The University of Edinburgh Centre for Business, Climate Change and Sustainability (B-CCaS) has formed a new three-year partnership with NatWest.
The £1.5 million partnership will facilitate the delivery of a climate education programme to more than 16,000 people employed across the NatWest Group by the end of 2024, and will also support the delivery of the in-depth Climate Change Transformation training programme for those in priority roles who require a broader level of knowledge.
Bespoke training
This new partnership will see B-CCaS researchers work alongside NatWest’s business banking specialists to develop the training, tools and content to support colleague education and awareness, and to deliver a 12-week online education programme to employees in priority roles. The tailored training course will enable NatWest employees to help business customers identify the opportunities a net-zero economy can create, and to assist them in becoming more sustainable operations in the process.
Partnering for progress
B-CCaS, an established research centre within the University of Edinburgh Business School, has long enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with the NatWest Group. This new partnership builds on previous successful collaborations and seeks to support the evolution and growth of existing programmes, developing new learning to support key sectors across the bank.
The partnership between the University and NatWest Group has been supported by Edinburgh Innovations.
The University and NatWest will work with real estate expert Cushman and Wakefield to provide the commercial real estate specialist training, Circuthon Consulting, Helen Chambers Consulting and My Little Green Wardrobe to provide the retail and leisure specialist training, and Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick to deliver the manufacturing specialist training.
Dr Sarah Ivory, Director of B-CCaS, said:
This partnership signals an active and purposeful push from NWG to align with climate goals. The initiative focuses on integrating climate education and action firm-wide at NatWest, giving B-CCaS and the University an unprecedented opportunity to extend our collective reach and impact based on the extensive research and experience of our faculty.
Professor Wendy Loretto, Dean of The University of Edinburgh Business School, said:
The response we have had from across the business is inspiring and testament to the positive approach being adopted by the bank in pursuing its purpose-led mission. COP26 highlighted just how integral businesses are in this climate crisis, and collaborations such as this mark the great responsibility business schools have in ensuring their research translates to effective change. This partnership gives us the opportunity to ensure we are at the forefront of such change.
James Close, Head of Climate Change, NatWest Group said:
This specialist training will provide the confidence for colleagues to step into climate conversations both within the bank and with customers. Increased knowledge will empower bank colleagues to help businesses across sectors roll out effective and credible transition plans as the UK heads towards a low carbon economy.
Centre for Business, Climate Change and Sustainability
The University of Edinburgh Business School
Photograph: Jenny Britton, Head of Executive Development at University of Edinburgh Business School and James Close, Head of Climate Change at NatWest Group. Copyright Stuart Nicol Photography, 2022.
