Behaviour Change for Sustainability

Before diving into the practical aspects of sustainability, this lecture invites you to reflect on why your business should pursue it. You’ll explore the concept of ESG and what each pillar means for an organisation. This lecture, along with the rest of Section 2, comes from our Sustainability in Practice (SIP) course. If you’ve already completed SIP, consider using this section as a refresher or skip ahead.

In this lecture, we discuss "The Stick", the regulatory and policy drivers that push businesses towards sustainability. Learn about the role of regulations, compliance requirements, and policy changes that create pressure for organisations to adapt. Understanding these external forces is crucial for recognising why sustainability is no longer optional but a necessity for future-proofing your business.

This lecture explores the "Carrot", the opportunities for businesses that proactively embrace sustainability. Laura discusses how organisations can leverage change to become leaders in their industry, rather than just responding to external pressures. Using a simple analogy, she highlights different motivations for change and emphasises that embracing sustainability can lead to numerous benefits, including improved environment, reputation, and leadership position.

In this lecture, we delve deeper into the components of ESG. Laura explains the importance of understanding these concepts in detail, particularly through the lens of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The focus will be on impact materiality, which assesses the effects an organisation has on its surroundings. This foundational knowledge will prepare you for the practical activities to come, emphasising the necessity of a tailored approach to sustainability for your business.

In this lecture, we delve deeper into the components of ESG. Laura explains the importance of understanding these concepts in detail, particularly through the lens of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The focus will be on impact materiality, which assesses the effects an organisation has on its surroundings. This foundational knowledge will prepare you for the practical activities to come, emphasising the necessity of a tailored approach to sustainability for your business.

In this lecture, we explore the Iceberg metaphor to illustrate the 80/20 rule in the context of sustainability. By applying this metaphor, we can gain deeper insights into the complexities of sustainability, recognising the importance of addressing both the visible and invisible aspects to drive meaningful change within organisations.

In this lecture, we dive into the Iceberg model to examine how visibility affects perceptions of sustainability in organisations. By understanding this model, you’ll gain insights into the importance of recognising and communicating both the visible and invisible efforts that contribute to your organisation’s sustainability journey.

In this lecture, we explore how applying a behavioural lens to sustainability starts with defining the new behaviours we want to drive. Without clear goals, change efforts risk falling flat, like asking people to climb a mountain without showing them the way. You’ll learn why goal-setting is essential for success and how human-centred strategies can align company objectives with real behavioural change.

In this lecture, we unpack the concept of a Just Transition, a framework for moving from business-as-usual models to sustainable practices in ways that are fair and inclusive. You’ll learn how sustainability requires not only new processes, but also new skills, activities, and behaviours, and why it’s essential to make sure no group is left behind as industries and economies transform.

Before any transition can succeed, businesses must define their sustainability ambition and identify who needs to be involved. This lecture introduces the concept of a Just Transition, highlighting why stakeholders, internal and external, are essential partners in shaping and delivering meaningful change.

Building on stakeholder importance, this session explores how transitions require individuals and organisations to shift their own habits and expectations. You’ll reflect on different reactions to change and build awareness of the human side of sustainability journeys. In the upcoming videos, examples from diverse sectors and workplaces will be used to highlight some of the ways sustainability requires people to change.

This lecture introduces the broader idea of transition: environmental, social, and digital. You’ll explore real-world examples that demonstrate how sustainability takes shape in practice, from manufacturing to mobility, setting the stage for the case studies that follow.

This session explores what it could mean for people and organisations to shift from familiar, linear ways of working to new circular approaches in manufacturing. We reflect on the behavioural and mindset changes required as teams adapt to new processes, roles, and expectations. You’ll gain insight into how this shift impacts day-to-day work and what it takes for people to embrace new ways of doing things.

This session looks at what happens when organisations shift from familiar paper-based routines to digital ways of working. We focus on the behavioural and mindset changes involved in adopting new tools and processes, and how this transition can reshape everyday habits, collaboration, and expectations within teams.

This session explores how changing long-established habits around food waste can lead to new ways of thinking and working. We look at what it means for people and teams to reconsider routines, challenge assumptions about waste, and adopt more mindful practices in their day-to-day roles.

This session explores what it takes for people and organisations to shift from car-dependent routines to alternative ways of commuting. We look at the behavioural and practical changes involved in adopting cycling as a new habit, and reflect on how this transition can influence daily routines, comfort levels, and workplace norms.

Change looks different for everyone. This lecture explores how organisations can support people at different stages of the sustainability journey, recognising that while some move quickly, others need more guidance. You’ll reflect on how, by incorporating empathy, flexibility, and innovation methods, we can better design initiatives that meet people where they are.

This lecture introduces the “Intention-Action Gap”. The common challenge is where strong intentions fail to translate into lasting action. Using examples like New Year’s resolutions, we’ll explore how this gap also appears in sustainability when organisations set goals without clear structures or plans. You’ll learn why consistency, planning, and specificity are critical to turning good intentions into meaningful results.

Building on the previous lecture, this video unpacks the reasons why the Intention-Action Gap exists. You’ll learn how mental, social, physical, and situational factors shape behaviour and influence whether sustainability efforts take hold. The session encourages reflection on which behaviours your organisation aims to nurture, and how to design environments that make those actions easier and more natural.

In this lecture, you’ll be introduced to the COM-B model, a powerful framework for understanding behaviour change developed by Susan Michie, Maartje van Stralen, and Robert West in 2011. COM-B stands for Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation, the three factors that drive behaviour. We’ll break down how each component shapes actions and how this model can be used to design effective, practical interventions for sustainability.

In this short video, we outline the next steps in applying the COM-B model to your organisation. You’ll learn the three key stages of the behaviour change process: (1) designing guiding questions to explore Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation; (2) answering these questions to uncover barriers and enablers; and (3) designing practical interventions that address those insights. This recording connects the theory you’ve just learned to the hands-on activities that follow, helping you move from understanding behaviours to shaping meaningful change.

After defining the behaviours we want to change, it’s time to dig deeper. In this lecture, we learn how to frame guiding questions around Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation, the core elements of the COM-B model. These questions help identify what enables or prevents behaviour change, providing a clear foundation for designing effective sustainability interventions.

In this lecture, we apply the COM-B model to the Going Digital: The Paperless Office Journey case. You’ll see how Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation interact to shape behaviour within an organisation, and how identifying these factors can guide the shift toward more sustainable, digital practices.

In this lecture, we apply the COM-B model to the From Cars to Chains: Making Cycling Easy and Attractive case. You’ll explore how Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation influence transport choices and learn how organisations can design interventions that make sustainable commuting simpler and more appealing.

In this recap, we review the COM-B model and reflect on how it can support sustainability in your organisation. You’ll see how to apply this framework and use the provided resources to kickstart your Just Transition plan.

In this bonus lecture, we emphasise the importance of understanding the business context as a critical step in applying sustainability effectively. To make a meaningful impact, it's essential to examine your organisation’s current practices. Laura will introduce a creative analogy featuring her friend, the ostrich, to illustrate the necessity of confronting reality rather than burying our heads in the sand. This engaging approach will help you recognise the significance of a thorough internal assessment in driving sustainable change within your organisation.

In this lecture, we recap the process for analysing behaviours through a behavioural lens. You’ll review how to define the desired behaviour, understand the current context using the COM-B model, and identify the key questions that uncover barriers and enablers to change.

This lecture introduces the process of identifying gaps and opportunities for change. You’ll explore how to move from defining a desired behaviour to examining the current context and uncovering what may be enabling or preventing change.

This lecture introduces the process of moving from behavioural insights to potential solutions. You’ll explore how to begin shaping approaches that respond to the gaps identified. This session focuses on designing thoughtful, human-centred solutions.

In this lecture, we explore how to translate broad intentions into clear, actionable SMART goals. You’ll learn how to make sustainability objectives Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, helping you make behaviour change projects stay focused, realistic, and impactful.

In this lecture, we connect key learning objectives to real-world sustainability practices. You’ll revisit essential concepts such as the Just Transition, stakeholder engagement, and the Intention-Action Gap, understanding how they work together to drive meaningful organisational change.

In this lecture, we will explore the concept of sustainability not just as a destination but as an ongoing journey that offers organisations a unique opportunity for growth and improvement. We will discuss how embracing sustainability can enhance organisational performance, foster unity among employees around a shared mission, and create lasting value for people, the planet, and profits.

In this final lecture, we explore what Behaviour Change for Sustainability (BCS) looks like in action. You’ll learn how to develop future-focused skills, build new habits and routines that drive change, and update existing processes to align with a sustainable, forward-looking vision.

In this closing lecture, we reflect on your learning journey through Behaviour Change for Sustainability. You’ll revisit the key concepts, from the COM-B model to the Just Transition, and consider how to apply them in your organisation. This is your moment to celebrate progress, reflect on growth, and continue leading meaningful, sustainable change.

In this recap, we highlight the course’s key lessons: why behaviour change is essential for sustainability, how the COM-B model guides interventions, the importance of a Just Transition, and ways to apply these concepts through clear goals and practical actions.

In this final message, Laura shares some closing thoughts and next steps for your sustainability journey. You’ll be invited to continue learning by exploring our Sustainability in Practice course, a great companion to deepen your understanding. We also encourage you to stay connected with Colectivo: follow us on LinkedIn, reach out via email, and let us know how we can support you in driving meaningful change within your organisation. Your journey toward behaviour-led sustainability doesn’t end here, it’s just beginning.