UN PRME Working Group on Climate Change and Environment

This is a new initiative for the Working Group, which seeks to match educators/trainers/professional services/management staff across global higher education institutions who want to develop awareness and knowledge of embedding climate literacy education at either module, programme or whole institution level.  

Experience running climate literacy training has shown that many participants are enthusiastic about applying what they have learned, but they don’t know where to start or how to progress further. Mentors can share experiences integrating carbon and climate literacy programmes into curricular, co-curricular, extracurricular activities and/or campus operations. A mentor need not be a climate subject expert—just someone who has started on the journey of introducing carbon and climate literacy into teaching and learning or campus operations and is interested in listening to and exploring with mentees how they can get started. 

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It is hoped that mentors and mentees alike benefit from the thought-provoking conversations that are inherent to climate education and action. As the programme develops, we can extend beyond higher education institutions, and there is an opportunity for mentors and mentees from other types of organisations to express their interest in the form below.   

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​We will match mentors and mentees from around the globe, adopting a truly inclusive spirit of collaboration in our community. We will be especially grateful to those who can help us launch the project and shape the experience and will share stories of impact with our global community.  

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We will seek to match mentor and mentee based on the intersection of the experience and goals that the mentee seeks to gain, as well as the mentor's experiences and interests.  We will propose a match, and the mentoring process can begin when both parties accept. Matching will take place continuously, and we will hope to make a match within one month.  

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It is suggested that each mentorship lasts 3 - 9 months and includes at least 3 one-hour meetings (likely to be online). We will check in every three months to see if you wish to continue or draw to a close.  After each mentorship, mentors and mentees can continue or enter another pairing if desired.  

 

We ask that the mentee complete a form summarising the conversation and any planned actions following each meeting, which is shared with the mentor. This helps build momentum and accountability. At the end of the process, both mentor and mentee are asked to complete and submit a feedback form to share experiences—and hopefully, outcomes! This will help us continue to develop the mentoring programme based on your input, and to share news and experiences with our community.  

 

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​A mentor does not need to be an expert in carbon and climate literacy. Rather, this is about the mentee and mentor creating a space to discover new insights and possibly chart a course of action.    

 

What is a mentor?  “Someone with valuable experience and knowledge who offers guidance and support”. 

 

What is a mentee?  “Someone who is eager to grow, learn, and develop professionally or personally and who engages with a mentor for this purpose. They are not passive recipients of a mentor’s wisdom, but rather active participants in their own development journey”. (Art of Mentoring, 2024)   

 

It is proposed that the mentor-mentee sessions will include:

• Sharing experiences of climate literacy education

• Asking questions about the mentee’s particular area of interest 

• Actively listening to the mentee’s desired goals and what they need from each session

• Sharing experiences and insights

• Providing encouragement and support for the mentee to take action

• Sharing any resources/networks that might be helpful to the mente

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​Please complete this form. We will make a match as soon as possible and contact the mentor in the first instance to confirm availability. 

Please share this new initiative so that we can all work together to progress carbon and climate literacy education and action.  

For further information, please contact Dr Karen Cripps (Carbon and Climate Mentoring Project Lead) - kcripps@brookes.ac.uk

 

On behalf of Prme | UN PRME working group on climate change and environment

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