sustainability strategy implementation
You have a sustainability strategy but the organisation isn’t moving together
“You’ve done the work. The strategy is clear. The targets are defined. But internally, progress is slow, inconsistent, and dependent on how hard you push.”
Tangible business outcomes underpinned by robust change management and strategic direction – for Sustainability, ESG and Net Zero strategies
> or see how it works
sustainability strategy implementation
You have a sustainability strategy but the organisation isn’t moving together
“You’ve done the work. The strategy is clear. The targets are defined. But internally, progress is slow, inconsistent, and dependent on how hard you push.”
Tangible business outcomes underpinned by robust change management and strategic direction – for Sustainability, ESG and Net Zero strategies
> or see how it works
The reality
The challenge isn’t
the strategy.
It’s getting people
to act on it.
If you’re leading sustainability, this may feel familiar:
- You are doing most of the work yourself
- Teams say they support sustainability—but don’t take action
- Leadership agrees, but priorities don’t shift
- You struggle to connect sustainability to commercial decisions
- Progress relies on constant pushing and translating
Sustainability stays as a bolt on initiative. It becomes a reporting exercise and a responsibility carried by one person.
You’re not lacking sustainability expertise.
You’re facing organisational resistance and this needs change management.
THE MISSION
To turn sustainability strategy into company-wide action that strengthens culture, builds reputation, and drives commercial results
If your challenge is building skills and capacity for sustainability across teams, explore my team leadership development service.
Why is this happening
COMPETING PRIORITIES
Sustainability has to fight for space alongside every other business pressure, which means:
- operational urgencies push it down the list
- commercial goals pull focus in a different direction
- progress depends on who has bandwidth that week
MISALIGNED MEANING
When people across the business aren’t working from the same picture:
- stakeholders interpret sustainability differently
- decisions get made without the full context
- momentum breaks down between functions
LEADERSHIP WITHOUT ALIGNMENT
When leadership isn’t genuinely behind it, sustainability stays:
- disconnected from commercial opportunity
- misunderstood by the people with the most influence
- an afterthought, rather than designed in from the start
Who this is
for
Professionals responsible for delivering sustainability strategy across organisations who want a guided approach to integration
Leaders working in UK and international organisations with ESG or Net Zero commitments
Individuals facing resistance, slow adoption, or lack of engagement across teams
About me
I’m Briony Pete — leadership coach, strategist, and engagement specialist with 15+ years in sustainable development, focused on people, culture, and behaviour change. I founded The Circular Life on one resounding belief: strategies don’t create change. People do.
My coaching style combines:
- Executive coaching – a dual focus on the person and their strategy or responsibilities
- Culture and systems change – a toolbox of processes and techniques that shift how people work together
- Adult development and behaviour change – building the conditions for lasting growth
I blend sustainability integration with systems change and leadership development so you don’t just know what to build – you know how to lead it.
Accredited Coach
5+ years coaching
Adult Development
The Guide
5+ years coaching
I’m Briony Pete — leadership coach, strategist, and engagement specialist with 15+ years in sustainable development, focused on people, culture, and behaviour change. I founded The Circular Life on one resounding belief: strategies don’t create change. People do.
My coaching style combines:
- Executive coaching – a dual focus on the person and their strategy or responsibilities
- Culture and systems change – a toolbox of processes and techniques that shift how people work together
- Adult development and behaviour change – building the conditions for lasting growth
I blend sustainability integration with systems change and leadership development so you don’t just know what to build – you know how to lead it.
How it works
Strategic direction, facilitation and sustainability change management
This work combines strategic direction, facilitation and sustainability change management.
It is designed to move your company from:
agreement → action
support → ownership
strategy → execution
Guided implementation
with regular strategic direction and leadership alignment sessions
Culture change
and engagement tools and techniques
cross-functional workshops & facilitation
helping teams solve challenges and codesign solutions
sustainability
prioritisation
goal setting, accountability and decision making frameworks
12-month guided support programme
This typically runs over a 12-month guided support programme, incorporating relevant elements of leadership coaching and team development.
“Giving you back the time, space and support structure so you can strategically lead the work.”
The pillar of impact
Strategic Clarity
Clear priorities, purposeful decisions, and meaningful action.
abstract ambition
operational reality
Momentum
Leadership Alignment
Shared priorities, unified decisions, and collective ownership.
misaligned intentions
direction
Cohesion
Relationship management
Involvement, co-design, and shared meaning.
passive support
active ownership
Commitment
The shift your company will expErience
Before
— You carry the sustainability agenda alone
— Teams are supportive but not active
— Leadership alignment is inconsistent
— Sustainability is not connected to commercial decisions
AFTER
— Sustainability embeds into how the company operates
— Leadership actively supports and prioritises sustainability
— Teams understand their role and take ownership
— Sustainability embeds into decision-making
— You are equipped with a culture change toolbox, and the expertise to use it
Business impact
— Faster implementation of ESG initiatives
— Reduced internal resistance and friction
— Stronger cross-functional collaboration
— Increased likelihood of achieving Net Zero and sustainability targets
What the client says
Gabriella Weeks
Sleek Events
Supplier & Sustainability Lead
“Coaching sessions provide clear guidance that helps me navigate challenges, stay focused, and bring others with me. Having a strategic partner to test ideas with has been crucial for building confidence and securing buy-in.“
The strategic work created immediate momentum – finding gaps, aligning departments, and strengthening engagement.
We’re already seeing tangible shifts, from the Growth Team integrating sustainability, better cross-department collaboration, and a rise in confidence and motivation from our Champion Team. The programme has given me the clarity, structure and support to meaningfully move the dial across the business.”
“A worthwhile investment, and I thoroughly recommend Briony to all of my network.”
James Colley
NHS South East London
Sustainability Lead
“We engaged The Circular Life (Briony) to support the refresh of our Net Zero Green Plan, following a strong recommendation. Briony brought a perspective that complemented and challenged our internal strengths, helped us step back and reconnect with our wider purpose, and reframed our objectives – identifying the key catalysts for meaningful change.“
With a deep understanding of the complexities of delivering net zero, Briony quickly grasped our context, our barriers, and the factors influencing our success. She then applied an impressive, practical toolkit to move us forward — from developing clear frameworks that sharpen programme delivery to examining the behaviours that drive wider organisational action.”
“Briony knows exactly what we need, provides thoughtful challenge, and supports sensitively. She has been both a strategic partner and a hands-on contributor when it matters most.””
Kelly Hobson
Sustainable Logistics LIVE (SLL)
MD, Shape Tomorrow
Founder,
“Briony has been a keynote speaker at both our Leeds and London Sustainable Logistics LIVE events in 2025, and she has been an absolute pleasure to work with.”
“What stands out about Briony is her ability to tailor her content perfectly to the objectives of the day and the needs of the audience. She’s engaging, personable, and highly knowledgeable, not just in sustainability theory, but in how to apply it in practice.
She truly understands the challenges organisations and individuals face when it comes to turning ambition into action, and her sessions always strike the right balance between inspiration and actionable insight.”
“I’d highly recommend Briony as a keynote for any event that aims to move sustainability beyond discussion and drive real, meaningful change.”
Rebecca waters
NHS North East London
Net Zero Lead
“With her help, we have meaningfully engaged a large and varied group of stakeholders at pace and produced a thoughtful and well-developed Green Plan. And the coaching programmes have benefited multiple partners across a large, integrated health & care system.”
Working with Briony and The Circular Life is an engaging, collaborative, and supportive experience.
She has provided real value and support for our netzero work in NE London and offers excellent value for money, enabling us to motivate and inspire staff from the outset.”
“Briony works with kindness and compassion while challenging and helping us to think differently about how we work today and in the future.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sustainability strategy implementation?
It is the process of turning ESG and sustainability strategy into real organisational action through leadership alignment, stakeholder engagement, and operational integration.
What is sustainability change management?
Sustainability change management focuses on overcoming resistance, aligning processes, and embedding sustainability into how organisations make decisions and operate. We have a toolbox of techniques for you to access and implement.
How is this different from sustainability consulting?
Consulting focuses on an external resource, designing and implementing a strategy.
Our work focuses on ensuring your strategy is adopted, aligned, and implemented – and building this knowledge into how your company operates in the future.
Is this relevant for SMEs?
Yes.
In smaller organisations, this often focuses on leadership alignment and building capability beyond one sustainability lead.
In larger organisations with bigger sustainability teams, the focus tends to be more on building the team’s capabilities.
Why is “Mindset” critical for reaching Net Zero goals?
Organisations often create sustainability roles without understanding the psychological and cultural depth required for a true Net Zero transition. A shift in mindset allows leaders to move from “siloed efforts” to company-wide impact. By leaning on neuroscience and systems change , leaders can influence without resistance and build a culture where sustainability is embraced by everyone.