The Human Side of Climate Action: Leadership, Wellbeing and Resilience
Climate action depends on people. Yet while significant attention is paid to strategy, policy, finance, and technology, far less is given to the health of the teams, organizations, and leaders responsible for delivering change. In a sector facing growing pressure, uncertainty, and urgency, burnout, turnover, poor organizational culture, and leadership challenges can undermine impact just as surely as a lack of funding or political support.
This discussion will explore the often-overlooked relationship between organizational health and climate outcomes. Participants will examine how leadership, culture, governance, and team wellbeing shape the effectiveness of climate organizations, movements, businesses, and institutions. The conversation will consider what it takes to build environments where people can sustain ambitious work over the long term while maintaining trust, creativity, and resilience.
The session will also address the practical realities facing climate professionals today. How can organizations support mental health and wellbeing without treating them as individual responsibilities alone? What leadership approaches help teams navigate uncertainty, complexity, and constant change? And how can climate organizations create cultures that enable people to thrive while pursuing demanding missions?
As climate challenges become increasingly complex, the effectiveness of climate action will depend not only on what organizations do, but on how they operate and care for the people doing the work. This conversation will explore why organizational resilience may be one of the most important—and least discussed—ingredients of climate impact.
Discussion Group Leaders
Andrew Henck is Founder of a leadership, culture, and change consultancy, strengthening organizational leadership and culture to support effective change and decision-making.
Erin Roberts is Founder of Loss and Damage Collaboration, advancing climate adaptation, loss and damage policy, and wellbeing-centered approaches to climate leadership.
Georgia Nicolau is Executive Director of Procomum, advancing community care, culture, and the commons as foundations for climate resilience and social transformation.
Discussion Questions
How do leadership, organizational culture, and governance influence the effectiveness of climate action and mission delivery?
What are the biggest threats to wellbeing and resilience within climate-focused organizations, and how can they be addressed?
How can organizations create healthy, high-performing cultures while navigating urgency, uncertainty, and resource constraints?
What leadership practices are most effective for sustaining people, teams, and movements working on long-term climate challenges?