Sniffer’s Becoming Climate Resilient training has been incredibly popular since it was first introduced in 2023. We developed it after hearing requests from our networks for training to really get to grips with issues of climate change adaptation, risk and resilience. Since we launched it, 150 people have taken the day long training exploring climate adaptation, climate risk, and opportunities to build resilience and a fairer, flourishing future.

The training is endorsed by our partners at Edinburgh Climate Change Institute. The one day course is delivered online or in-person and is mix of presentations, interactive workshops and group discussions. It’s aimed at business and organisations to help them gain the knowledge, skills and tools, for ensuring their place of work from estate management to how they collaborate with partners, have the steps needed to adapt to climate change impacts.

By keeping group sizes small with only up to 10 participants, the training gives the opportunity to share and discuss with others their approach to adaptation and any steps that their workplace has already taken towards it. Participants have been from a range of roles across public sector, businesses, academia and charities.  While primarily focused on the Scottish context, much of the content is applicable UK wide, and we have welcomed participants from Wales, England and Northern Ireland to the training.

Sniffer also offers bespoke training for organisations with the content tailored to suit their business needs. These sessions have also been very popular with some organisations returning to have more of their teams attend and gain the skills the training provides.

Below, we highlight the experiences of three organisations who have recently undergone Becoming Climate Resilient training:

• Creative Scotland
• Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
• Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN).

Reflecting on the training Lorna Duguid, Multi-artform Manager at Creative Scotland said:

"Sniffer’s Becoming Climate Resilience training was engaging and insightful. The content was tailored to the sectors we support and went beyond the science of climate change to highlight and discuss the climate risks our organisation, staff and sector are facing and will need to adapt to, in Scotland."

Karen Ridgewell, Climate Emergency and Sustainability Lead at Creative Scotland added:

"The Becoming Climate Resilient training facilitated focused discussions on the increasing impact of climate related disruption to the sectors we support, how climate risk is defined and the increasing need for us all to not only mitigate emissions but adapt to our changing climate. It has highlighted the need for us to champion the adaptation work already being undertaken by those that we support to help others learn and to bring hope that change is possible."

The training is aimed at those with some knowledge of climate change. However, no specific knowledge of climate resilience and adaptation is necessary. This makes the training ideal for those who have only recently begun working in this area as Amy Lavisher, Sustainability Analyst, SSEN Distribution, at Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks explains: 

"I found Sniffer’s Becoming Climate Resilient training very insightful. I’ve only recently started working in climate risk, resilience and adaptation, so it really helped boost my understanding of the latest climate trends, projections and considerations for developing adaptation pathways."

"Sniffer also tailored the course to our business which made it more meaningful. The training also helped me identify additional stakeholders with which SSEN needs to engage – namely regional climate adaptation partnerships. And we will be using the information from the course – in particular the resources on workplace climate hazards and resilience, to design and deliver our regional climate resilience workshops over the summer.” 

Lastly, Jamie Joyce, Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN) Team Lead, shares his reflections on how the training helped to identify practical tools and resources which could be used to support projects: 

"It was accessible, highly informative, and I felt able to apply immediately to my local lived experience through covering the Community Climate Adaptation Route map resource."

"The Becoming Climate Resilient training has been fundamental in ensuring the Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN) team are equipped to support our many vulnerable communities from the increasing effects of climate change. In my leadership role with the (Scottish Government Funded) Climate Hub it is essential that the information we use for engaging communities on developing climate change resilience is up to date, relevant, based on the latest science, and most importantly it encourages action."

If your business or organisation is interested in having a bespoke training session delivered please contact Aoife Hutton, Senior Climate Resilience Manager at Sniffer: [email protected]