The climate fresco provides the beginning of a concrete solution for companies that want to mobilize and unite their employees around their CSR approach. But, what is it exactly? How to proceed ? What concrete benefits can we expect? The answers from Bérangère Leyritz, responsible digital specialist and host of the climate fresco for ORSYS.
At a time when environmental preservation has become a major concern, companies are becoming increasingly aware of the importance ofintegrate sustainable initiatives into their strategy. Particularly through their CSR (corporate social responsibility) approach. But, very often, employees do not have a very clear vision of this ambition. However, a poorly understood policy risks being poorly or poorly applied on the ground.
The climate fresco is one of the tools available to human resources and CSR managers to raise awareness among teams and get them on board with the process. In only 3 hours, this immersive and educational approach allows participants to better understand the issues of climate change. It thus reinforces their environmental commitment and arouses the desire to invest a little more in their company's CSR strategy.
Go behind the scenes of this awareness workshop to understand how it can help you deploy your CSR approach!
What is a climate fresco?
When participating in a climate mural, do not expect to be passive and receive information. No ! The climate fresco is above all a collaborative, creative and scientific workshop. The data comes from the IPCC reports, the intergovernmental panel on climate change.
In 2018, Cédric Ringenbach, speaker and teacher on climate change, designed the fresco with 3 objectives on your mind :
- discover or rediscover how the climate works
- raise awareness of the complexity of climate change
- provide the keys to understanding to act effectively
For this workshop to have a real impact, he chose a playful approach. And it works !
A deck of cards, a team of 4 to 8 players (novices or experts), some office equipment, 3 hours and a facilitator. It doesn't take much to create a climate fresco.
The facilitator guides the group, facilitates discussions and encourages everyone's participation. The game features 42 cards, divided into 5 lots. Each participant receives 1 or 2 cards depending on the lot. He then reads the front (photos, infographics, etc.) and the back (explanations) of the card in his hand. Then, he places it on the fresco in agreement with all the participants.
Little by little, the fresco takes shape. It graphically represents the components of climate change and the cause-consequence links inherent to it.
In this stimulating learning environment, a real awareness emerges. And often, the desire to act is felt, whether personally or professionally.
What benefits does the corporate climate fresco bring?
For successfully implement a CSR approach, it is first crucial to rely on a common understanding within the company.
And this is where the climate fresco plays a role key facilitating role.
It will in fact allowact in 5 dimensions :
1
Involve and encourage staff
by raising awareness and stimulating their motivation to contribute to the ecological transition within the company.
Better understand the reasons for the company's commitment,
by approaching the subject in a context conducive to speaking and exchanges between participants. It's even better if the CSR manager or HR manager is present.
2
3
Promote the actions carried out by the company,
thereby strengthening the visibility of the process and inspiring participants to get involved. Some will be able to become “ambassadors”, sharing and encouraging environmental initiatives with their colleagues.
Strengthen links between employees (team building),
by creating a feeling of cohesion and solidarity between team members. Active collaboration and sharing of ideas strengthens professional and personal connections.
4
5
Facilitate the implementation of new actions,
by identifying possible levers of action in the company.
Become aware of the situation to (re)act!
Each person participates with a different level of knowledge and understanding. This is not a problem. The aim is in fact tomake everyone aware of the impacts and the complexity of climate change.
The idea is not to create ecoanxiety among participants, but rather to create group synergy for collective action.
This approach therefore allows them to:
- become aware of the issues linked to climate change
- better understand the information and discourse circulating on the subject
- make you want to explore certain subjects in more depth
- encourage personal and professional commitment
The first level of awareness often involves taking into account the possible impacts on personal life. Then, with the last fresco workshop, participants reflect on the impacts on the professional sphere. An interesting exercise which then leads them to develop ideas for action to improve certain practices in their company, such as: the use of electricity, salespeople's travel, overconsumption of water, food waste, waste sorting, etc.
From the climate fresco to the CSR impact
The climate fresco proves to be a tool ideal for mobilizing and uniting employees around CSR projects. However, on its own, it cannot guarantee the success of your approach. It is a lever among other levers of action. We must therefore continue our efforts!
On the side of the collaborators
The awareness that emerges at the end of a fresco can create commitments for some or fall away like a soufflé for others. To obtain commitment from your employees, you must continue the process, lead it and encourage initiatives.
Some avenues of action:
- encourage the exchange of ideas and individual contribution
- set up working groups
- appoint ambassadors
- recognize and promote positive initiatives
- train certain employees to host the climate fresco
By investing in the continuity of the approach and encouraging commitment at all levels of the company, the climate fresco can lead to a lasting CSR impact.
On the business side
Generally speaking, it is crucial to complement the awareness offered by the climate fresco with specific measures adapted to your company. To do this, take into account your challenges, your resources and your objectives.
But above all, whatever your level of progress in your CSR approach, it is essential to carry out the carbon diagnosis of your organization. This diagnosis will allow you to assess your company's carbon footprint and define a coherent and pragmatic action plan.
Thanks to the climate fresco, your action plan can be supported by the entire company, your employees having understood the importance of committing to this approach. You will thus be able to obtain concrete and lasting results in your journey towards a more environmentally responsible company.
Testimonial
“I wanted to experience the climate fresco. »
Anne-Laure, Marketing Manager
Sensitive to ecology, I had already heard of the climate fresco. When the CSR department offered volunteer employees the opportunity to participate in a internal workshop, I registered immediately. Curious by nature, I wanted to see how this works in practice.
One room, two large tables, 10 participants. We formed two groups and the facilitator gave us the rules of the game: reconstruct the climate fresco ourselves by making cause and effect links using the cards.
On the front, the cards feature an image or key figures. For example, fossil fuels. Others relate to drought, the water cycle... On the back are explanations based on scientific data. As a group, we discuss it to decide the place of each card in the fresco. A sort of chain gradually emerges linking human actions and climate change.
At the start of the workshop, everyone had a different level of knowledge. In the end, we understand or realize even more that lifestyle and consumption choices impact the climate. It is stimulating to exchange with colleagues of different departments (production, sales, etc.).
First, awareness is individual. But, at company level, everyone can also make their contribution by re-examining their practices. Just as each individual has a role to play in society, each employee has a role to play in their company. Beyond this reflection in a rather “global” sphere, I gave myself a new objective: to explore the issues and avenues specific to my profession, to integrate them into my actions. And of course raise awareness among my colleagues and peers as much as possible!
