The Climate Champions Group serves as a network of internal advocates, supporting the implementation of climate-related initiatives, raising awareness among colleagues, and helping to embed environmental considerations into the Council’s daily operations. By sharing knowledge, promoting behaviour change, and identifying opportunities for improvement, the group plays a vital role in advancing the Council’s climate goals and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility across the organisation.
In its first year, group members also received targeted training to enhance their understanding of climate issues and build confidence in leading a wide range of sustainability initiatives within the Council.
The Climate Champions Group has now been restructured into several dedicated subgroups, each focusing on a specific sustainability theme, including sustainable transport, sustainable events, greening the workplace, and waste and recycling. This more targeted approach enables members to make better use of their skills and interests, collaborate more effectively, share knowledge, and deliver practical initiatives that support the Council’s wider climate ambitions.
Based on the strategic themes of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy, five working sub‑groups have been established to translate these themes into practical ways of working and to support behavioural change across the organisation. Their purpose is to help reduce the Council’s associated greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen progress toward its climate objectives.
Ongoing staff intranet commentary pieces on environmental and sustainability highlights to encourage interest in the organisation.
A Sustainable Buildings Certifications training session was delivered to all Climate Champions to better their understanding of the key sustainability‑related certifications and standards used across the UK building sector. This training enhances staff capability to assess projects more effectively, support informed decision‑making, and promote better sustainability performance across Council‑led developments and activities.
In September 2024, 40 members of SBC staff — including the majority of the Council’s Climate Champions and other engaged colleagues — successfully completed the Carbon Literacy training programme and were formally certified as Carbon Literacy trained. This enhanced level of awareness supports more informed decision‑making, strengthens organisational capacity to reduce emissions, and helps embed low‑carbon thinking across Council operations and services.
A Staff Climate Champions Group (SCCG) of 24 members from various teams across the Council was established to raise awareness, strengthen engagement, and drive positive change related to sustainability.