Integrating sustainability into Further Education (FE) institutions is essential for preparing students to address environmental challenges and contribute to a sustainable future. Effective communication strategies are pivotal in embedding sustainability within the culture and operations of FE colleges. Here are key steps to enhance sustainability communication within the FE sector:
A generic approach may fail to engage key audiences such as academic departments, administrative units, and students with varying priorities.
Personalised messaging that aligns with stakeholders' interests increases participation and ensures inclusivity in sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability efforts may appear superficial if not integrated into the institution’s core mission and identity.
A sustainability-focused brand enhances credibility and attracts students and staff committed to environmental and social responsibility.
Staff often feel overwhelmed by competing demands and may perceive sustainability as a low priority.
Staff engagement is critical to embedding sustainability into everyday operations, from procurement and energy management to teaching and mentoring.
Practical Steps:
• Professional Development: Offer sustainability training as part of professional development programs.
• Empower Staff Champions: Identify sustainability champions within departments to lead by example.
• Create Recognition Programs: Reward sustainability contributions through awards and features in internal newsletters.
• Case Study: Green Impact is A UNESCO award-winning programme to embed environmentally and socially sustainable practice across your teams and departments. Delivering a bespoke programme for universities, colleges, and research institutes to support staff and students to learn about and lead on sustainability in a holistic way. Green Impact includes practical steps to improve environmental sustainability, embedding sustainability into the curriculum, enhancing the social fabric of institutions, and improving wellbeing.
Takeaway: Staff play a pivotal role in sustainability transitions. By involving them in decision-making and recognising their contributions, institutions can foster a culture of shared responsibility.
Students are often enthusiastic about sustainability but may lack the platform or guidance to contribute meaningfully.
Students are powerful advocates for change within and beyond campus. Their engagement can drive initiatives that enhance campus sustainability and contribute to broader societal impact.
• Support Student-Led Initiatives: Provide funding and mentoring for student sustainability projects.
• Foster Collaborative Spaces: Create forums where students can propose and co-create sustainability solutions.
• Enhance Curricula: Integrate sustainability topics into coursework across disciplines.
• Example: The University of British Columbia’s Sustainability Ambassadors Program empowered students to lead campus-wide energy-saving campaigns.
Takeaway: Empowering students to take ownership of sustainability projects not only builds their leadership skills but also strengthens the institution’s sustainability reputation.
Resistance to change and short-term thinking can undermine long-term sustainability efforts.
Sustainability initiatives often require systemic changes that can disrupt established routines and challenge institutional norms.
• Foster Transparent Communication: Be upfront about challenges, timelines, and expected impacts of sustainability projects.
• Integrate Long-Term Goals into Performance Metrics: Incorporate sustainability KPIs into departmental evaluations and annual reports.
• Engage Leadership: Ensure senior leaders actively participate in and endorse sustainability initiatives.
• Case Study: The University of Lüneburg engaged faculty leadership in sustainability action plans, reinforcing their alignment with strategic goals.
Takeaway: Addressing institutional barriers requires long-term vision, clear accountability, and leadership support.
Stakeholders may lose trust if institutions do not communicate both progress and challenges in meeting sustainability goals.
Consistent updates on progress demonstrate accountability and foster stakeholder confidence in the institution’s commitment to sustainability.
• Publish Transparent Reports: Share annual reports with updates on key sustainability metrics.
• Recognize Contributions: Celebrate success stories in newsletters, webinars, and public events.
• Solicit Feedback: Use surveys and focus groups to gather feedback on communication effectiveness and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Example: Institutions that publish interactive sustainability reports often see higher engagement and feedback from stakeholders.
Takeaway: Transparent reporting builds trust and reinforces a culture of continuous improvement.
Effective sustainability communication ensures that all stakeholders—students, staff, leadership, and the wider community—understand the institution’s environmental goals and how they can contribute. It strengthens institutional identity, builds engagement, and aligns efforts with national and global sustainability targets.
Common challenges include:
Lack of a unified sustainability vision
Using overly technical or inaccessible language
Inconsistent messaging across departments
Limited stakeholder engagement due to generic communications
Start by breaking sustainability into three actionable pillars—environmental, social, and economic. Use plain, inclusive language and visual tools (e.g., infographics, dashboards) to communicate goals and track progress. This approach ensures transparency and accessibility across diverse stakeholder groups.
Students are vital sustainability ambassadors. Their involvement through peer-led initiatives, student councils, or eco societies can significantly improve awareness and engagement. Institutions that empower students to lead campaigns and feedback sessions foster a stronger culture of co-ownership and accountability.
FE colleges can:
Integrate sustainability messaging into all marketing materials
Highlight success stories and measurable outcomes
Feature partnerships with local businesses or sustainability leaders
Show evidence of long-term commitment through strategy documents and community projects
Embedding sustainability in branding enhances reputation and attracts students with shared values.
Yes. The University of Sussex is launching the UK’s first undergraduate degree in Climate Justice, Sustainability and Development in 2026. This program was developed in response to student demand for education focused on social and environmental justice and aims to equip students with practical and theoretical tools for climate leadership 1.
Success can be tracked through:
Stakeholder surveys
Engagement metrics (event attendance, campaign participation, email open rates)
Internal audits or annual sustainability reports
Visibility of sustainability in campus culture and materials
Use platforms like NewZapp to automate, segment, and measure communication performance across audience groups.
Here are three valuable sources:
EAUC’s SORTED Guide to Sustainability in FE:
https://www.sustainabilityexchange.ac.uk/sorted_guide_to_sustainability_in_further_educa
ERIC – Communicating Sustainability in HEIs:
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ941426
ScienceDirect – Sustainability Strategy Case Study in HE:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652619306626
These offer frameworks, case studies, and research specific to educational settings.
Email marketing platforms like NewZapp are ideal for securely delivering segmented, engaging, and compliant messages across campus. With features like automated journeys, detailed analytics, and accessibility tools, FE institutions can keep sustainability top of mind for every audience.
Begin with an internal audit:
What is your current sustainability goal?
Who are your stakeholders, and how do they prefer to receive information?
What resources are available for campaigns, workshops, and feedback loops?
From there, build a roadmap that includes content planning, stakeholder engagement, and impact reporting. For expert guidance, consider scheduling a NewZapp demo to explore communication strategies tailored to education.