Having just obtained LUCIE 26000, the benchmark CSR label in France for mid-sized organisations, the VEDECOM Institute took the opportunity provided by its annual in-house event, organised on the 30th of January 2020, to bring together all its employees to engage in a climate change awareness activity. Presented in game format by the association “La Fresque du Climat”, it was run by external and internal instructors supporting this cause. This relaxed and good-spirited afternoon, despite the seriousness of the topic involved, saw everyone leave full of positive resolutions.
“La Fresque du Climat” is a fun, participatory and creative workshop for defining the challenges of climate change
VEDECOM enlisted the help of the association “La Fresque du Climat” for this team building activity, which formed part of the commitment plan for the LUCIE label. The association has set itself the goal of raising awareness about climate change issues by organising a participatory and creative card game. The rules were simple: players formed small teams and had to place 42 cards in order of cause and effect. These illustrated and instructional cards each tackled the various factors of climate change, as well as all of the current and potentially future consequences. The activity was led by confident and trained instructors from the association, who provided explanations and additional information. Once their cards had been laid out, the team members were asked to complete their “fresco” by adding a title, colours and messages. This creative aspect was very important in the process of assimilating the knowledge acquired during the game.
United teams mobilised around their fresco
Divided into 23 teams of seven to eight people, VEDECOM’s employees demonstrated a great deal of interest and good spirits in playing the game. The aspects involved – dialogue, reflection and awareness – were very much enjoyed by these researchers, who were already well educated in environmental issues thanks to VEDECOM’s status as an Institute for the Energy Transition. The employees were also involved in the CSR approach of the LUCIE label, which was singled out for praise by the auditor from Bureau Veritas. “I really liked examining the environmental issues as a team,” says one of them. “It’s a good idea for seeing all the elements of climate change at the same time,” says another. After the workshop, the employees voted for their favourite frescoes, which were then displayed on the walls of the mobiLAB.
From consideration to action: time for resolutions
After creating the fresco, it was time for a debate: the teams gathered around their instructor to think about specific ways to take action both collectively at the mobiLAB and personally in everyone’s lives. As the instructors reiterated several times, every initiative, no matter how small or individual, counts when it comes to gaining a tenth of a degree. Even at this level, it prevents significant repercussions for the planet. There were a whole host of ideas, including cycling and walking more, buying more second-hand, repairing more, doing more telework to limit travel, favouring short supply chains and discontinuing use of aluminium coffee capsules. Many employees even expressed a desire to obtain more tools to allow them to take this approach even further. Finally, full of positive resolutions, the employees came together for the official award of the LUCIE label to the Institute, a very apt event following the afternoon’s activities!
Learn more:
- Join the “La Fresque du Climat” association
- Learn about the “Mycelium” network