Foundation Certificate in Sustainability and Environmental Management

Start your sustainability career with a recognised sustainability course

Whether you are new to sustainability, changing careers or looking to build practical green skills, the ISEP Foundation Certificate in Sustainability and Environmental Management is a recognised sustainability course designed to give you the knowledge, confidence and professional recognition to take your next step.

Developed by Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals, the professional body for environment and sustainability, this course provides a practical introduction to sustainability principles, environmental management and sustainable business practice.

It also provides a direct route to Associate Membership (AISEP), helping you begin your professional sustainability journey with recognised credentials.

Trusted by learners and professionals across multiple sectors to build practical sustainability knowledge and professional recognition.

Course Specification

Contents

1.        Why choose this sustainability course?

2.       Who is this course for? 

3.       What will you learn? 

4.       Professional recognition and Associate membership 

5.       Course format and assessment 

6.       Book your course

Why choose this sustainability course?

The demand for sustainability knowledge and green skills is growing rapidly across every sector. Organisations are increasingly looking for people who understand sustainability challenges, environmental responsibilities and how businesses can operate more sustainably. 

Unlike generic online sustainability courses, the ISEP Foundation Certificate is aligned to professional membership standards and designed by the professional body for sustainability professionals.

The course combines practical sustainability knowledge with professional recognition, helping learners develop skills that can be applied across a wide range of industries and roles.

Who is this course for?

This sustainability course is ideal for people who are starting out in environment or sustainability-focused careers, as well as professionals looking to build sustainability knowledge alongside their existing role.

You may be:

• starting your sustainability career
• changing careers into sustainability or environment
• looking to formalise existing knowledge
• working in another profession such as marketing, finance, procurement, operations or HR and wanting to better understand sustainability in practice

No previous environmental or sustainability knowledge is required.

What will you learn?

This sustainability course provides a broad introduction to sustainability and environmental management, helping learners understand the environmental, social and economic challenges facing organisations today.

You will explore key sustainability and governance principles, environmental management approaches, legislation and policy, and the practical tools organisations use to improve sustainability performance. The course also develops core professional skills such as communication, stakeholder engagement, problem solving, data analysis and supporting organisational change.

By the end of the course, learners will have a strong foundation of knowledge to support further professional development and progression into sustainability-focused roles.

Professional recognition and Associate membership

The Foundation Certificate aligns with the competencies required for Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals Associate membership, making it an ideal first step towards professional recognition in sustainability.

On successful completion of the course and exam, learners will be enrolled for one year of Associate membership and begin using the AISEP professional suffix. Membership connects you to a global professional community and provides access to professional development resources, industry insights, events and networking opportunities to support your career progression.

If you already hold a degree in an environment or sustainability-related subject, you may wish to explore Graduate membership instead.

Course format

The Foundation Certificate is a 5-day (40-hour) course that can be completed online, in a classroom or through flexible learning depending on your chosen Training Partner.

All courses are delivered by approved ISEP Training Partners that have been assessed to ensure quality and consistency. You can compare Training Partners below to find a course format, location and schedule that works for you.

Assessment

At the end of the five days, you will take a one hour, open-book, online multiple-choice exam.

On passing your exam, you will receive a certificate to recognise your achievement and you will be sent details of how to join ISEP as an Associate Member, earning your AISEP professional suffix and all other benefits that come as being a member of a professional body.

Book your course

E-learning courses

Click a link below to book a course, or find out more about each training parter using the list at the bottom of the page. E-learning courses can be started at any time and completed at your own pace.

Tutor led courses

Looking for some tutor lead learning? View the table of upcoming courses below, arranged in date order.

Browse the approved Training Partners below to find upcoming course dates, locations and booking information. Select your preferred provider to learn more and book directly through their website.