Climate Ambassadors Supporter Guidelines

Climate Ambassadors is delivered by a consortium of partners and funded by Department for Education, with an obligation to maximise impact, reach and resources. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do and we work with a wide range of people, networks and organisations including education settings, professional bodies, government agencies, other sustainability education initiatives, businesses, NGOs and funders. 

The Climate Ambassadors Supporter scheme recognises organisations who have made a particular commitment to the Climate Ambassadors programme.  Climate Ambassador Supporters are important allies, champions and advocates in our work to support education settings in England and for securing the longevity of the project.

Climate Ambassasdors offers a structured way for organisations to:

• Empower employees, volunteers and members:  Engage your whole workforce in meaningful volunteer opportunities that utilise their expertise and passion for sustainability, while contributing to their professional development.
• Develop workforces, volunteers and members:  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 colleagues 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’ and members’ advice and ideas are put into practice within education settings in your local community, helping to shape a more sustainable future.

What the Climate Ambassadors Supporter programme can offer:-

• Badging – Climate Ambassadors Supporter logo for you to use
• Visibility – Climate Ambassadors Supporter page on our website
• Support – Regular check-ins and support from Climate Ambassadors Partnerships Manager and Partnerships team
• Training – Organisation-specific cohort training and support.
• Content – Examples include template presentations, bespoke introductory webinars for staff, registration walk-throughs; copy for blogs, newsletters
• Sharing – Co-develop case studies and testimonies with us to share.
• Social Value Data – If you have 25+ Ambassadors, you may wish to become a STEM Partner organisation.

Examples of an organisation’s commitment to Climate Ambassadors could include:

• Adding Climate Ambassadors to your existing portfolio of volunteering opportunities, advocating for the programme and supporting staff or members to use their volunteering hours to take an active part.
• Asking existing STEM Ambassadors to also become Climate Ambassadors.
• A Climate Ambassador in each team or location.
• Recommending Climate Ambassadors participation as an example of good practice for members of your professional body or add to staff Personal Development Plans.
• Advocacy – Publishing information, articles and case studies in newsletters or websites.  Inviting us to speak, present or have a presence at events and workshops.
• But there’s flexibility – we’re happy to explore different models of engagement or support for our work that aligns with your organisation’s objectives and with ours.  We are also happy to explore models for other forms of support or ideas that you might have for supporting this work over the longer term.

Climate Ambassadors always welcomes exploring new opportunities for collaboration as being key to expanding the reach, impact, accessibility and longevity of the programme.  Before entering into a Climate Ambassadors Supporter relationship, our National Projects Team (or Steering Group where appropriate) considers applications according to these criteria:-

• The extent to which potential Climate Ambassador Supporter organisations align with Climate Ambassadors’ purpose to support education settings in England to develop and deliver impactful Climate Action Plans.
• The sincerity of the collaboration and the extent to which the involvement of the Climate Ambassadors programme may be used to greenwash unsustainable activities.
• A potential supporter’s commitments to sustainability and transitioning to a zero-carbon economy.

• DO engage with our online and offline networks regionally and nationally
• DO share examples, learning and your experiences with us
• DO follow the STEM / Climate Ambassadors Code of Conduct
• DO use the Climate Ambassadors Supporter logo if your application is approved
• DON’T use ‘Climate Ambassadors’ as part of your organisation’s name
• DON’T use Climate Ambassadors to greenwash or to seek commercial gain.

• Being a Climate Ambassador Supporter organisation does not constitute a formal partnership agreement with the Climate Ambassadors programme, nor endorsement of specific projects or initiatives.
• These Guidelines are reviewed annually by the Climate Ambassadors National Projects Team.
• These Guidelines should be read alongside the Climate Ambassador Supporter Application Form and STEM / Climate Ambassador Code of Conduct.