Global professional services firm Deloitte announced the launch of its new global Sustainability & Climate learning program aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of its 415,000 global employees and building the proficiency of its professionals on climate and sustainability issues.

Deloitte also said that it will offer clients and its supplier network with learning and development opportunities to help drive sustainability-related collaboration and action.

According to Deloitte CEO Punit Renjen, the new initiative comes as the firm is seeing increased demand from clients for “greater information and guidance on sustainability issues, approaches to addressing the climate crisis, and good corporate governance.”

Renjen added:

“Our Sustainability & Climate learning program will give our professionals the critical insights needed to expand their skillsets, grow their careers, and serve as trusted advisors to clients as they transform their organizations.”

The new learning initiative stems from Deloitte’s Global Sustainability & Climate practice. Deloitte announced plans last year to invest $1 billion in the practice to enhance the firm’s capabilities, assets and services to support clients and address sustainability-related needs. The practice supports the firm’s clients in redefining their strategies, embedding sustainability into their operations, meeting tax, disclosure and regulatory requirements, and accelerating their organizational and value chain transformation.

The new program follows the launch last year by Deloitte of its WorldClimate learning program, aimed at engaging employees on their contributions to climate change, and inform them about how Deloitte is responding to the climate crisis. More than 300,000 professionals participated in the training in its first year.

Deloitte said that its Sustainability & Climate learning program will be offered virtually and through the network of Deloitte Universities, and will also be available through a combination of education, experience, and exposure opportunities, such as industry simulations, intensive bootcamps, onboarding, mentorship, and practitioner guilds.

Jennifer Steinmann, Deloitte Global Sustainability & Climate practice leader, said:

“All organizations are navigating the complexities of the climate crisis. To rise to this challenge and move from sustainability commitments to action, we must drive change through broad collaboration. Deloitte is uniquely positioned to bring sustainability fluency to our professionals, clients and supplier network. Together, we can reimagine the way we work—and build resilient organizations that are sustainable well into the future.”