The Sustainability Leadership Programme gives you the skills, confidence and connections for your organisation, community and planet to thrive now and into the future.
Sustainability challenges are high stake and complex and require a special set of skills, including the ability to think systemically and to collaborate and influence across a diverse range of stakeholders and interests. The Sustainability Leadership Programme (SLP) not only gives you the tools to meet your challenges but provides an ongoing network of peers you can lean on for advice and support.
Australasia’s most comprehensive sustainability leadership programme is designed and delivered by Catapult in partnership with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC). The SBC is a member organisation made up of organisations committed to making significant progress on environmental, social, and economic sustainability issues. SBC members account for over 60% of New Zealand’s GDP. Your organisation does not need to be a member of the SBC for you to participate in the Sustainability Leadership Programme.
Taster Sessions
Watch the 2021 online taster session.
Watch the 2022 online taster session.
Key Benefits
Learn how to diagnose complex sustainability challenges
Build your collaboration skills to engage stakeholders
Learn how to influence key decision-makers
Build fellowship with other senior sustainability change agents
Leave inspired with confidence and courage to drive progress on sustainability
Who is SLP for?
SLP is for organisational leaders in a position to influence their organisation’s progress on environmental, social or economic sustainability.
Past participants have held a range of senior accountabilities including CEOs, heads of environmental and social responsibility, sustainability managers, health and safety managers, corporate responsibility managers, programme managers, directors, business operations managers, marketing and communications managers.
SLP is a leadership programme. It is not about learning technical skills (e.g. measuring carbon emissions) for addressing sustainability.
You will bring a real sustainability challenge facing your organisation or community into the programme.
Programme Dates
Online Workshops: 10:00am – 12:00pm
May 17 and 31; June 14 and 28; August 23; September 6 and 27.
Two-Day Workshop in Wellington
July 26: 8:30am registration; 9:00am – 7:00pm including networking event and refreshments
July 27: 8:30am registration; 9:00am – 5:00pm
'Fast-paced concentrated boost of learning. It’s had a significant positive impact on how I work and what I have been able to achieve.'
Alison Howard
Head of Sustainability, Meridian Energy
'The material, delivered, with excellence by Catapult. Kept me constantly thinking, reflecting, and engaged.'
Leon Jarden
Countdown
'Given me greater self-awareness to my sustainability leadership and tools I can apply straight away and will use well after the programme.'
Sam Bridgman, Sustainability Specialist
NZ Post
‘I now know I don't need to hold all the answers. Collaborating and influencing are key to driving the sustainability agenda forward.’
Miranda Struthers, Accessible Energy Advocate
Electricity Retailers’ Association
'Provides a solid foundation and tools for sustainability leaders to progress themselves and sustainability within their business.’
Anthony Thompson, Sustainability Manager
SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd
'Given me the tools, confidence and clarity to lead our company towards our net zero carbon goals for the built environment.’
Fiona Short, Group Lead of Sustainability
Warren and Mahoney Architects
'A must for any leader serious about improving organisational sustainability.’
Cobus Kilian, Health, Safety and Environment Manager
Livestock Improvement Corporation
‘Lots of resources and tools and skilful guidance on how to use them. An effective way of gaining clarity, motivation and skills to deal with sustainability challenges.’
Kath Danaher, Learning and Teaching Specialist
Otago Polytechnic
Programme Overview
Blended Format: The programme is a combination of 7 x 2 hour Zoom online workshops, a two-day workshop in Wellington, and small group work (LeaderLabs).
Online Sessions: May 17 and 31; June 14 and 28; August 23; September 6 and 27.
Two-Day Workshop in Wellington: July 26 and 27
LeaderLabs: You will be part of a peer learning group called a LeaderLab. There are approximately 13 hours of Leaderlab meetings (online or in person) between workshop sessions.
Time will also be involved applying your learning to a real sustainability challenge facing your organisation. In this way, programme work is real work and complements your day job. Hours required will vary according to the project.
Early bird discount ends 25 February 2022
– Applications close 31 March 2022 –
Getting Started
- Secure organisational support before applying
- Applications close 31 March 2022
- Selection and notification by 8 April
- LeaderScope 360-degree feedback (optional) April-May
- Forming LeaderLabs with the first session before the 17 May online workshop.
- Completing pre-work April-May
Online Workshops: Sensemaking
- What is sustainability leadership?
- Seeing context and challenges
- Leadership backbone, styles and resilience
- Diagnosing sustainability challenges
- Embedding sustainability approaches
- Storytelling
- Celebrating accomplishments
Two Day Workshop:
Influencing
- Connecting
- Collaborating
- Co-creating purpose and vision
- Sustainability strategies
- Systems change
- Strategic influencing
- Networking event
Online Workshops: Embedding
- Embedding sustainability approaches
- Storytelling
- Celebrating accomplishments
0
Percent of graduates endorse the programme
0
Percent of participants formed valuable connections with other sustainability leaders
0
Percent of participants planned a new approach to their sustainability project
0
Percent of participants are more equipped to advance the sustainability agenda of their organisation
0
Percent of participants are more able to diagnose sustainability challenges
Read Case Studies About SLP’s Impact
Hear What Alumni Say
Jamie Henry – WasteLine Manager for OCS Ltd
Sharon Manssen – Quality, Environment & Sustainability Manager, NZ Region for Aurecon
Joshua Dorman, Stuff
Katherine Buttar, Auckland Transport
Take your leadership further
We have some great options to extend your learning and development from the Sustainability Leadership Programme.
Additional Coaching Options
Leaderscope 360-Degree Feedback Option
Programme Cost
Earlybird discount fee for applications received by 25 February 2022:
SBC Members: $3,950 (ex GST)
Non-SBC Members: $4,150 (ex GST)
Applications received after 25 February:
SBC Members: $4,590 (ex GST)
Non-SBC Members: $4,850 (ex GST)
Optional LeaderScope 360°feedback $800 (ex GST)
Optional One-on-One coaching three sessions $1,500 (ex GST)
Programme Dates
Online Workshops: 10:00am – 12:00pm
May 17 and 31; June 14 and 28; August 23; September 6 and 27.
Two-Day Workshop in Wellington
July 26: 8:30am registration; 9:00am – 7:00pm including networking event and refreshments
July 27: 8:30am registration; 9:00am – 5:00pm
Some Participating Organisations
Below are some organisations who have participated in the Sustainability Leadership Programme
