Do you want to embed sustainability in your career or workplace? Are you looking for new skills to transition into a different role?
Wherever you are on your learning or career journey, our Sustainability Leadership Skills Programme is for you.
Having such a holistic approach to the subject has been incredibly valuable.
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An interesting and thought-provoking course that gives you the tools you need.
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What is the Sustainability Leadership Skills Programme?

At a glance:
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Ten, 2 hour sessions, live online
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Interactive workshops with a mix of skills application, exploratory practice & lecture-style teaching.
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CIWM supported & membership
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Online platform with individual resources & activities to support learning
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An active network with online forum
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A certificate to showcase your skills
Next Course Dates
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Skills and Values. 8th May, 10am-12pm
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Environmental Sustainability. 15th May, 10am-12pm
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People & Planet. 22nd May, 10am-12pm
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Systemic Thinking. 29th May, 10am-12pm
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Ethics, Decisions & Culture. 5th June, 10am-12pm
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Creativity & Future Thinking. 12th June, 10am-12pm
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Responsible Project Management. 19th June, 10am-12pm
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Communicating Sustainability. 26th June, 10am-12pm
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Resilience in Change. 3rd July, 10am-12pm.
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Sustainability Leadership. 10th July, 10am-12pm
Course Content Overview
Accredited by the Leadership Skills Foundation and aligned to the GreenCorp Competence Framework and Inner Development Goals, the Programme supports professional journeys to Chartered Environmentalist via support from the CIWM.
1. Foundations of Sustainability
Setting the scene for the sustainability landscape that we work and live in.
Skills and Values
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The role of values and transferable skills in effective sustainability change
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Review the alignment of our own values and skills with the needs of a sustainable future
Environmental Sustainability
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Assess individual and collective impact on nature
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Review organisational approaches to environmental sustainability
People and Planet
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The implications of climate justice
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Sustainability as a holistic concept
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Experiment with a transdisciplinary approach to sustainability challenges
2. Framing the Future
Here we explore different perspectives to broaden and enhance our sustainability solutions. Becoming creative and the critical role of culture in shaping what success means.
Systemic Thinking
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Apply systems thinking principles to sustainability
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Identify examples of systems-based solutions including circular economy and doughnut economics
Ethics, Decisions and Culture
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Explore the role of culture, upbringing and circumstance in shaping our values and actions
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Analyse and apply key ethical frameworks to sustainability decisions
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Create a decision-making framework to support future practice.
Creativity & Future-Thinking
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Recognise the role of creativity in achieving a sustainable future
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Identify expected, alternative & ideal visions of change
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Work collaboratively to create inclusive & shared ideas
3. Collaborating for Change
Here we explore how we can collaborate to manage projects responsibly, and connect with others using nature as an inspiration to foster community-grown solutions.
Responsible Project Management
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Explain the key aspects of responsible project management
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Apply core project management tools
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Examine and identify the potential benefits and disbenefits of proposed action
Inclusive Communication
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Demonstrate active listening and empathy when collaborating with others
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Build stakeholder maps and create a shared values-driven vision of success
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Explore the principles of equity, inclusion and diversity and use frameworks to support them
4. Leadership and Action
We consider how to build resilient practices that support us and others to work sustainably and not burn out. Alongside this, we will recognize our own journey as a sustainability leader ready to thrive in the green transition.
Resilience in Change
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Explain and apply effective communication principles, backed by research
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Recognise the emotional implications of sustainability and the tools that can support
Sustainability Leadership
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Assess own impact on nature and the environment and steps to progress action
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Identify leadership styles and compare their strengths at individual, organisational and collective levels
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Build our leadership pathway as a sustainability practitioner
Sustainability Leadership Skills Prices
Pay What You Can
We are excited to offer up to 10 places on a Pay What You Can (minimum contribution £15 to cover certificate fee) basis to passionate, inspiring and proactive individuals to join our next cohort in May. You can find out more and apply here.
Ready to start your sustainability leadership journey?

The programme is supported by the CIWM and course participants will become eligible for Associate membership on completion. During the programme, they will benefit from free student membership.
