storytelling can uplift gritty technical information, speak to new audiences and help you with business development plans. 

Creating a Vision We Can Achieve with Camille Løvgreen, Sustainability Advisor at Cynnal Cymru

Camille joined Cynnal Cymru’s advice team to support clients through a transition to sustainable business operations. This includes carbon accounting, creating action plans, and embedding sustainable principles into operations. Inspired by CAST’s visions of a low-carbon futures report, Camille and Karolina developed a series of stories designed to show readers that everyone can play a huge role in achieving a sustainable present and future. In her talk and Q&A, Camille will tell us about how utilising a creative approach can build hope and momentum without comprising on accessibility or reality.

Facilitators

Simon Slater, Director at Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales

Early on in his career, Simon worked with the late Rhodri Morgan and Welsh Government as they explored what it meant to have the duty to promote sustainable development in your constitution. His Wales experience renewed his interest to work for the benefit of communities and the environment. He has subsequently worked across the world as an environmental advisor with royalty, charities, government, councils, and business. This has included borrowing ideas from Wales, such as creating a Board member for Future Generations for a Regional Development Agency 10 years before the Welsh Act. 

More recently he has been running sustainability or community regeneration charities such as Sustainability West Midlands, the Springfield Project, and ecobirmingham. He is looking forward to coming back to Wales to continue to be part of the country’s sustainability story. “Wales changed me, now I want to be part of a charity that is helping Wales to change”.

Clare Sain-ley Berry, Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales

Clare has a background in delivering partnership projects for the natural environment and sustainable resource use and uses this to help shape our policy and development work. She enjoys facilitating collaboration across sectors and devising practical programmes to deliver strategic aims.

Clare leads on Cynnal Cymru’s work for a thriving natural environment, which includes our Nature Wise eco literacy training, as well as contributing to work around the foundational economy and decarbonisation.

Agenda

9:45 Arrivals & refreshments

10:10 Cynnal Cymru Welcome, Simon Slater – Director

10:25 Camille Løvgreen  – Sustainability Advisor (Cynnal Cymru)

10:35 Anthony Green – Founder (Motion Manor)

10:45 David Clubb – Chair (National Infrastructure Commission for Wales)

10:55 Comfort break

11:00 Q+A Session facilitated by Clare Sain-ley Berry

11:30 Networking

12:30 Close

Our thriving community of mutually supportive members provides an opportunity to share learning, challenge thinking and mobilise action, be this through co-designed events, hosting networking sessions or simply sowing seeds for future collaborations or thought-leadership.

If you would like to talk to a member of the team about how we can support your organisation, please contact membership@cynnalcymru.com

3 October | Can stories change our world? Read More »

1 October | UN Global Compact Annual Summit

Running a successful and responsible business is perhaps more challenging today than ever before. In a complex landscape of risks and opportunities, technological innovation is moving at an unprecedented pace, resource availability and social instability are immediate challenges, and companies must navigate capricious policy conditions while competing versions of reality have destroyed trust. Nonetheless, stakeholders want businesses to address the pressure our planet and its population are under.

Sustainable Development provides businesses with a clear unifying vision for a viable and prosperous economy of the future.

Ambitious sustainability targets have been set at every level from individual companies to international pacts. Approaching the midpoint of the UN ‘Decade of Action’, the time to deliver on these commitments to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and inequality is now. However, progress is not happening fast enough, and in some cases is reversing. Business professionals must be equipped and empowered with robust solutions to respond to the challenges spanning all three tenets of ESG.

Through panel discussions, fireside chats, hands-on practical workshops, and extensive networking opportunities, the UN Global Compact Network UK’s Annual Summit will bring together stakeholders from across sectors for practical, output-focused discussions, to give you the strategic insights needed to bridge the ambition to action gap and transform your business for people, planet, and prosperity.

All key takeaways from the day will be captured and made exclusively available to attendees, forming a strategic action plan to accelerate sustainability solutions.

To find out more and book your place, visit the UN Global Compact website.

1 October | UN Global Compact Annual Summit Read More »

A Wales that cares: People, planet, and green skills – A focus on sustainability and equality

At Cynnal Cymru, we recognise that we are not the only organisation in Wales working to make sustainability challenges, and their solutions, visible and relatable.

Engaging with others is a key part of what we do and what we learn we try to share – through our advice and action planning, training – and posts like these.

We recently participated in an event organised by the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) and Oxfam Cymru which highlighted the importance of acknowledging and valuing unpaid (or poorly paid) labour, a form of work that is predominantly undertaken by women across the globe and is often unrecognised.

This intersection of work and justice is close to our hearts. Cynnal Cymru is the Living Wage accreditation partner for Wales and we see Fair Work as a critical cornerstone of any equitable society and economy.

If this issue also touches you, please read on for more insights from the event from our Sustainability Strategist Karolina and further resources around the care economy, alternative economic models, inequality and climate.

A Wales that cares: People, planet, and green skills – A focus on sustainability and equality – IWA and Oxfam Cymru April 2024

I was curious and excited to attend this event and to explore how a Wales that prioritises people and the planet could be constructed. A key takeaway was that this cannot be done without first recognising and fairly rewarding unpaid (or poorly paid) labour, a form of work that is predominantly undertaken by women and is often unrecognised.

The event featured a series of debates and conversations, ignited by thought-provoking presentations by:

  • Anam Parvez , Head of Research, Oxfam GB, on care, climate justice and inequality – a perspective from the UK
  • Leah Payud, Portfolio Manager, Oxfam Philippines, on care, climate justice and gendered dimensions – a perspective from the global South.
  • Erinch Sahan, Business and Enterprise Lead, DEAL, on doughnut economics and alternative economic models
  • Helen Lucocq, Head of Strategy and Policy, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, on doughnut economics and alternative economic models in Wales.

The takeaways that we’d like to share, including resources from the event or found subsequently, are:

Necessity of a Paradigm Shift:

It’s crucial that we progress beyond using GDP as the only indicator of success. This measure has shown to be patriarchal and has been globally implemented with devastating consequences. To truly understand its impact on our climate, it’s worth listening to Mia Motely’s discussion on the imperative need for systemic change and a compelling story from Gabon.

Significance of the Care Economy:

It’s undeniable that women bear a disproportionate burden of caregiving duties. For a just transition to occur, it’s essential to recognise and appreciate these contributions. During periods of transition, it’s crucial to consider all forms of paid and unpaid labour, as the most overlooked types are often the most affected and necessary. To gain a deeper understanding, visit Oxfam’s website dedicated to care in the UK and listen to these two insightful podcasts here and here, plus an episode about the staggering amount of money women in the care sector send back home.

Making change in Wales:

If you are in a position where you can help reset this balance in Wales you can watch how one social care provider became a Living Wage employer here.

Interconnection of climate and inequality:

Climate change tends to exacerbate existing social inequalities, with minority groups often bearing the brunt. Those burdened with caring responsibilities are often left to protect and rebuild with little or no external support. Thus, climate action and disaster preparedness plans should be inclusive, considering those with caring responsibilities and people with disabilities. In this regard, developing nations have made significant strides, providing valuable lessons for developed nations. For further information, you can read stories of preparedness with gender in mind, about the impact of climate on women in rural areas, listen to the episode about preparedness in Bangladesh, heartbreaking stories about the impact on women due to climate; and about the lack of consideration for people with disabilities in action plans.

The Doughnut Model – A new business paradigm:

The Doughnut Model is an innovative framework for redesigning businesses to address both environmental and social needs. System thinking skills are indispensable for facilitating this transition. To learn more, visit the Doughnut Lab.

Green jobs and just transition across all sectors, including care:

The definition of green skills needs to be broadened to prevent exacerbating existing social inequalities.

Real Stories of Possibility:

There are countless solutions out there; they encompass technology, politics, socio-cultural changes, and are entirely achievable. Let’s make sure to share these inspiring stories! For a wealth of uplifting and inspiring stories, I recommend People Fixing the World.

The event spurred numerous questions:

  • What could these alternative metrics to GDP look like, and how can they be effectively implemented?
  • How can we ensure a just transition that benefits everyone, not just those with privilege?

We look forward to seeing these insightful discussions developed into a comprehensive position paper, which IWA should soon publish.

A Wales that cares: People, planet, and green skills – A focus on sustainability and equality Read More »

Lunchtime challenge: Craft the future! Design a 21st Century business strategy

Lunchtime Challenge: Craft the Future! Design a 21st Century Business Strategy

Join Clockwise Cardiff for an exciting event where you can unleash your creativity and innovation!

Time: 1 Hour (with light lunch provided)

Host: Karolina Rucinska, Sustainability Strategist at Cynnal Cymru

Calling all innovators! Ready to shake things up? Join us for a dynamic lunchtime challenge where you’ll brainstorm and build a business strategy fit for the 21st century.

The Challenge: Craft a future-proof strategy that considers not just profit, but also social responsibility and environmental impact.

Lunchtime challenge: Craft the future! Design a 21st Century business strategy Read More »

May events: Green skills and your workplace

All upcoming Cynnal Cymru events can be booked via Ticketsource

Session 1: What do we mean by green skills and why are they needed?

Tuesday 14th May | 1pm | Online

Hosts: Karolina Rucinska and Camille Lovgreen

Green economy, green jobs, and green skills! What’s the difference and what do they mean in practice? Are these just for engineers and energy specialists or can anyone acquire these skills? Why they matter to every business and how they can help address changing legislation around energy, waste and social impact?

‘Green skills’ are the competencies required to create greater resilience and adapt to an environmentally flourishing and socially just present and future. Noticeably, these skills are broad and vary from technical to soft skills. Yet, many soft skills, ranging from the ability to think creatively, empathetically and analytically, are crucial for transition as they enable a reimagination of current ways of doing to allow new system designs that address the challenges we face as a society.

This session will:

  • Unpick key terms related to green skills so we can all better understand the skills we need for a future-fit society – how to nurture them and why they are important. It also outlines the main Welsh organisations that provide training and support in relation to climate, nature, and social justice.
  • Touch upon opportunities associated with green skills.
  • Provide useful names of organisations and resources to employees and employers alike.
  • Explore how green skills can help stay ahead of different legislation for environmental protection and just workforce conditions.

And of course, the session gives a chance to exchange contact details to make the most of this networking opportunity!


Postponed and merged with session 3

Session 2: Green recruitment and inclusive job descriptions

Tuesday 21st May | 1pm | Online

Hosts: Karolina Rucinska and Camille Lovgreen

This session focuses on how to rewrite job descriptions to be more inclusive and attract a wider pool of green talent, emphasizing skills beyond just technical expertise. It will cover:

  • Identifying Unconscious Bias: Recognise language that might exclude potential candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and communication styles. Offer alternatives for commonly biased terms and highlight the value of empathy and cultural understanding in sustainability work.
  • Highlighting Green Skills: Showcase the specific green skills required for the role, including creativity in problem-solving, system thinking for holistic approaches, and strong communication skills for building partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
  • Action-Oriented Language: Reframe job descriptions to focus on the impact of the role, promoting inclusivity and building a more sustainable future.
  • Inclusive Hiring Practices: Briefly discuss strategies for ensuring diverse interview panels and accessible application processes, emphasizing the importance of recognising the value of different perspectives for achieving sustainable solutions.

Please bring your own challenges and experiences to share.


Session 3: Greening every job

Tuesday 28th May | 1pm | Online

Hosts: Karolina Rucinska and Camille Lovgreen

This session explores how every job in a company can contribute to sustainability goals, emphasising broader green skills beyond technical expertise. It will cover:

  • Sustainability Integration: Discuss how seemingly unrelated roles can contribute to making the company more environmentally aligned and socially just. For example
    • Marketing & Sales: Highlight the importance of storytelling to engage customers with sustainability and collaboration with design teams to ensure products and services are truthful and do not perpetuate overconsumption and inequalities.
    • Finance & Accounting: Show how life cycle and circular economy principles (system thinking) can be integrated into financial decisions; and how to ensure investments are ethical and long-term.
    • Workforce Development: Explore strategies for building a fulfilled, diverse and inclusive green workforce.
    • Front of house, shopfloor and admin roles: Highlight the importance of the client facing roles in demonstrating the sustainable values of any organisation; ; and highlight the value of the on-the-ground knowledge that can aide in creating realistic solutions.
  • Everyday Green Practices: Offer practical tips for integrating sustainability principles into daily work routines while promoting collaboration and inclusivity (people skills).

May events: Green skills and your workplace Read More »

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