Innovative partnership offers Climate Emergency Training to Glasgow businesses

17 May 2021

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Last week on Thursday 13 May 2021, environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, announced an exciting new learning programme to deliver climate emergency training to SMEs in Glasgow ahead of COP26 coming to the city.

At a Glasgow Chamber of Commerce event – Focus Forward – it was confirmed that, in partnership with the Chamber, and with funding support from McDonald’s, Keep Scotland Beautiful will be able to offer representatives from 20 SMEs across the city access to accredited Climate Emergency Training.

McDonald’s UK has committed to put 30 members of its own management in the city through the training, and in addition, is fundingplaces for additional Chamber members that wish to take a step forward on their sustainability journey.

We know that there is a real desire for further action from people in Scotland; with 79% of the Scottish public now describing climate change as an immediate and urgent problem.  But, the gap between this realization of the issue and the action being taken to tackle it is still too wide. As the business community emerges from the pandemic the focus is very much on a green recovery and combatting climate change is at the heart of this – it is critical that we support each other in order to achieve net zero.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “In recent years, we’ve provided a range of environmental advice, support, and services to encourage SMEs, who make up a large and essential part of the Glasgow economy, to begin or accelerate their own sustainability journeys.

“I would specifically like to thank McDonald’s and the Chamber for their support in bringing our Climate Emergency Training to smaller businesses in Glasgow.  The leadership they have shown will empower others to take action that they might not have been able to, as we collectively work to help Scotland become a net zero nation.

“We know that our training supports participants to expand their knowledge of the climate emergency, while also providing examples of the opportunity that businesses, particularly SMEs, have in providing solutions to tackle climate change.”

Iain Boyle, Director of Franchising at McDonald’s said, “We’re delighted to partner with Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Chamber in providing Climate Emergency Training to SMEs across Glasgow. As a business, we pride ourselves on progressive action and we hope we can help inspire real change across the city and beyond.”

Stuart Patrick CBE the Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said: “Few events in Glasgow’s history can match the significance of its hosting of the COP26 conference in November. Businesses in the city are looking to respond with their own sustainability programmes to help tackle climate change, and this initiative by Keep Scotland Beautiful and McDonald’s is exactly what is needed by our SMEs. We are very pleased to offer our support.” 

You can find out more about the Climate Emergency Training at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org