IEMA Corporate Partnerships Case Study: Driving Change: How Green Skills Are Shaping the Future of Organisations

In the pursuit of sustainability, it’s clear that leadership commitment is essential to making meaningful, long-term changes. One IEMA Corporate Partner, Amey Group, after attending IEMA’s tailored sustainability training programme, successfully integrated sustainability into its business strategy across all levels. This case study demonstrates how leadership-driven training, focused on green skills, can transform an organisation’s sustainability efforts, driving both culture change and operational impact.

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The Challenge: Amey Group recognised that to achieve its sustainability goals, it needed to do more than simply adopt policies or initiatives. It needed to create a culture that prioritised sustainability at every level. The company’s leadership understood that equipping employees with the right green skills was key to embedding sustainability into their organisational DNA   

The Solution: IEMA’s tailored training programme helped Amey Group achieve this. The training sessions, which included both in-person and virtual options, were designed to align with the specific needs of the organisation. They focused on equipping leaders and staff with practical tools, insights, and the confidence to make sustainability a central part of their roles.

One of the key aspects of this training was the creation of a safe space for employees to share thoughts and ideas openly. This fostered a culture of inclusivity, where every voice was heard, and sustainability became everyone’s responsibility. 

Key Features of the Training Programme: 

  1. Leadership Engagement: Amey Group’s leadership took an active role in the training, not only participating but helping to shape the direction of the programme. Their commitment was crucial in driving sustainability efforts throughout the organisation, from senior management to operational staff. 

  2. Tailored Training to Drive Action: The training wasn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It was specifically designed to meet the company’s unique needs and sustainability goals. Employees were given practical tools they could immediately apply, with a strong emphasis on accountability and tracking progress. 

  3. Empowering Sustainable Change: Training didn’t stop at learning; it focused on empowering individuals to act. Leaders were held accountable for the commitments they made during the programme, with regular check-ins to ensure that sustainability remained a priority. Collective leadership boards were used to track progress, ensuring transparency and fostering shared ownership of sustainability goals. 

  4. A Culture of Sustainability: Sustainability wasn’t just a top-down directive; it became part of the company’s culture. Amey Group launched the “Planet Plus” environmental culture programme, reinforcing sustainable behaviours at every level. The leadership training laid the foundation for this cultural shift, ensuring that sustainability and green skills were integrated into daily operations and decision-making.  

  5. Supply Chain Collaboration: Amey Group recognised the importance of engaging suppliers in its sustainability journey. By collaborating with suppliers, even those with fewer resources, the company was able to extend its sustainability efforts beyond its own walls. 

Measuring Success: The results were clear. Sustainability became a regular topic of conversation at all levels of the organisation, from leadership discussions to everyday operational activities. Employees reported feeling more empowered to make sustainable choices, and leaders reflected on their progress, transitioning from compliance to true leadership in sustainability. 

Dont just take our word for it this is what Amey Group had to say “The Leading with Sustainability course run with IEMA has provided our teams with thought provoking content that has challenged the thinking and behaviours of those that attended.  Weve received positive feedback from attendees regarding the delivery of the sessions and that conversations are taking place across teams regarding their environmental impacts.  The Leading with Sustainability course has inspired our leaders to make changes and develop and influence those around them”

The Key Takeaways: 

  • Leadership Commitment: Successful sustainability initiatives need strong leadership that actively participates in training and supports long-term sustainability goals. 
  • Building Green Skills: Providing employees with the knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable practices is essential for long-term impact." 
  • Tailored Training for Real Impact: One-size-fits-all solutions don’t work. Tailored, relevant training ensures sustainability is ingrained at every level of the organisation. 
  • Continuous Learning and Accountability: Sustainability is an ongoing journey. Training should not be a one-off event but part of a continuous learning process that encourages accountability and tracks progress. 
  • Engage the Whole Organisation: Sustainability isn’t just the responsibility of senior management; it requires involvement from everyone, including operational staff and suppliers. 

Conclusion: This case study demonstrates that embedding sustainability into an organisation’s culture requires leadership commitment, tailored training, and an ongoing focus on accountability and action. By fostering a supportive environment for learning and collaboration, companies can drive lasting impact and make sustainability a core part of their business strategy. 

Ready to Drive Sustainability in Your Organisation? If you're looking to integrate sustainability into your business strategy with a customised approach that delivers measurable results, IEMA’s tailored corporate partnership program can help. Get in touch today to learn how we can support your sustainability journey here.


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Jo Watson AIEMA

Head of Corporate Partnerships

Jo has been with IEMA since 2021 and leads the Corporate Partnerships Team, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team she also drives the strategy and oversees the delivery of impactful results aligned with IEMA’s wider organisational objectives. In her role, also directly manages a number of relationships with key partners across IEMA’s diverse corporate partner portfolio. Jo is passionate about fostering meaningful partnerships with organisations from a wide range of sectors. She is dedicated to supporting IEMA’s corporate partners in building green skills capabilities, empowering them to achieve their strategic goals through tailored training, learning, and upskilling initiatives across all job families. With a BSc Honours Degree in Earth Science and as an Associate Member of IEMA (AIEMA), Jo blends her academic background with extensive professional expertise to ensure every partnership contributes effectively to advancing sustainability and environmental goals.