Quais são as formas mais eficazes de engajar clientes e stakeholders com diferentes níveis de alfabetização ambiental?

One thing I have found useful is the stakeholder engagement at the project initial stage.This way we can map out the different needs / assessment and challenges of each stakeholder for the the defined project scoping.

Most effective way would be - Offering workshops, webinars, or training sessions to educate clients and stakeholders about environmental issues relevant to respective organization/firm/institution. Utilizing visual aids such as infographics, videos, and interactive maps to convey information in amore engaging and accessible manner. Encouraging open dialogues and collaboration among clients and stakeholders to collectively identify environmental challenges and develop solutions. Involving clients / stakeholders in hands-on-activities such as field trips, volunteering opportunities, or community events related to environmental conservation.

During my 12 years working experience with stakeholders from public and private sector, they have sufficient knowledge about the environmental issues, climate change impacts etc. even several seminars, workshops, corner meetings, group meetings, exhibition etc. but in my opinion we have to shift our approach toward Rapid Learning and Action (RLA), this doesn't matter the action is either at local or global, but at least the stakeholders actions plans matter to adopt. This is the basic toward localization approach as well for Environment and Climate Change Adaptation.

Engaging clients and stakeholders with varying environmental literacy requires tailored approaches that prioritize clarity and inclusivity. Utilizing diverse communication channels such as interactive workshops, and visual aids can effectively convey complex environmental concepts to audiences with varying levels of expertise. Incorporating storytelling and real-life examples can make environmental issues relatable and accessible to a wider audience. Emphasizing the relevance and potential impacts of environmental decisions on individuals and communities can further motivate stakeholders to participate actively. Empowering the audience irrespective of their level of expertise, to co-relate with hands-on experiences can actually do the job.

Antes de iniciar um projeto de consultoria ambiental, você precisa avaliar as necessidades e expectativas de seus clientes e partes interessadas. Quais são seus objetivos, desafios, valores e motivações? Quais são suas práticas e conhecimentos ambientais atuais? Quais são suas preocupações e perguntas? Ao realizar uma avaliação completa, você pode adaptar sua abordagem e linguagem para se adequar ao seu nível de alfabetização ambiental e evitar jargões, suposições ou julgamentos que possam aliená-los ou confundi-los.

In my experience, effectively engaging clients and stakeholders with varying environmental literacy relies on using relevant and relatable examples. I find that connecting complex concepts to everyday experiences enhances understanding and resonance. I believe incorporating real-life scenarios, local contexts, and tangible outcomes creates a more inclusive dialogue. I find that this approach not only bridges knowledge gaps but also fosters a shared appreciation for the relevance of environmental issues, promoting more informed and collaborative decision-making among diverse stakeholders.

Na minha experiência, aprendi que temas ambientais são muito técnicos e de difícil compreensão para muitos stakeholders relevantes. Além de trazer exemplos significativos, é importante traduzir informações de qualidade ambiental para o que o público conhece. Por exemplo, para o público leigo, concentração de metais em efluentes, não quer dizer nada. Mas dizer que o ferro é um importante elemento, presente na carne e em outras verduras e que, sua ausência pode causar anemia, muda a percepção das pessoas.

Uma das maneiras mais eficazes de envolver clientes e partes interessadas com diferentes níveis de conhecimento em educação ambiental é usar exemplos relevantes e relacionáveis que demonstrem os benefícios e impactos do seu projeto de consultoria ambiental. Por exemplo, se você estiver conduzindo uma auditoria de sistemas de gestão ambiental, poderá mostrar como ela pode ajudá-los a melhorar sua eficiência operacional, reduzir seus custos e riscos, melhorar sua reputação e cumprir as regulamentações. Você também pode usar estudos de caso, depoimentos ou histórias de projetos semelhantes ou bem-sucedidos para ilustrar seus pontos e inspirá-los.

It's not just about being 'relatable', it's about being in such alignment that your colleagues will truly love your project and champion it. This is possible if you are able to identify their values and goals, and align all communication about your initiative to those values and goals. Keep in mind: "It's not about you". To get long-lasting engagement and commitment, the other people must feel deeply that the initiative or project is something they personally want to exist/make happen. This is possible when you use nuanced communication to help them make the connection. It also helps when you show them that the solution is already being implemented elsewhere by similar groups.

Trabalhos de educação ambiental, também podem ser uma ótima ferramenta para facilitar a divulgação da informação de forma clara e objetiva.

Um outro fator fundamental para engajar clientes e partes interessadas com diferentes níveis de alfabetização ambiental é fornecer informações claras e concisas que sejam fáceis de entender e agir. Você pode usar recursos visuais, como gráficos, tabelas, mapas ou infográficos, para transmitir dados complexos ou técnicos de forma simples e atraente. Você também pode usar analogias, metáforas ou comparações para explicar conceitos desconhecidos ou abstratos de uma maneira familiar ou concreta. Além disso, você pode usar marcadores, títulos ou resumos para destacar as principais mensagens e recomendações do seu projeto de consultoria ambiental.

Less is always more when starting in this space! Make sure all of your initial data and information is high-level, speaks to the initial mission and vision of the project, and allows both you and your client to move to greater detail and granularity as they are more comfortable with everything surrounding their project. There’s nothing worse than a kick-off meeting—or even an initial meeting set!—where a client is forced to wade through documents with hundreds of pages and tons of Appendices that raise more questions than answers. It will lead to tons of confusion and frustration, and likely lead to the doubling or quadrupling of meetings needed to come to consensus on strategy and move to tactics and action.

D'après mon expérience, il est important d'adapter son discours et les termes utilisés à l'audience qui sera notre client. J'utilise souvent des exemples concrets du quotidien, ou des exemples de l'actualité, pour adapter mes communications.

La información que se facilite nunca puede ser redundante ni abrumadora. Hay que ser claros y concisos, focalizando la exposición en la información relevante para la persona a la que nos dirigimos, explicando el por qué es importante para el cliente o grupo de interés y dejando claro los conceptos científico técnicos relevantes. Hay que recordar que no estamos dando una clase sobre sostenibilidad o protección del medio ambiente, sino aportando una solución a una problemática concreta para un cliente. El valor añadido está en reaccionar a sus necesidades desde la consultoría ambiental.

In my opinion, the most effective ways to deal with clients and stakeholders with varying environmental literacy involve clear, tailored communication, avoiding jargon, and providing relevant examples. Building trust through transparency, offering educational resources, and engaging in open dialogue are also key.

Actively listening to stakeholders' feedback and acknowledging their perspectives should help foster a culture of respectful exchange. Additionally, you could solicit input through surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one discussions to ensure a range of voices are heard and considered.

Entretanto, apenas pedir contribuição, feedback e participação, pode não ser suficiente. As pessoas se sentem intimidadas ou acham que não tem conhecimento para contribuir. Nesse sentido, aprendi que é preciso um ambiente de confiança e seguro para que as pessoas interajam. Além disso, é importante fazer as perguntas, relacionando com o dia-a-dia e trazendo a própria experiência para se aproximar do público.

Based on my experience, I've found that providing workshops or training sessions is crucial for fostering participation and increasing environmental literacy on a project. For instance, conducting short toolbox talks, where specialists engage with non-technical team members during weekly catchups, can be highly effective. These sessions offer stakeholders opportunities to learn about specific environmental topics at their own pace and encourage active participation through hands-on experiences.

One of the things that worked well is having and engaging a community champion. Having someone you can work with directly, who understands the community, the organization or institution works wonders. A bonus is them also being passionate about the work being done.

Don't just talk at them, get them involved! Ask for their questions and concerns, and create opportunities for them to participate in the conversation. This will help them feel invested in the process and more likely to support your environmental initiatives.

Com base na minha vivência profissional, acredito que para engajarmos clientes e stakeholders de diferentes níveis de alfabetização ambiental é necessário entender suas principais necessidades e expectativas, avaliá-las, entender seus riscos e oportunidades. A partir disso, estabelecer um plano com foco no tratamento e acompanhamento de suas necessidades e expectativas, tratando os riscos e trazendo novas oportunidades ao mesmo.

Uma última dica para engajar clientes e partes interessadas com diferentes níveis de alfabetização ambiental é acompanhar e dar seguimento ao seu projeto de consultoria ambiental. Isso pode incluir o envio de atualizações regulares, relatórios ou boletins informativos para mantê-los informados e interessados em seu progresso e resultados. Além disso, você pode fornecer recursos adicionais, como guias, ferramentas ou links, para ajudá-los a aprender mais ou implementar suas recomendações. Também é importante agradecê-los por sua colaboração e apoio, e solicitar seus comentários ou depoimentos para avaliar seu desempenho e melhorar seu serviço.

Don't leave them hanging after your initial engagement. Keep them updated on progress and demonstrate the positive impact of their involvement. This will help to build trust and keep them engaged in the long run.

As you mentioned and my answer number one and number two, it is important to introduce clients to all monitoring processes shared between the client and the consulting firm. The results are what motivate and create a meeting for your work group that is convinced through the established follow-up and monitoring metrics. It is very important for clients to acquire the right tools and vocabularies to perform in both the business task and the daily field of operations. We give this when adding clients where they empower their company with technical words but with the necessary knowledge to be able to explain and apply them.

Following up demonstrates reliability, reinforces trust, and ensures that stakeholders feel heard and valued. Following through is vital to build trust also, and is often a contractual requirement depending on the project!

Humildade. É preciso ter clareza de que as comunidades possuem outro tipo de conhecimento e inteligência. Além disso, conhecem o território como ninguém e possuem a sensibilidade dos eventos naturais do local. Então isso precisa ser absorvido e incorporado aos estudos e relatórios, já que a consideração das tradições e da cultura local são determinantes para o bom andamento dos projetos.

Two other important aspects that I think should be considered are: 1. Customization of materials by adapting content and formats to suit the varying levels of environmental literacy among stakeholders, using simplified language and visuals for those with limited understanding and more detailed resources for those with higher knowledge. 2. Demonstration of benefits by quantifying economic, social, and environmental advantages, showcasing successful case studies, and aligning initiatives with stakeholders' priorities to emphasize the long-term value of sustainability efforts.

Demonstrate respect. That means that you ask more than you state. It means that you listen to what was said and repeat it back with a request to validate your understanding.

When considering the 'environmental literacy' in particular, there are a variety of experiential learning activities (like the Climate Fresk) that allow people with many different knowledge levels to discuss the topic in question, while teaching those with 'low literacy' the basics. These kind of adult-learning activities can be a fantastic way to spread knowledge in a way that doesn't feel like 'school'. At the same time, different people have different learning preferences. In this way, providing a variety of different learning opportunities can be very beneficial to the project outcomes, to ensure that stakeholders can select the learning activities that align best with their preferences.

Being courteous even in this age of hurry, emails and IMs. Addressing people properly, saying "please" and acknowledging and thanking people for their correspondence goes a long way. On top of that, courtesy and manners - whether they be good or bad - are a reflection of your character.