Sustainability
The IAC is committed to global sustainability and equipping our members to coach in areas related to ESG – Environmental, Social, and Governance to address the needs represented within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainability can be defined as goals, actions, and practices that support the long-term viability of the earth to sustain life, allowing all living beings to thrive. It includes both the ecological needs to sustain physical existence, and the supportive economic and social measures that create equity and inclusion, providing opportunities for all people to flourish.
Coaching is the universal language for learning, for transformation, and for change, which is at the heart of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are emerging needs in the world and coaching can have a tremendous impact today and into the future.
The IAC is dedicated to creating a space for learning and innovation to advance the profession of coaching and its beneficial impact.
Sustainability and the IAC
Many members of the IAC around the world engage in sustainability efforts through their coaching practice, and the IAC Sustainability Team supports our members who work in this space through providing opportunities to develop deeper understanding and increase capabilities.
The IAC Values and Code of Ethics are a strong foundation for coaches who work in the Sustainability landscape, and The Coaching Masteries can serve as a guide in the coaching engagement.
1. Establishing and maintaining a relationship of trust;
2. Perceiving, affirming and expanding the client’s potential;
3. Engaged listening;
4. Processing in the present;
5. Expressing;
6. Clarifying;
7. Helping the client set and keep clear intentions;
8. Inviting possibility;
9. Helping the client create and use supportive systems and structures;
IAC Sustainability Team Formation
The IAC Sustainability Team was formed to provide members with resources and information to build skills to support coaching in areas of sustainability. The team also looks internally at our IAC operations to ensure that our processes and procedures are as sustainable as possible.
During the formation of the IAC Sustainability Team, a conscious decision was made to focus on supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). These 17 goals were adopted in 2015 by the United Nations Member States to serve the global needs of the earth and all life on the earth through focusing on the 5-P’s of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines specific items to strive to accomplish by the year 2030 for each of the 17 goals.
The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. These ambitious goals are designed to address the world’s biggest challenges faced by humanity. The intent is to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all living beings on the planet, as exemplified in the motto “Leaving No One Behind”.
The IAC supports our members who work in the sustainability landscape and strives to provide tools and resources to support this important effort.
Our Climate Coaching Commitment
While the IAC Sustainability Team was started in 2023, the IAC was involved previously for many years in working to address global needs. Our IAC journey into formalized sustainability work began in 2020 when we joined as a member of the JGSG – Joint Global Statement Group on Climate Change, and continued the commitment as the JGSG evolved in 2025 to become the SCC-Sustainability Coaching Coalition. This is a unique collaboration of the leading coaching, coaching psychology, mentoring, and supervision professional bodies that have committed to collaborative action and serving as a collective voice on addressing the sustainability needs of the world through coaching.
Given our role as coaches in developing individuals and in creating social value, we are committed to working together to play our part in addressing the increasing needs of sustainability around the globe. We recognize that no one body will have sufficient impact, but together we have a collective voice that can reach around the world.
We support the SCC through meeting quarterly with the other signatories to plan future efforts to help address the sustainability needs of the world. We also collaborate to provide webinar panel-discussions to inform our collective members and provide tools and resources that can be shared amongst members from all eleven groups.
Raising awareness and knowledge with our members and providing a safe and challenging space for them to reflect on and reconsider their role and their practice are central. The SCC regularly reviews and revises the shared commitments in light of the shifting landscape, and we will continue to pool resources and model collective leadership.
Getting Involved
To become involved in Sustainability Coaching, our members are invited to participate in upcoming webinars and discover the tools being provided. If you are a member, and wish to contribute to the Sustainability Team, reach out to volunteer@certifiedcoach.org
Learn More:
Learning and Resource Links
The power to coach on Sustainability topics comes from growing in knowledge of the global needs of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the work that is being done around the world to address the needs. Explore these video-replays and links to grow in understanding.
Video Replays of Webinars:
Sustainable Africa : Coaching to Build a Mastery of Change on November 29,2023.
What happens in Africa affects the rest of the world, and each person around the globe can help in ensuring a sustainable Africa.
In the session, participants discovered how, as a coach or mentor, you can play a unique role in raising awareness and providing support, so Africa can thrive.
The event was presented by the International Association of Coaching® (IAC) in partnership with COMENSA (Coaches & Mentors of South Africa) as part of the series of roundtables offered by members of the JGSG (now SCC) to increase awareness on how coaches, mentors, and coaching psychologists can engage in addressing sustainability needs.
View the August 16 IAC Learning Circle webinar where the IAC Sustainability Team shared the IAC’s commitment to global sustainability and equipping our members who coach in the space:
- These topics were covered during the session:
- What is sustainability and how can coaching support sustainability work.
- The significance of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- The IAC’s work with the JGSG (Joint Global Statement Group) and Climate Coaching Alliance.
- How The Coaching Masteries can be used as a framework for supporting sustainability coaching.
Resourcing Coaches Globally To Engage In Climate Coaching: Creating the IAC Sustainability Team
IAC Sustainability Committee Panel Discussion at the Climate Coaching Alliance 2023 Conference held on 29 March, 2023:
Hear from the core members of the IAC Sustainability Team as they discuss the importance of carefully guiding beginners on the needed steps in the journey towards sustainability/climate action initiatives. Learn about practices and tools that can help coaches move past traditional coaching to eco-active coaching. And discover the IAC’s role and intent as a coach certification body in the sustainability landscape.
The Role of Coaches in Climate Action
A JGSG (Joint Global Statement Group on Climate Change) Roundtable Discussion held on 11 November, 2022:
This JGSG session was co-hosted by the IAC and APECS (the Association for Professional Executive Coaching & Supervision), and featured presentations by Professor Peter Hawkins and Eve Turner from APECS, and Gonzalo de le Canal from the IAC as they shared about the role of coaches, supervisors, mentors and coaching psychologists in addressing climate change.
Learning Resources & Tools
These learning resources offer valuable information for growing your sustainability acumen and provide tools to use within your coaching engagements.
SCC-Sustainability Coaching Coalition: This coalition, composed of the leading global coaching, mentoring, coaching psychology and supervision entities (including the IAC), provides the participating associations with guidance and resources to support sustainability coaching efforts.
Climate Coaching Alliance (CCA): This global group provides a forum for coaches to gather, learn and grow together in understanding on how to effectively coach to support climate change efforts.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): This is the home page of the UN SDG’s where you can click on each goal to learn about it. It is also beneficial to read the entire list of 2030 agenda goals for each of the SDG’s.
UN SDG Learn: This United Nations learning platform provides free learning resources to become knowledgeable on the SDG 2030 Agenda and each of the individual 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change: This United Nations site hosts information related to the annual COP (Conference of the Parties) conference, where member states gather to determine strategy and discuss Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to combat the effects of climate change.
Ecological and Climate Conscious Coaching: This book, written by members of the CCA and offered through their site, offers perspectives of coaches around the globe, with tools and information to support coaches when discussing climate topics. If there is one resource that you can attain to help in your climate coaching, this is the recommendation since it is a comprehensive view of best practices from around the world.
The Eco-Phase Cycle (from the CCA Website): We promote the use of the Eco-Phase Cycle as highlighted on the Climate Coaching Alliance website and in the book listed above, Ecological and Climate Conscious Coaching. The model, created by Professor Peter Hawkins, displays the circular framework of eco-curious, eco-informed, eco-aware, eco-engaged, and eco-active when examining one’s response to climate-change. Coaches can use the model to explore their own role within the social and environmental economic responsibility space, and can also use it with clients as an invitation for them to explore their role.
Neil’s Wheel: Neil Scotton, a coach based in the UK, developed this tool to help coaches and their clients to analyze what they care about and how their actions can support the areas of care. It is widely utilized by climate coaches to invite clients to consider their role in the climate crisis and formulate action plans to address it.
Balanced Mindful Caring Model: Developed by Brian Lowell French, this tool invites clients to consider where they place their focused energy in caring for the others, the group, the work, and the self to help ensure that appropriate energy is being placed in all quadrants. And the client is then invited to explore how their focused energy is used in service to the broader systems of the sustainability needs of the earth and all people. Also freely available at the link is the full text of the Harmonic Leadership book that has many exercises, assessments, and self-reflection activities that can be used with clients.
World Economic Forum: The WEF is a not-for-profit, international organization in Geneva, Switzerland that brings public and private entities together to shape global agendas. They have a number of Centres that are focused on areas that touch on many different sustainability initiatives.
WBCSD: The World Business Council for Sustainable Development provides guidance and a collaborative forum for businesses who are dedicated to sustainable development.
A Good Life For All Within Planetary Boundaries: This site hosted by the University of Leeds in the UK and features research on global sustainability matters, including a country-by-country “doughnut” view on where individual countries are at in terms of meeting sustainability needs.
Earth Overshoot Day: Researchers at the Global Footprint Network analyze the point at which the global population consumes all of the natural, ecological resources that the earth provides on an annual basis to determine the date at which over-consumption begins.
Inner Development Goals: Developed through comprehensive global research, hands-on experience, and ongoing education, the IDGs represent a framework comprising five dimensions and 23 essential skills and traits crucial for leading a fulfilling life and supporting efforts aimed at achieving the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
United Nations Glossary Sites
United Nations – SDG Pulse Glossary
https://sdgpulse.unctad.org/category/glossary/
This is a glossary of terms related to the Sustainable Development Goals that lists definitions, and also lists the many acronyms used within the SDG reports.
United Nations – TERM Portal
https://unterm.un.org/unterm2/en/
This is a multi-language dictionary where you can search for any term related to the United Nations and it will provide a definition and translations in other languages. To select your preferred language, click the Language drop-down in the upper-right corner of the page.
UN Development Programme – The Climate Dictionary
https://www.undp.org/publications/climate-dictionary
This is a downloadable resource (available in English and Spanish) that provides
United Nations – iLibrary Glossary
https://www.un-ilibrary.org/content/books/9789210023993c002
This is a short glossary of terms from the UN Emissions Gap Report from 2022 that has key terms related to climate change.
Other Non-Profit Glossary Sites
Appropedia: The Sustainability Wiki – Glossary of Sustainability Terms
https://www.appropedia.org/Glossary_of_sustainability_terms
New Zealand Sustainable Business Network – Glossary of Sustainability
https://sustainable.org.nz/learn/tools-resources/glossary-of-sustainability/
European Environment Agency – Glossary of Terms
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/ghg-knowledge-hub/lulucf/about-lulucf/glossary
The Ellen Macarthur Foundation – Circular Economy Glossary
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/glossary
IHF International Hospital Federation – Sustainability Glossary
https://ihf-fih.org/what-we-do/geneva-sustainability-centre/sustainability-glossary/
Increase Your Sustainability Knowledge
Listed below are links to additional articles, technical papers, research and published standards that provide a deeper exposure into Sustainability matters.
SDG Academy
Providing the portfolio of United Nations based learning related to the Sustainable Development Goals, you will find a wide range of free online courses covering various aspects of sustainable development and the SDGs. These courses are developed in collaboration with leading universities, organizations, and experts in the field.
McKinsey Sustainability
https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights
News and insights in all areas of sustainability.
Science Direct – Current Research on Sustainability
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-research-in-environmental-sustainability
Research and articles on a broad range of sustainability topics. Note that some articles require a subscription or pay-per-article for viewing, but many articles are free to read.
Introduction to ISSB and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
The site provides an overview of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) framework used by businesses and organizations for financial accounting on sustainability matters.
Sustainability Overview on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability
The Sustainability page on Wikipedia that provides a good overview of what sustainability is, and the work being done to address sustainability needs. It includes many links to other sites and has a long reference list to additional research.
Three Pillars of Sustainability: In Search of Conceptual Origins
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5
This 2019 article provides detailed information on the three pillar concept of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
The World Bank
https://www.worldbank.org/en/home
Operating in 189 countries, the World Bank partners with governments and the private sector to provide investments for a sustainable future. The site provides research and articles on sustainable investment to support their mission “to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.”
UNSSC Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development
https://www.unssc.org/courses
The United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development provides a range of e-learning courses on sustainable development and the SDGs, targeting UN staff, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
United Nations Global Compact Academy
https://unglobalcompact.org/library
The site offers online courses focusing on corporate sustainability, responsible business practices, and the role of businesses in advancing the SDGs. The courses are suitable for professionals working in the private sector who are interested in integrating sustainability into their organizations.
View the Sustainability Coaching Coalition (SCC) website for future events on topics of sustainability coaching.