The Fellowship
An immersive leadership development programme supporting finance professionals to advance and embed climate action within their institutions.
Register for Cohort 4
(condensed offering: 13 Feb- 13 Mar 2024)
by 31 January 2025
NOTICE
Shifts in the (political, financial, global, economic, philanthropic) ecosystem are happening rapidly, with ripple effects. One effect: we are adapting our Fellowship in programming and offerings for 2025.
In place of the 3-month open cohorts, the below are alternative options for engagement:
Join our condensed programme running 13 February – 13 March (more here & below)
Host a Fellowship programme for a cohort of individuals within your institution (or alongside a subset of specific organisations in coordination)
Please reach out to connect@climatesafelending.org for more information.
The programme
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 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?
Cohort 4 running from February-March is open to climate champions and changemakers who are involved in creating practical impact in sustainable finance.
*CSLN works to make sure applicants do not have any conflicts of interest or business development pursuits that would jeopardise the value, safety, or confidentiality of its members. We welcome applicants from institutions regardless of size, or the stage of its journey towards a credible and just climate transition. If you have questions about the eligibility of your institution, please email us.
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 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.
Testimonials and Impact
“Rarely a day goes by where I don’t think about something that I learned on the Fellowship”
CSL Fellow 2022
Hannah Subayi Kamuanga, 2024 Fellow, discusses her experience on the Fellowship
“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
James Vaccaro, Chief Catalyst at the Climate Safe Lending Network, shares his vision for the Fellowship
Scott Beckerman, 2022 Fellow, shares his experience of the Fellowship
"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
“The CSL Fellowship will give you new insights and perspectives you didn't know you didn't know! I found the peer coaching techniques and sessions really liberating - my peers that helped me pause and realise a lot of the answers I’ve been looking for are already within.”
CSL Fellow 2024
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.
Online Registration closes
(rolling confirmation)
31 January 2025
Friday
Key dates
Cohort 4
Sessions will take place midday UK time, and are designed to accommodate Eastern United States, Europe, Africa and Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Participation Agreement Due
7 February 2025
Friday
Programme Start
13 February 2025
End
13 March 2025
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