Climate Safe Lending Fellowship
A three-month leadership development programme supporting banking professionals to advance and embed climate action within their institutions.
Applications for the 2024 Fellowship now closed.
The programme
Over three months, Climate Safe Lending Fellows cultivate the leadership skills, knowledge and networks that can bring about the deep shifts that will align their institutions with a just and credible transition to a climate safe world.
Many other forums focus on the technical aspects of how banks can finance this transition. The Climate Safe Lending Fellowship looks beneath the analytical work required, and asks: “What are the underlying systemic dynamics (structures, relationships, mindsets and values) within banks that inhibit and accelerate progress toward climate goals?”
The Fellowship programme guides participants through the different levels of transformation crucial to the work of a climate leader. Fellows meet virtually and engage in workshops, peer coaching and other network-building activities and access individual support. Fellows are asked to commit up to two days per month for Fellowship activities.
Who is it for?
We will appoint a cohort of courageous banking professionals who are working to catalyse a credible and just climate transition in their institution.
The 2024 Fellowship is open to applicants worldwide who:
Currently work in a bank or lending institution*
Are actively working to progress the climate agenda within their institution - regardless of their role or function
Have a minimum of three years experience working in a bank or lending institution and the potential to influence key internal stakeholders.
*We welcome applicants from all banks regardless of size, or the stage of its journey towards a credible and just climate transition. Applicants from non-bank lending institutions and development finance institutions are also welcome to apply. If you work for a different type of organisation and feel that you could benefit from the Fellowship, please email us so we can let you know about future activities that may be relevant to you?
What Fellows gain
The Fellowship is designed to engage, inspire and propel climate intrapreneurs forward in their efforts to advance the climate agenda within their institution. By joining the Fellowship, you can expect to gain:
Leadership skills and insights
You will develop leadership and interpersonal skills to make and influence transformational change to align your organisation with a just transition to net zero. You will also learn and hear from other inspiring leaders doing this work, and reflect on ways to become more effective as you build engagement and momentum in your bank’s climate journey.
Practical tools for action
You will learn new tools and systems change approaches, and be able to immediately apply them to making tangible progress on your climate action goals. Outside of sessions, you’ll be encouraged to take practical and courageous action, learning from each step to inform the next and leaving the Fellowship with a clear plan and greater confidence in how you take this work forward.
Peer learning and community
You will engage in peer coaching and benefit from the collective wisdom of the cohort, becoming part of a supportive network of climate champions across banking. You will also have the opportunity to strengthen your cross-sector network, engaging with external values-aligned stakeholders and members of the wider Climate Safe Lending Network community.
Upon completion of the Climate Safe Lending Fellowship, participants are granted the title of Climate Safe Lending Fellow. Fellows join a rich and connected alumni community and become members of the Climate Safe Lending Network - gaining direct access to our cross-sector community of stakeholders all working to accelerate bank climate action.
Return on investment for banks
Banks gain considerable benefit from sponsoring employees to become Climate Safe Lending Fellows.
Effective leaders
The Fellowship will enhance the motivation, commitment and effectiveness of bank employees, equipping them with the knowledge, networks and leadership skills to accelerate their bank's progress toward net zero and beyond.
Bank transformation
The Fellowship focuses on more than the technical components of climate finance. Fellows will gain skills and insights to support their bank's organisational transformation, capability-building and culture change for the climate transition.
Best practice insights
Fellows will bring back intelligence on climate finance approaches that are gaining traction in peer institutions - as well as those that aren’t. This can shortcut innovation and de-risk their bank’s climate approach and open up competitive advantage from becoming a market leader.
Stakeholder network
The Fellowship is a programme of the Climate Safe Lending Network. Banks will gain access to our collective network of influential bank stakeholders who they can leverage and collaborate with to develop and deliver climate strategies.
Testimonials and Impact
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“The Climate Safe Lending Fellowship programme is a deeply transformative, engaging and impactful undertaking for global sustainable finance leaders. It is a safe platform to probe, reflect and contribute ideas on progressing the ‘just transition’ dialogue. Highly recommended.”
CSL Fellow 2022
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"The Fellowship provided me with additional tools to be successful in my current role as a sustainability professional, including those to help with communicating systems change, supporting the transition strategy and determining the best way to influence those in power.”
CSL Fellow 2023
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“Being a Fellow was a truly enriching experience I will never forget. I thoroughly enjoyed the constructive, bias-breaking models and the range of sessions offered were fantastic and opened my eyes to completely different ways of looking at climate in banks. Thank you team and the rest of my fellowship class!”
CSL Fellow 2022
James Vaccaro, Chief Catalyst at the Climate Safe Lending Network, shares his vision for the Climate Safe Lending Fellowship
Scott Beckerman, 2022 Fellow, shares his experience of the Climate Safe Lending Fellowship
Application Process
Applications to the 2024 Fellowship are now closed.
Register your interest in a future fellowship and explore the FAQs to learn more about the programme.
Online Applications close:
11 February 2024
2 February 2024
2024 key dates
Online Taster Session:
15 January 2024
1300 - 1400hrs GMT
or
26 January 2024
1600 - 1700hrs GMT
Group Experience workshop:
27 February 2024
Invite-only for shortlisted applicants. The workshop will take place from 1500-1700hrs GMT
Fellowship places confirmed:
w/c 4 March 2024
Programme start date:
21 March 2024
Need more information?
Access further resources
Join an Info Session
Our virtual Taster sessions were on 15 and 26 January 2024. They are designed for you to meet the team and get a feel for what the Fellowship will be like.
Get in touch
To discuss questions about the Fellowship or access support with your application, please get in touch with us.