How to Incorporate Sustainable Teaching into your Lessons

How to Incorporate Sustainable Teaching into Your Lessons Students

Taking care of the environment is an important and complex topic, but by introducing eco-friendly education to your course, both you and your students can benefit.

More colleges and universities are embracing this approach by incorporating sustainability in their curriculum and taking initiatives towards environmentally friendly practices in their institutions. But how can you put your knowledge of sustainability to use or further your understanding along with your students? This article aims to show how imparting knowledge about sustainable practices in colleges can benefit the future of the planet and your students.

Curriculum

There are many ways to include sustainable education into your college, from projects and case studies to new methods specific to your chosen subject.

Prioritise setting projects which can include sustainability. For Engineering this could mean a focus on green technologies, energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and environmental design. For Health & Social Care you could include lessons on public health, environmental factors, and sustainable living practices.

Encourage partnerships with local businesses, not-for-profit organisations or community groups focused on sustainability which could provide students experience on real-world sustainability projects that have tangible outcomes.

Culture

When students learn eco-friendly practices, they gain enough knowledge to adjust their lifestyles to benefit the environment. Eventually, they can influence their families, friends, and circles to make sustainable choices too. As an educator, it’s important to appreciate that by teaching climate-change combatting techniques, you’ll help students develop excellent habits in aid of the environment. Some ideas include:

• Introduce student-led networks to foster research, generate ideas and practice eco-friendly activities.
• Implement reuseable water bottles and refilling stations, with no single-use plastics.
• Encourage reusing and recycling across your college.
• Create a green staff initiative where you could carshare or cycle to work.

Career Opportunities

According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Jobs On the Rise UK report, green talent hiring rates are 72% above the average. Despite this, supply is outweighed heavily by demand for these skills. In real world terms, this means the opportunity for professionals with green skills will be massive.

So, what can you do? Make sure that you educate your students about the wide range of careers available post college. Consider upskilling or researching green jobs in your industry to discuss in lessons, alongside careers guidance, so your students understand the benefits of engaging within sustainable learning.

Beyond Education  

In recent years new funding bodies, initiatives, and schemes have been created in the UK to support sustainability careers and initiatives. These funding bodies aim to promote sustainable industries, green innovation, and the transition to a net-zero economy. For example, the Green Jobs Fund is a Government backed funding body that supports training programs, apprenticeships, grants for businesses to support the recruitment and development of a skilled green workforce. Ensuring that students are aware of funding and training specifically geared towards sustainable roles is a great way to encourage them to connect with sustainability, and the potential career it could provide for them.

Sustainability is now a crucial issue; it is essential to consider the benefits of teaching sustainability to college and university students. Teaching sustainable practices can provide a robust foundation for students by enabling them to develop the tools and knowledge required to make sound environmental choices and maximise their potential career paths. By introducing any of these sustainable practices you could inspire students and create a better workforce who are making positive steps towards shaping a sustainable future in their field of work.