Engage with ISTEP
Build capability. Strengthen careers. Accelerate sustainability progress.
ISTEP is a global network designed to strengthen the sustainability workforce through practical tools, shared learning, and real-world connection. Whether you’re preparing the next generation of talent, equipping internal teams, or sharing expertise with professionals doing the work—there’s a meaningful way to engage.
Why Engage with ISTEP?
Sustainability expectations are rising across every industry—but implementation often depends on small, stretched teams who need more support. ISTEP exists to bridge that gap by creating a structured, scalable way for people to learn from each other, access practical resources, and make progress faster.
When you engage with ISTEP, you’re helping build a stronger sustainability ecosystem:
More capable teams delivering real outcomes
Clearer pathways into sustainability careers
Shared tools and templates that reduce reinvention
Peer support and connection that helps professionals stay resilient and effective
Engagement for Universities
Connect education to real-world sustainability topics
Universities play a pivotal role in shaping sustainability talent yet students often graduate without visibility into how sustainability work happens inside organizations. ISTEP helps bridge that gap by connecting academic communities with real-world implementation, industry insight, and practical resources.
University On-Ramps
Partner with ISTEP as a Capability Bridge
Bring real-world tools, practitioner perspectives, and implementation-focused learning into your sustainability programs.
Provide Career Pathways for Students
Help students understand sustainability roles, build confidence, and connect with professionals who can offer guidance, mentorship, and real-world context.
Engage Students Through Practical Experiences
Support project-based learning and exposure to real challenges—so students build career-relevant skills alongside academic knowledge.
What Universities Can Do with ISTEP
Host an ISTEP session (guest lecture, workshop, or webinar)
Co-create a student engagement series (career pathways, implementation basics, case studies)
Connect faculty research to practice, helping convert insight into actionable tools
Offer student participation in network events and learning opportunities
What Students Gain
Exposure to real implementation work (not just theory)
Practical knowledge, templates, and frameworks
Networking and peer connection
Career clarity and increased confidence
Engagement for Companies
Create a custom track to strengthen your sustainability team
Many companies are asking their teams to deliver sustainability progress faster, often with limited resources, fragmented knowledge, and increasing pressure. ISTEP helps organizations strengthen their front-line sustainability capability through a structured learning path that is practical, collaborative, and grounded in real-world delivery. For companies, engagement can be lightweight or tailored into a custom track that supports your internal priorities.
Company On-Ramps
Join the Network and Plug Into Shared Learning
Ideal for organizations that want their sustainability staff to build capability through peer connection, tools, and consistent learning moments.
Sponsor Participation for Your Team
Support your sustainability team with access to ISTEP learning sessions, tools, and resources—without needing to build everything internally.
Build a Custom Company Track (Internal Team Capability Program)
For organizations that want a more structured approach, ISTEP can support a custom track aligned to your goals—helping your team move from strategy to execution with less friction.
What a Custom Track Can Include
A set of implementation-focused sessions (live or hybrid)
A structured toolkit for internal use (templates, guides, workflows)
“Office Hours” style problem-solving support
Peer exchange and cross-industry learning
Optional manager enablement (help leaders support sustainability delivery)
Example Focus Areas (Custom Track Themes)
Sustainability fundamentals for cross-functional teams
Supplier engagement and Scope 3 capability
Data collection and reporting readiness
Internal alignment and change management
Turning goals into executable workplans
Operational sustainability implementation (site-level action)
Engagement for Experts
Share resources. Lead sessions. Strengthen the ecosystem.
ISTEP is built on shared learning. Expert partners—consultants, technology providers, researchers, NGOs, and practitioners—help expand the resources and insight available to sustainability professionals and emerging talent.
If you have expertise that can reduce friction, strengthen capability, or accelerate implementation, ISTEP offers a platform to contribute meaningfully.
Expert Partner On-Ramps
Lead a Webinar or Learning Session
Share practical guidance, case examples, and implementation insights—designed for real-world delivery.
Contribute Practical Tools and Templates
Help professionals move faster by sharing checklists, frameworks, guidance docs, sample workflows, or enabling tools.
Join Office Hours / Peer Support Sessions
Offer structured, short-form support that helps teams solve real implementation challenges.
Support Topic Tracks or Community Series
Collaborate on themes like reporting readiness, supplier engagement, operationalization, data, or change management.
What Makes a Great ISTEP Contribution
Practical, implementation-ready guidance
Clear examples or templates people can use immediately
A focus on enabling others (not selling)
Inclusive, accessible language and shared learning mindset
Engagement for NGOs or Mission-Aligned Funders
Help expand access and strengthen the sustainability workforce
ISTEP is designed as a scalable model to strengthen sustainability capability through practical tools, shared learning, and peer support. Fosterra currently sponsors the time and effort required to build and operate the network, and we welcome additional NGOs, foundations, and mission-aligned sponsors who want to expand access and accelerate impact.
There are several meaningful ways to get involved:
Sponsor participation and access for under-resourced organizations, universities, or emerging talent
Support a topic track or learning series aligned to your mission (e.g., implementation support, workforce readiness, supplier engagement)
Enable student and early-career pathways through events, mentorship, and real-world exposure
Collaborate on initiatives that strengthen sustainability capability at scale