A Partnership Built to Strengthen the Sustainability Workforce.
ISTEP is a global collaboration helping sustainability professionals, universities, and emerging talent build capability, confidence, and connection through practical tools, shared learning, and real-world application.
ISTEP focuses on building a stronger sustainability ecosystem — one where knowledge flows more easily, professionals are supported, and emerging talent has clear pathways into the field.
Where ISTEP Began.
Expectations for sustainability are rising quickly but the people delivering results often lack support, time, tools, and peer connection. ISTEP was built to close that gap.
The Industry Sustainability Transition & Engagement Partnership was founded through a partnership between the University of Bath School of Management and Fosterra, who recognized a widening gap between sustainability expectations and the support available to the people responsible for delivering them.
U-Bath’s academic insight, combined with Fosterra’s two decades of hands-on industry experience, created the foundation for a program that blends:
Sustainability-focused resources
Rigorous academic thinking
Real-world expertise
Workforce development for students and early-career professionals
Open access to knowledge, tools, and collaboration
ISTEP was intentionally built as a free, scalable model — so that organizations of all sizes, especially small and medium enterprises, can participate without barriers.
What makes ISTEP unique.
While many sustainability communities share information, ISTEP is designed as a structured, ongoing support system. Members don’t just attend events, they join a year-round learning environment that helps sustain momentum and excellence.
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Industry, academia, and students in one network.
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on practical implementation, not just discussion.
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consistent touchpoints (webinars, meet-ups, office hours, events)
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templates, tools, case studies, and actionable guidance openly
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that no one is left behind, with accessible programming for SMEs
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the future talent pipeline through real exposure and connection
How to Get Involved
Sustainability Professionals
Connect with peers and strengthen implementation without adding more noise to your calendar.
Join the Network to access templates, tools, and member resources
Attend webinars and meet-ups focused on real-world sustainability delivery
Join Office Hours to problem-solve challenges with others doing the work
Share what’s working (case studies, examples, lessons learned)
Universities
Bring sustainability education closer to practice and give students better pathways into the field.
Connect students to industry challenges and practitioner insight
Share research and teaching resources that support applied sustainability work
Host an ISTEP session (guest lecture, workshop, or student event)
Collaborate on pilot projects that strengthen workforce readiness
Students & Recent Graduates
Build experience, confidence, and connections that help you break into sustainability roles.
Join as a member to access resources and community activities
Attend events to learn what the work looks like in real companies
Connect with professionals through networking sessions and office hours
Explore pathways into early-career roles, placements, and project opportunities
Expert Partners
Support the community with specialized expertise and help organizations move faster.
Offer a session or workshop to share practical guidance
Contribute tools or templates that help practitioners implement faster
Mentor or advise through office hours and community support
Partner with ISTEP to expand access and strengthen the ecosystem
Fosterra is a global consulting firm committed to advancing sustainable practices using our award-winning programs and world-class technology platforms. Across hundreds of projects, we’ve learned that the greatest lever for impact is not a framework - it is the people putting sustainability into action every day.
Fosterra is sponsoring ISTEP to support those professionals with practical tools, shared knowledge, and a peer community so they can move faster, feel less isolated, and create lasting results.
