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Public Relations

Sustainability Communication and ESG Storytelling

Stakeholders expect organisations to communicate clearly and honestly about their environmental, social and governance performance. This course shows communication, marketing and sustainability professionals how to create credible sustainability narratives, communicate ESG data to different audiences, avoid greenwashing and comply with emerging regulation on environmental claims. Participants learn to develop sustainability messages, reports, campaigns and stakeholder communications that build trust and support business goals.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF
Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Sustainability claims are now scrutinised by regulators, investors, journalists and activists. Poorly substantiated messages create legal and reputational risks, while silence can mean missed opportunities. This course helps you communicate sustainability progress credibly and persuasively.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course uses case studies, claim-review exercises, storytelling workshops, audience analysis, regulatory discussions and development of a sustainability communication plan.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain stakeholder expectations for sustainability communication
  • Develop credible sustainability narratives and key messages
  • Communicate ESG data clearly to different audiences
  • Identify and avoid greenwashing and misleading claims
  • Understand regulation on environmental claims and sustainability reporting
  • Create an integrated sustainability communication plan
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Corporate communication and PR professionals
  • Sustainability and ESG managers
  • Marketing and brand professionals
  • Investor relations professionals
  • Report writers and content creators
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Sustainability storytelling
  • ESG communication
  • Greenwashing prevention
  • Stakeholder messaging
  • Sustainability reporting communication
  • Campaign planning
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Sustainability Communication Today

  1. 09:00–09:54Why sustainability communication matters
  2. 09:54–10:48Stakeholder expectations and scrutiny
  3. 10:48–11:00Trust, credibility and transparency
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Trust, credibility and transparency (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Trends in ESG disclosure
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: Reviewing sustainability communications

Day 2Building the Sustainability Narrative

  1. 09:00–09:54Purpose, strategy and material issues
  2. 09:54–10:48Storytelling techniques for sustainability
  3. 10:48–11:00Balancing ambition and evidence
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Balancing ambition and evidence (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Communicating progress and setbacks
  7. 13:06–14:00Workshop: Creating a sustainability narrative

Day 3Communicating ESG Data

  1. 09:00–09:54Turning data into clear messages
  2. 09:54–10:48Visualising sustainability performance
  3. 10:48–11:00Tailoring content for investors, customers and employees
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Tailoring content for investors, customers and employees (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Sustainability reports and websites
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: Simplifying an ESG data set

Day 4Avoiding Greenwashing

  1. 09:00–09:54Common forms of greenwashing
  2. 09:54–10:48Regulation on environmental and green claims
  3. 10:48–11:00Substantiation and evidence
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Substantiation and evidence (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Labels, certifications and comparisons
  7. 13:06–14:00Case study: Reviewing a challenged green claim

Day 5Integrated Sustainability Communication

  1. 09:00–09:54Campaigns and channel planning
  2. 09:54–10:48Engaging employees as advocates
  3. 10:48–11:00Responding to criticism and activism
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Responding to criticism and activism (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Measuring impact
  7. 13:06–14:00Capstone: Sustainability communication plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Singapore 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 4 Jan - 8 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 4 Jan - 8 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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