Tag: sustainability

  • Become a Climate Communicator

    Become a Climate Communicator

    Briar first attended one of Climate Club’s public Climate Fresk workshops out of personal interest. The workshop gave her a clearer, more connected understanding of how climate change ties to our organisation and personal actions —and got her thinking about how useful it could be for climate communication.

    After that initial experience, Briar became a facilitator, bringing the Climate Fresk into a government context. Feedback from participants was thoughtful and encouraging:

    • “I feel more empowered to encourage others to learn more about global warming and its causes/impacts.”
    • “Greater understanding of what I had a basic knowledge of.”
    • “Enthusiasm to get involved.”

    Now trained as a Climate Fresk facilitator, Briar is bringing climate education into everyday conversations and planning.

    “Attending the Climate Club’s public Climate Fresk workshop gave me a fresh, comprehensive perspective on the interconnectedness of climate change and helped me see the urgency of action in a completely different light,” says Briar. “There’s no other tool out there that gives executives an overview of how climate change works and a practical sense of urgency around taking action, so effectively, in such a short time, all in a fun, engaging game format.”

    Briar Gill-Michaels

    Principal Advisor Environmental Sustainability (Culture & Capability)

    3 Benefits of Climate Fresk for Local and Central Government Teams

    1. A Fast, Effective Way to Build Climate Understanding
    The workshop offers a practical overview of climate science in just a few hours—great for busy council or government teams.

    2. Encourages Leadership Action
    Rather than staying theoretical, it helps leaders connect the dots to their own roles and responsibilities.

    3. Supports Ongoing Internal Training
    With trained facilitators, organisations can continue building internal climate capability over time, not just as a one-off.

    If your local government, council, or government agency is exploring ways to build internal climate capability, we’d love to talk. Climate education is a great place to start—and Climate Fresk is a powerful tool to get things moving.

  • Interview on Radio NZ: Emily chats with Jesse Mulligan about the Climate Change Game making headlines

    Interview on Radio NZ: Emily chats with Jesse Mulligan about the Climate Change Game making headlines


    The amazing Climate Fresk Workshops were recently featured on the radio!

    Our General Manager, Emily, was interviewed by Jesse Mulligan on Radio NZ to discuss the Climate Fresk Workshops that are designed to make the science of climate change accessible and engaging.

    We talked about what makes Climate Fresk unique and shared inspiring stories from past sessions.

    You can listen to the interview here:🎧 Radio New Zealand Interview

    ”I found my first Climate Fresk a really big light bulb moment.

    I had this ‘aha’ of seeing the whole big picture. It’s really rare that you get to see from start to finish what’s already happened, what’s happening and what’s to come.

    I found it quite shocking, and exciting, that we can all be empowered to take action as well. This is what inspired me to bring these events to New Zealand.” – Emily Mabin Sutton

    What Are Climate Fresk Workshops?

    The workshop is called ‘Climate Fresk’ because it uses a collaborative approach to creating a fresco (the Italian/French word for a large piece of art) from puzzle pieces that come together to represent the big picture causes and consequences of Climate Change.

    These workshops are interactive; an escape-room-style series of puzzles to work through and solve together as a team. They’re fun, with lots of chatting and debating as the puzzles come together to tell a story that simplifies the complexities of climate change, making it easier for everyone—from students to professionals—to understand the challenges and identify actionable and unique solutions that they are able to implement.

    “There’s a range of emotional reactions from people.

    Some people come in thinking, wow, climate change is such a bummer. And then they have a lot of fun, so they’re really excited. Most people walk away with this big picture and feeling really empowered to take action.

    It can be really disempowering and quite frightening if you feel like you don’t have any way to take action. One of the things that people say when they leave the workshop is ”wow, I actually was really apathetic, I was a bit worried, but now I have something I can do.” And that’s what we love to give people, is that hope and action.”

    — Emily Mabin Sutton


    Who Are They For?

    Climate Fresk workshops are for anyone interested in learning about climate change and making a difference. They are suitable for schools, businesses, councils and communities to bring climate education to a wide audience.


    What Do Participants Gain?

    Participants leave the workshops with a clear understanding of climate change and practical steps they can take to contribute to positive change in their lives, workplaces, and communities.

    ”Over 1000 New Zealanders have participated in a workshop so far. It’s aimed at everyone, as we’re all impacted by climate change and we all have a part to play!

    It’s taken place in councils, hospitality groups, kindergartens and corporate boardrooms. Literally everyone can participate. It’s tailorable to different audiences; novices and experts all get something from it.”

    — Emily, Climate Club

    Interested? Here are 3 Ideas on how a Climate Fresk Workshop can suit your group:

    1. Strategy / SLT Team Days
    Fun, engaging climate workshops serve as a cornerstone for building a deeper understanding of the climate crisis among leaders. By providing a platform for interactive discussions and expert insights, these workshops empower teams to grasp the complexities of climate change and its implications for organisational strategy.

    2. Team-Building Exercise
    “A team that solves climate puzzles together, stays together” , as the famous idiom goes – Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. By gathering around an important topic, having fun, and working together, this workshop can build relationships and spark collaboration and ideas across departments.

    3. Climate Risk Discussions
    Climate change presents risks to business operations, from supply chain disruptions to regulatory changes. Climate workshops help build resilience by equipping leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to these challenges proactively. By fostering a culture of resilience, we ensure the long-term sustainability of an organisation.

  • Upskill Your Senior Leadership Team in Climate with our Fresk Workshops

    Upskill Your Senior Leadership Team in Climate with our Fresk Workshops


    Climate-Related Disclosures have become a legal requirement for large companies in New Zealand, ramping up sustainability reporting a notch from the voluntary ESG to a regulatory requirement. Even for companies not facing direct regulatory forces, it’s still a great idea to upskill your SLT in Climate Change and climate-related risks, to prepare for the wave of regulation to come.


    Southern Hospitality, a hospitality supply company in New Zealand, hosted a Climate Fresk workshop during their whole executive leadership team strategy day this year. Here’s what a participant had to say:

    ”Engaging, enjoyable and a bit frightening. Fantastic facilitator, who is full of knowledge and passion. Highly recommend.” – David Morrison, Regional Manager

    A key way to engage senior leadership can be in a series of climate workshops. We have found Climate workshops to be a dynamic tool that equips leadership with the knowledge required to see strategy through a climate lens.

    Ways to Incorporate A Climate Workshop Into An SLT / ELT Schedule

    1. Strategy / Team Planning Days
    Fun, engaging climate workshops serve as a cornerstone for building a deeper understanding of the climate crisis among leaders. By providing a platform for interactive discussions and expert insights, these workshops empower teams to grasp the complexities of climate change and its implications for organisational strategy.

    2. Team-Building Exercise
    “A team that solves climate puzzles together, stays together” , as the famous idiom goes – Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. By gathering around an important topic, having fun, and working together, this workshop can build relationships and spark collaboration and ideas across departments.

    3. Kick-starts the climate work program
    Climate disclosures and risk reporting can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and tools, they become more manageable. Climate workshops equip leaders with the knowledge needed to navigate climate strategy effectively, bringing everyone on-board to enthusiastically support sustainability targets. 

    4. Building Resilience
    Climate change presents risks to business operations, from supply chain disruptions to regulatory changes. Climate workshops help build resilience by equipping leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to these challenges proactively. By fostering a culture of resilience, we ensure the long-term sustainability of an organisation.

    5. Driving Competitive Advantage
    Finally, embracing sustainability isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic advantage. Companies that proactively address climate change not only mitigate risks but also seize new opportunities for growth and innovation. By harnessing the power of climate workshops, organisations position themselves as leaders of industry, driving positive change and setting the standard for corporate sustainability.

    In conclusion, climate workshops are a powerful tool for aligning senior leadership teams on the climate crisis. By empowering leaders with knowledge, fostering collaboration, and inspiring action, these workshops enable organisations to learn how to drive meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future.