Leading Sustainability - New Toolkit for School Leaders
In light of ongoing transformations in the world, how can schools become future-proof? How can they enable young people to develop agency to shape a more sustainable society? And what can school leaders do to embark on this journey and take their school community along?
A new publication, produced by Ann-Kathrin Schlieszus, Jorrit Holst, Claire Grauer and Daniel Fischer in collaboration with the Greenpeace Germany Education team, offers guidance and support to school leaders.
From the Greenpeace website
In an increasingly complex world, schools must be places where young people not only acquire knowledge but also develop the skills and mindsets needed to actively shape a sustainable society. School leaders play a pivotal role in this: they set the course and create the space for engagement among their staff, students, and the entire school community.
The handbook „Leading Sustainability – Future-Oriented School Development with the Whole School Approach“ supports school leadership teams in this process:
- Making schools fit for the future: Why does a Whole School Approach based on the guiding principle of sustainability make sense for your school? What is the concept behind it?
- Recommendations for implementation: Methods, concrete tools, and practical examples: How can you start taking action at your school?
- Resources for further development: Worksheets, templates, and further reading recommendations.
A toolkit featuring practical methods and instruments
The focus is on practical relevance and implementation: from reflecting on one’s own role as school principal to designing the different phases of the process, through to specific methods and tools. Illustrative examples demonstrate how sustainable school development can succeed in everyday practice. Checklists, templates, and practical tips provide step-by-step support on the journey toward a future-oriented and sustainable school.
More information and additional resources are available on the Greenpeace Germany website.
Bibliographic reference:
Schlieszus, A.‑K., Holst, J., Grauer, C., & Fischer, D. (2026). Leading sustainability. Future-oriented school development with the Whole School Approach: A toolkit for school management teams. Schools for Earth - Das Greenpeace Schulprojekt. https://www.greenpeace.de/bildungsmaterial/Leading Sustainability.pdf https://doi.org/10.60813/8rpp-qt96
