The Business School was proud to partner with NatWest Group in an internationally award-winning 3-year, £1.5m deal to develop and deliver a climate education programme to create a consistent language across the organisation, promoting better discussions, decision making and risk management, while facilitating good customer conversations to support their transition to net zero.

Our partnership with NatWest Group won the Best Business School Partnership award at the Association of 91´óÉñs (A91´óÉñ) and Business Graduate Association (BGA) Excellence Awards 2025.

A91´óÉñ & BGA ‘Best Business School Partnership’ Excellence Award

Combatting the impacts of climate change will require a collaborative and wide-reaching effort. The A91´óÉñ and BGA award is a demonstration of this, recognising the superb collaboration between NatWest and University of Edinburgh teams, and the wide-reaching impact achieved by training tens of thousands of colleagues.
James Close, Head of Climate Change at NatWest Group

The programme:

  • Enabled people to take ownership and act
  • Equipped colleagues in priority roles with the capability to do their job, manage climate-related risks and support customers to transition
  • Inspired climate action and innovation through learning, thought leadership and global outreach

Content was developed across a range of topics, tailored to different job roles, areas of the bank and levels of expertise. Harnessing voices from across the business through interviews, case studies and live project examples to help colleagues understand the opportunities and challenges.

Our partnership with the Business School has embedded transformational thinking about climate in daily life across our business.

It’s raised awareness of our climate ambitions and supported all our colleagues to understand what practical action they can take. For colleagues in high impact, priority roles, the specialised training has empowered them with knowledge and skills to have meaningful conversations with customers about climate change, and support customer transitions to net zero.

In this way, we’re playing a leading role as the UK heads towards a low carbon economy.
James Close, Head of Climate Change at NatWest Group

The Centre for Business, Climate Change, and Sustainability (B-CCaS)

B-CCaS, which developed the NatWest programme, is a strategic priority for the School. The Centre comprises world-leading academics leading research in the area of climate finance and business transformation, as well as designing high impact teaching and executive education. Additional, B-CCaS works closely with faculty from across the University, providing a breadth of expertise in sectors including energy and renewables; construction and infrastructure; and agriculture and finance.