Coaching for a climate-conscious workplace

As global leaders gather at COP29, it's clear that the impact of the climate crisis extends beyond environmental devastation - it affects our mental wellbeing, corporate responsibilities, and even strategic priorities. Coaches today have an unparalleled opportunity to work with executives and teams to address the psychological toll of climate anxietyand integrate climate-consciousness into strategic planning. By recognising the significance of emotional wellbeing alongside organisational sustainability, coaches can help companies face what may be the largest existential threat in human history.

Understanding climate anxiety and the emotional impact on organisations

As reports show, climate scientists themselves are experiencing immense emotional stress over the crisis, with many revealing feelings of fear, anger and helplessness. A recent Guardian article highlighted scientists’ struggles to speak openly about their concerns without facing ridicule or dismissal. This “socially constructed silence” discourages necessary conversations, fostering a collective denial of the crisis' psychological toll.

Meanwhile, organisational leaders and employees (particularly younger staff members) face growing emotional strain as they confront extreme weather, resource shortages and the realisation that climate change will directly affect their lives and businesses.

For organisations, addressing climate-related emotional challenges can no longer be avoided. Left unchecked, this distress could contribute to high turnover, reduced productivity and an overall sense of organisational malaise.

A coach skilled in navigating climate anxiety can provide vital support, enabling individuals to process their emotions and feel more prepared to act within their spheres of influence.

From anxiety to action: coaches can make the planet a strategic stakeholder

One of the most significant changes coaches can facilitate is helping leaders and organisations move from climate anxiety to actionable, strategic commitments.

With pressure mounting for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, there is growing recognition that the planet itself must be treated as a stakeholder in corporate decisions. A climate-conscious coach can support leaders to engage in sustainable practices, identify areas for reducing environmental impact and cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility.

Many organisations struggle to bring climate considerations into their strategies, it either being a blind spot or viewed as an “extra” rather than an essential element of operational planning. Coaching sessions provide a safe space for exploring how an organisation can reduce its environmental impact, safeguard its reputation and inspire teams to align their daily practices with broader sustainability goals.

Addressing the cost of inaction and the need to face the climate crisis

Avoiding the emotional and financial impact of the climate crisis could lead to devastating consequences. Inaction carries its own cost - loss of investor confidence, erosion of brand value and increased regulatory risks.

As climate-related issues become more pressing, businesses that fail to respond potentially face a backlash from stakeholders, including consumers who increasingly expect companies to take responsibility for their environmental impact.

Coaches can play an essential role in confronting these “elephants in the room.” They encourage clients to grapple with the potential fallout of inaction, helping them to consider the broader implications of their choices on the planet, society and future generations. By offering a safe space for leaders to discuss climate anxiety, coaches enable them to better understand the significance of their actions and move towards change.

Insights from the ICF: the role of wellbeing in climate coaching

The 2024 ICF Coaching Snapshot: Coaching and Mental Well-Being underscores the increasing role coaches play in addressing mental health needs, even though specific climate-related issues are not yet the primary focus. With 85% of coaches reporting that their clients request support for their mental wellbeing, it’s clear that emotional resilience is becoming a greater focal point of the coaching profession. A key area of concern is career or business-related stress, which, in a climate-conscious context, could stem from the pressure to balance profitability with sustainable practices.

The report also highlights effective techniques for addressing wellbeing, such as mindfulness and self-reflection, which can be highly applicable when dealing with climate anxiety. These methods allow clients to process their emotions in a constructive way, fostering a greater sense of agency and reducing the likelihood of “eco-paralysis,” where fear prevents effective action. Coaching can help clients use these insights to make more meaningful contributions to their organisations’ sustainability goals.

Preparing for the emotional fallout of the climate crisis

The emotional fallout from the climate crisis is predicted to grow as its effects become more visible and direct. UK mental health organisations and professional bodies such as the Climate Psychology Alliance and the BACPhave united as the Climate Minds Coalitionto raise awareness of where the grief, anger and anxiety associated with ecosystem loss and extreme weather events, may lead to a widespread mental health crisis.

Recognising these potential impacts, coaching is one of the helping professions well-positioned to guide clients through emotional resilience exercises and support the development of coping strategies.

One of the most effective ways to navigate this emotional terrain is through tailored approaches that address individual needs. Coaches can collaborate with clients to develop a toolkit for managing climate-related stressors, offering ways to channel this energy towards purposeful action within their organisations. This can include strategies for embedding sustainability within corporate culture, reinforcing the sense that the organisation is contributing positively to the environment.

Building a climate-conscious culture for long-term resilience

Creating a climate-conscious culture requires sustained effort and a commitment to change at every level of an organisation. Coaches can support leaders in building a culture that prioritises environmental awareness and encourages all employees to play a role in reducing the company’s ecological footprint. By promoting initiatives like sustainability committees, green innovations, and regular climate impact assessments, organisations can move beyond “greenwashing” and embed genuine accountability into their operations.

Climate-conscious leadership is about creating a future where organisations are resilient enough to adapt and lead in the face of environmental challenges.

Coaches may well have to play a crucial role in this transition, providing leaders with the tools to foster emotional resilience, inspire meaningful action and create cultures that value environmental stewardship. As COP29 signals another pivotal moment in the global climate conversation, there’s no better time to acknowledge the pressing need for a climate-conscious approach to executive and team coaching.