“We need climate leaders who dare to stand out and lead others“

What are the main attributes of a climate leader and why?

The main qualities of climate leaders are strategic thinking and understanding the climate change challenges and their importance for the everyday life of each of us in all sectors and segments. And more – leaders have to understand and know how to communicate the issues with different stakeholders to engage them as well.

Why do your regions in Slovenia need climate leaders?

People in Slovenia on average are not the ones that want to outstand or be first in line when it comes to acknowledgement. They are also a bit afraid to try something new or different. We think this could be the consequence of history because we see that the younger generation is doing better. Therefore we like and need leaders who dare to stand out and lead others. Climate changes are not very high on the agenda of Slovene political decision-makers therefore we need more leaders between them to work on the political environment to support Climate Neutrality.

How does climate leadership look like in practice in your municipality?

Leadership is demonstrated through different activities like promotion and raising the awareness of different target groups. As well as planning and implementing the projects in the field and following the results and promoting them to peers and others. The leaders are able to organize people around to work together, to elaborate the goals and methods for achieving good results. Leaders search for information and knowledge to be better.

How does the Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje help a climate leader achieve its goals?

ENERGAP supports leaders with information, knowledge, and good or bad examples from across the EU. It organizes the exchange of ideas and information between them through meetings and discussions. Through communication activities, ENERGAP tries to give them visibility and wider support from different parts of society.

Why do you think REMARKABLE is what your local leaders and communities need?

Within the REMARKABLE Climate Leaders project leadership is promoted and outstand as an important activity to foster the implementation of carbon neutrality. Through the project, the leaders see or meet other leaders in other regions doing the same. Also, the knowledge and good practices are shared and promoted to support leaders to go faster and better and to take on board as many as possible followers. REMARKABLE promotes leadership as a way of working towards Climate Neutrality and it does not matter how big the team of the leader is. Each individual could be a leader of their own actions towards Climate Neutrality.

The article was originally published on climateleaders.eu. For further reference, visit the website.