Sustainability is a team sport – Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton

This course is a step by step toolkit for launching and running sustainability teams (often known as green teams.) Starting a green team is not a difficult thing to do but often the simplest ideas never materialize into action because staff lack some basic instructions to spark the process.

The outcomes this digital course and toolkits include:

• Describe common sustainability initiatives and their business case.
• Form an integrative team to optimize environmental and social performance of an organization.
• Set sustainability goals and motivate a team to achieve them.
• Implement a sustainability initiative.
• Overcome challenges that hinder sustainability teams.
• Measure and articulate the benefits and results of sustainability.

This course was adopted by a university and college students in part time jobs with little or no authority or budget have launched over 50 green teams in 2019 and so far in 2020!

The impact of those who have gone through the course include sustainability initiatives such as:

• Install low flow toilets
• Donate excess food
• Add Electric Vehicle Charging stations/parking
• Reduce or eliminate plastic water bottle
• Eliminate unsustainable décor (balloons, confetti)
• Reduce printing or use two-sided printing
• Switch to environmentally preferable products
• Consider local vendors
• Plant onsite gardens
• Organize beach cleanups
• And more!

They also report greater levels of bonding, teamwork, and positive workplace culture. They have overcome common barriers (or excuses we typically hear from managers and executives) such as high turnover, crazy schedules, and language barriers.

Sometimes you just need a recipe to follow and the toolkits in this course will help you in just that way. But if you need even more support, sign up for coaching and spend 1 hour per month with an expert in sustainability who can help you troubleshoot problems, gain buy-in, stay on track, and be your ongoing cheerleader!