"For any company to make a sustainable transition, everyone needs to be on board."

In recent years, the world has seen an alarming increase in climate change-related catastrophes, from devastating wildfires in Australia and California to unprecedented flooding in Europe and Asia, and intense hurricanes and typhoons ravaging coastal regions. Individuals, communities, and businesses now face the critical challenge of not only adapting to these changes but actively working to mitigate future risks. This same urgency led to the creation of initiatives like AXA Climate.

Education plays a vital role in this transition to greener, more resilient markets. Celli Lloyd, a dedicated advocate for the transformative power of education in sustainability, is spearheading efforts to ensure that businesses are equipped for this shift. Since joining AXA Climate in 2022, Celli has expanded training programs across the UK and US, empowering employees with the knowledge and tools needed to support their companies’ sustainability goals. Through these initiatives, Celli is helping to create a workforce that is not only prepared to adapt to climate-related challenges but is also driven to contribute to meaningful environmental impact.

Education as a Catalyst for Change

Celli’s path is firmly rooted in education, having begun as a school teacher in Australia, where he taught chemistry and science. He soon realised that the urgent transformations needed for sustainability couldn’t wait for future generations to grow up. “The change needs to happen now,” he explains. This insight led him to work in various roles focused on online education, behavioural change, and sustainability. His career journey has been marked by a commitment to integrating scientific knowledge with practical sustainability strategies, including his recent work with AXA Climate.

At AXA Climate, education goes beyond awareness—it’s an essential part of the strategy. By creating an extensive library of e-learning resources, Celli and the team equip companies to build a workforce knowledgeable about sustainability at every level. Celli emphasises that “for any company to make a transition, everyone needs to be on board.” This model echoes the digital transformation that occurred decades ago, where employees needed to understand computers and digital tools to keep up. Likewise, in the current era, understanding sustainability has become essential for adapting to new business realities.

The Role of Education in Driving Change: Bridging Sustainability Across Roles

AXA Climate’s approach to education is deeply holistic, recognising that sustainability impacts every role within an organisation. “I think everyone should learn everything and I'm very pro that, but unfortunately, when it comes to a business, there are limitations and one of those limitations is time.” So then it has to be brought down to “who needs to know what?” about sustainability within the company, and everyone needs to something. 

Celli offers a concrete example: “An HR representative hiring for a procurement position must understand how experience in emissions tracking could be critical for the role.” This integration of sustainability into diverse job functions—from sales and legal to procurement and facilities management—ensures that employees are not just informed but actively contribute to the company’s sustainability goals. This inclusive, cross-functional approach encourages what we described as the “democratisation of sustainability knowledge,” where each employee, regardless of role, can be part of the company’s progress toward sustainable operations.

Empowering Companies to Manage Climate Risks

Celli views sustainability education as a powerful tool for risk management. As climate impacts become more severe, businesses across all industries must recognise and adapt to risks in their supply chains and resource management. In sectors such as food and beverage, climate-related disruptions to agriculture can lead to supply shortages and affect prices. AXA Climate’s training programs equip companies to approach such challenges strategically, providing them with the tools they need to make resilient, forward-looking decisions.

Creating Lasting Impact Through Education

Education, Celli argues, is not merely a compliance requirement but a catalyst for lasting change within companies. Through education, employees gain a greater sense of purpose, aligning their work with broader sustainability goals. As employees across all functions come to understand how sustainability is relevant to their roles, they become more proactive in identifying opportunities to make an impact.

Employees who are well-versed in sustainability are more likely to take these values with them into future roles, helping to drive industry-wide progress toward a more sustainable world.

Building Momentum for a Greener Future

Celli’s journey reflects his belief that meaningful change is possible through consistent and well-structured education. He challenges the notion that change is impossible, noting that we are living proof of rapid transformation, with technology and global communication advancing at an unprecedented pace. Just as every company now relies on digital tools, so too will sustainability become an integrated part of every business function. “It’s our company’s responsibility and the people within it to start thinking about what they can do,” he says, emphasising the need for collective action.

Through his work at AXA Climate, Celli is helping to create a future where employees are empowered to understand, embrace, and drive sustainability. His testimonial is a reminder that education, when aligned with purpose and practical goals, can lead to profound change.

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This is part of our ChangeLeaders interview series with corporate impact leaders sharing their journeys, learnings, and lessons from making an impact in the corporate world. If you are a ChangeLeader we should interview, please email us at info@wemakechange.org.

Interview & Article: James Sancto & Laura De Alba