Developing a Sustainability Strategy

Written By James Taylor

Course Description

This training course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy for their organisations. Participants will learn the key elements of sustainability, understand the importance of a strategic approach, and gain practical tools and frameworks to develop and implement a sustainability strategy aligned with their organisation's goals. Through interactive exercises, case studies, and group discussions, participants will be equipped with the necessary skills to create a sustainability roadmap that addresses environmental, social, and economic considerations.

Please note: That this training course is not open to individual participants. We only offer this training course for an organisation and tailor it to their context and needs. Please contact us by email (team@alerongroup.com) or phone (+44 (0)800 246 1319) to learn more about how your organisation can benefit from this training.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainability

  • Understanding the concept of sustainability

  • Exploring the triple bottom line: environment, social, and economic aspects

  • Recognising the value and benefits of a sustainability strategy

  • Overview of sustainability frameworks and guidelines

Module 2: Setting the Context: Internal and External Assessment

  • Conducting an internal assessment of current sustainability practices

  • External assessment: analysing industry trends and benchmarks

  • Identifying stakeholder expectations and engagement opportunities

  • Understanding the importance of materiality assessment

Module 3: Vision, Goals, and Targets

  • Developing a sustainability vision aligned with organisational values

  • Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) sustainability goals

  • Establishing targets and performance indicators for tracking progress

  • Cascading sustainability goals throughout the organisation

Module 4: Integration with Organisational Strategy

  • Aligning sustainability strategy with the overall organisational strategy

  • Integrating sustainability considerations into decision-making processes

  • Establishing governance structures and responsibilities for sustainability

  • Ensuring leadership buy-in and support for sustainability initiatives

Module 5: Environmental Sustainability

  • Addressing environmental sustainability aspects

  • Energy and water conservation strategies

  • Waste management and circular economy principles

  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation measures

Module 6: Social Sustainability

  • Understanding social sustainability dimensions

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

  • Stakeholder engagement and community relations

  • Employee well-being and labor practices

Module 7: Economic Sustainability

  • Incorporating economic sustainability into the strategy

  • Financial considerations and return on investment (ROI) analysis

  • Sustainable supply chain management

  • Product and service innovation for sustainability

Module 8: Developing Action Plans

  • Translating sustainability goals into actionable initiatives

  • Prioritising initiatives based on impact and feasibility

  • Developing implementation plans, timelines, and resource allocation

  • Creating a framework for monitoring and evaluation

Module 9: Collaboration and Partnerships

  • Leveraging collaboration and partnerships for sustainability impact

  • Engaging with stakeholders and forming strategic alliances

  • Collaborative initiatives and collective action for sustainability

  • Sharing best practices and lessons learned

Module 10: Communication and Reporting

  • Developing a communication strategy for sustainability initiatives

  • Internal and external communication channels and messages

  • Sustainability reporting frameworks and standards (e.g., GRI, SASB)

  • Transparent and meaningful reporting for stakeholders

Course Duration

The course is designed to be delivered over a span of 10 weeks, with one module per week. However, the duration and intensity of the course can be adjusted according to the specific needs and requirements of your organisation and the participants.

Target Audience

  • Sustainability managers and professionals

  • Environmental and social responsibility practitioners

  • Strategy and planning professionals

  • Executives and senior leaders

  • Individuals interested in integrating sustainability into organisational strategy

Prerequisites

There are no strict prerequisites for this course. However, participants should have a basic understanding of sustainability concepts and organisational dynamics.

Course Delivery Method

The course can be delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies, group discussions, hand-outs.

James Taylor
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