Apolitical has secured a significant £2M grant from the Bezos Earth Fund. The initiative aims to educate twelve million public servants globally on climate action by 2026.
This ambitious programme by Apolitical will expand the Government Climate Campus, a platform already exceeding expectations with tens of thousands of government officials trained worldwide.
Climate Education Empowerment
Launched in January 2023, the Government Climate Campus was initially supported by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment at the University of Oxford. The programme has already achieved remarkable success, training over 40,000 public servants across the US, Brazil, South Africa, and the UAE, surpassing initial targets by sixfold. This achievement highlights the urgent need for public servant climate training, considering only 35% have received any related training, despite 68% acknowledging its importance in their roles.
The new grant will allow Apolitical to enhance its innovative training programmes by leveraging advanced technology. This strategic expansion is key to combating the climate crisis, as informed and prepared government officials are crucial to making impactful decisions regarding environmental policies. Bridging the green skills gap among public servants is not merely an educational goal—it’s a global necessity.
Expanding the Government Climate Campus
Robyn Scott, CEO and co-founder of Apolitical, emphasises the critical role of governments in climate action. “Governments are essential climate actors, increasingly aware of the need to upskill their workforces at scale,” she states. Apolitical’s collaboration with numerous subject experts strengthens this initiative, positioning it as a vital tool in bridging the government green skills gap—now recognised as a significant global threat to effective climate action.
A Global Approach to Climate Training
Apolitical’s curriculum, developed with notable academic partners like the University of Oxford and the World Resources Institute, offers world-class education to public servants worldwide.
Recognised internationally, the platform has been celebrated among Fast Company’s ‘World Changing Ideas’ and nominated for the Earthshot Prize 2024. With 250,000 members across 160 countries, and collaborations with esteemed institutions, Apolitical serves as a critical support network for government workers, sharing best practices and offering transformative training in areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence.
Key Players and Partnerships
Robyn Scott has highlighted Apolitical’s ongoing efforts with The Bezos Earth Fund, stressing government personnel’s urgent need for rapid upskilling to meet the demands of the climate emergency. Partnerships with top-tier educational institutions like Georgetown University underline Apolitical’s commitment to creating impactful, evidence-based learning solutions.
The fund’s president, Andrew Steer, echoes similar sentiment, asserting the importance of knowledge and skills in driving transformative climate policies. The Bezos Earth Fund’s collaboration with Apolitical signifies a thoughtful investment in climate-capable governance.
Apolitical’s Impact and Future
Evidently, Apolitical’s initiatives hold significant potential for reshaping how governments approach climate education. The emphasis on collaboration and technological integration will likely yield substantial benefits in the realm of public service training.
Conclusion
Apolitical’s grant from the Bezos Earth Fund is more than financial support—it’s a testament to the continued commitment to global climate education. This initiative stands as a beacon of hope, enabling public servants worldwide to harness necessary skills and knowledge to combat climate change effectively.
As the Government Climate Campus expands, it reinforces the urgent need for climate education and signals a promising step forward in global climate diplomacy.
By 2026, we anticipate a dynamic shift in governmental approaches to addressing the climate crisis, fuelled by an informed and empowered workforce.
The future of climate action among public servants appears promising, with Apolitical at the forefront of transforming climate education on a global scale.
