"When conducting an internal audit, we must think with the utmost objectivity, which is why training is so important."
Yann Malhouitre has been an audit mission leader at SNCF since 2021 and completed the “Adapting Your Organization to Climate Change” training course in September 2024. A graduate of the “Building Your Climate Roadmap” training course since 2022, Yann decided to return to Académie Carbone 4 to learn more about the concept of adaptation and physical risks in the context of an audit mission. Testimonial.
Adapting Your Organization to Climate Change
Could you tell us a little about your professional background?
I have spent my entire career at SNCF in various roles: operations manager, project manager, and rail operations safety consultant. Four years ago, I joined the Internal Audit Department as an Audit Manager. My role is to audit the SNCF Group’s management of major risks. We work in teams of two or three people over a three-month period to identify issues and make recommendations aimed at improving the management of these risks.
What were your professional challenges at that time?
One of my assignments focused on climate change adaptation, and since I had no training in these areas, I decided to reach out to the Académie Carbone 4 to learn more about these topics and the OCARA methodology. My assignment was to assess how the various railway companies within the SNCF were implementing the concept of adaptation. As project manager, I knew I wouldn’t be applying the OCARA method directly, but I wanted to understand how it works.
What made you decide to sign up?
I was already familiar with Académie Carbone 4 because I took the “Climate & Business” course in 2022 [Editor's note: now titled “Building Your Climate Roadmap”]. When I was assigned to this mission, I looked online to see how and where I could get training on adaptation issues. I naturally ended up turning to Académie Carbone 4. When conducting internal audits, you have to think with the utmost objectivity, which is why it’s so important to base your training on scientific data and facts—especially when dealing with environmental issues.
What aspects of the training made the biggest impression on you?
Given my work schedule, the 100% online format—with its weekly virtual classes held in short sessions and resources to read and watch between each session—seemed very well-suited to my needs. I found the program flexible and easy to fit into my work schedule. The e-learning platform is easily accessible; I sometimes took the online courses while commuting.
Did you find the teaching methods and tools provided helpful?
Yes, I found the teaching approach clear and the tools very well designed to support each person’s progress. Since I already had a basic understanding of major climate issues, I was able to follow the course without any difficulty. But it really is an accessible course, even for people starting from scratch.
What skills or knowledge did you gain from the training?
Beyond the theoretical insights into physical risks and adaptation challenges, the training above all gave me a comprehensive and structured understanding of the subject. This was invaluable for my audit assignment: I was able to get up to speed much more quickly. It’s a real efficiency boost that allows me to quickly get up to speed on the audit assignment and understand the work of those implementing the OCARA method.