Building effective sustainability training for employees

The urgent need to address climate change is increasingly recognised worldwide, leading to a surge in organisations committing to sustainable practices. However, achieving these goals goes beyond adopting new technologies or setting ambitious targets—it requires sustainability training for employees. Equipping the workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills is essential to drive the transition toward a sustainable business model, as sustainability cannot rely on a single role alone.

Sustainability upskilling is becoming increasingly important because business sustainability is no longer just a matter of ticking a box on corporate social responsibility or compliance; it is also good for business. Workforces skilled in sustainability will help drive their organisations to achieve their sustainability goals, reduce their impact, and enhance their brand image and reputation, all the while maintaining or increasing profitability. Keep reading as we delve into the importance of sustainability in the workplace and how to create sustainability training for employees. 

The importance of sustainability in the workplace 

According to new research from Skillnet Ireland, over 60 percent of businesses in Ireland believe their workforce will need upskilling in sustainability to navigate today’s complex business world and remain competitive. The nationally representative survey by Skillnet, featuring 500 business leaders from businesses of all sectors, sizes, and regions in Ireland, also found that 35 percent of all businesses consider sustainability and climate action to be critical skill areas for growing their businesses in the next two to three years. 

The shift to sustainability is justified when you consider that it can act as a significant differentiator within markets since consumers are becoming more inclined to support brands that are environmentally responsible. Moreover, sustainable businesses are better positioned for long-term success because they ensure they operate within the planet’s ecological limits and address social equity issues. 

Sustainability as a growth driver is something we’re already witnessing as investors are increasingly attracted to sustainable businesses. Companies with strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics are enjoying better access to capital. Sustainable practices are also helping businesses efficiently identify and mitigate risks related to climate change, social issues, and resource scarcity, thereby ensuring business resilience.

Companies adopting sustainable practices are ensuring they are compliant with environmental regulations, enabling them to avoid fines and enhance their reputation. In addition, implementing sustainable practices is helping businesses make substantial cost savings. For example, energy-efficient processes and waste reduction initiatives are leading to lower operational costs.

Simultaneously, the trend of “climate quitting,” where workers leave companies that fail to act on sustainability, is heating up. A strong commitment to sustainability is helping companies globally attract and retain top talent, particularly among young generations who prioritise working for ethically responsible businesses. Employees are more likely to feel proud and motivated to work for a company that values sustainability, resulting in higher job satisfaction and retention rates.

How to develop sustainability training for employees</b>

Developing a sustainability training programme for employees involves a structured approach to ensure it is comprehensive, engaging, and aligned with organisational goals. Below are the steps to create an effective sustainability training programme.

1. Identify training needs

The first step is to identify what level of training your employees need. To determine this, you can use surveys and assessments to understand their current knowledge and identify gaps. It is also important to evaluate the sustainability aspects of different job roles to tailor the training content accordingly. Moreover, you must ensure the training programme supports the company’s sustainability objectives. 

2. Set clear objectives

Once you have identified the training needs of your team, it is time to set the objectives of the programme. You should establish what the training programme strives to achieve. For example, does it aim to develop specific skills or do you hope the training will empower employees to change their behaviours? 

With our custom course pathways, you can tailor your team’s learning journeys according to their profession. For instance, a Finance professional could complete the Introduction to Business Sustainability, Sustainable Finance and ESG Reporting and Auditing courses to get an overview that is most relevant to their role. 

A Marketing professional, for instance, could complete the Introduction to Business Sustainability, Green Marketing and Communication, and ESG Reporting and Auditing courses to get a learning experience that is directly aligned with the strategic objectives of their role. Remember that the goals you set should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) to track progress and effectiveness. 

3. Design the curriculum

After you have identified the training needs of your team and set your objectives, you can get started on designing the curriculum; what exactly do you require your workforce to learn and understand? You will want to ensure the content is comprehensive and covers a wide range of sustainability topics that are relevant to your business and industry. Examples of topics include decarbonisation, waste management, biodiversity, sustainable finance, and green marketing. 

Make sure to include real-life case studies and practical exercises so your team can easily apply the concepts learned. Just as the content is important, it is also critical to think about delivery. In other words, incorporating various training formats will ensure your employees remain engaged. This means having a mix of different training formats, including workshops, webinars, and self-paced learning modules. 

4. Develop training materials

One of the most important components of a sustainability training programme is the resources. You can either develop your own materials or work with an educational provider who already has these materials created. 

Our Diploma in Business Sustainability course offers a foundational understanding of sustainability in business through videos, presentations, exercises, tools, infographics, and assessments. Moreover, participants can rest knowing they are getting the most up-to-date information as we ensure our courses are regularly updated and reflect the latest trends and best practices in sustainability.

Additionally, we offer custom pathways where organisations can tailor their team’s learning experience. The custom pathways enable organisations to choose from a diverse range of modules to meet their specific needs. Examples of modules include sustainability plan development, decarbonisation, circular economy, business with biodiversity, sustainable finance, and much more. 

5. Engage and motivate your employees

At this point, your team will have begun their sustainability training, but you will still need to engage and motivate them to ensure they complete the programme. Make sure that senior leadership is actively supporting and participating in the training. This will illustrate to staff how necessary it is. 

It is also a good idea to offer incentives for completing the training and recognise employees who are making strides. This training programme should not be the end of your team’s educational journey either. Encourage continuous learning through interactions, discussions, Q&A sessions, and group activities to foster a culture of sustainability. 

How to measure and evaluate the impact of sustainability training for employees

Businesses can measure and evaluate the impact of their sustainability training for employees by implementing a combination of quantitative and qualitative assessment methods. Quantitative measures involve tracking specific metrics such as energy consumption, waste reduction, and resource usage before and after the training. 

Some training programmes offer tools or templates to help achieve these metrics. For instance, our Certificate in CSRD course features a Double Materiality Assessment template, guiding participants through evaluating the significance of material factors. Additionally, pre and post-training assessments are crucial for establishing baseline data and evaluating changes in knowledge and behaviour among employees.

To enhance this approach, selecting a training programme with quizzes or knowledge checks at the end of each section is beneficial. Recording team performance in these knowledge checks in Excel provides a clear measure of knowledge acquisition. In addition to knowledge checks, our courses include apply and reflect activities where participants are given scenario-based problems to tackle. 

This ensures their learning is both practical and can be applied to real-world situations. Metrics like engagement rates and completion rates also offer an overview of the training’s effectiveness and its real impact on employees’ knowledge. Qualitative feedback complements these metrics by offering deeper insights into the training programme’s impact. 

Collecting feedback through surveys, interviews, and focus groups allows employees to share their experiences and suggest improvements. Observations and anecdotal evidence from managers about changes in daily operations and employee engagement in sustainability initiatives are also valuable. Engaging with employees through continuous feedback loops ensures the training remains relevant and effective.

Combining these approaches enables businesses to assess the immediate outcomes of their sustainability training and make informed decisions for ongoing improvements. This holistic evaluation strategy ensures that sustainability initiatives are both effective and deeply embedded in the organisational culture.

Next steps for effective sustainability training for employees

Upskilling employees in sustainability is crucial for organisations striving to achieve long-term environmental, social and economic goals. In an ideal scenario, companies would make general sustainability skills training available to all employees whilst also providing targeted training that is more specific to each individual’s role. 

This approach would have the most significant impact on building a sustainability-literate workforce, achieving organisational sustainability goals, and complying with growing sustainability regulations. At the Institute of Sustainability Studies, we offer robust team training options designed to equip employees with the necessary knowledge and skills to drive sustainable practices within their organisations. By investing in sustainability training, companies can ensure their workforce is well-prepared to meet regulatory requirements, enhance operational efficiency, and contribute to a sustainable future.