In today’s corporate world, effective sustainability training for employees is crucial for building a greener future. But how do you ensure these lessons resonate and lead to real change? Enter whiteboard animations—dynamic, illustrated videos that transform complex concepts into engaging stories. Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Sarah from Sustainable Friends in their Milan concept store for Green Talk 85: Sustainability Illustrated. You can watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/vF4yxcijgtg?si=AO5unj5NtlfQ69cF. In this discussion, we dive into my journey from France to Canada, my shift to sustainability communication, and why whiteboard animations are a game-changer for employee education.
Whiteboard animations aren’t just pretty pictures; they’re a powerful tool for making sustainability training for employees memorable. Inspired by RSA Animate and The Story of Stuff, I adopted a simple black-and-white style over 13 years ago. These videos combine narration with hand-drawn illustrations that unfold in real-time, simplifying topics like carbon footprints, circular economy, climate change, Corporate Social Responsibility, greenwashing, biomimicry, etc. Unlike static slides or lectures, they cater to visual and auditory learners, boosting comprehension and retention. As I shared in the interview, kinesthetic learning might not fit videos, but the dual audio-visual approach covers most styles effectively.
So, how can you make sustainability training for employees stick using these animations? First, identify key pain points. From my workshops with businesses and communities, I know employees often struggle with abstract ideas. Start by scripting concise narratives—aim for 6-7 minutes to hold attention. Focus on high-impact topics like a definition of sustainability, triple bottom line and what sustainability means for a business.
Next, commission or create custom animations. I’ve produced videos for WWF, Amazon, Logitech, Valentino and many more, turning workshop highlights into employee resources. The feedback? Employees find them far more engaging than traditional training, leading to better understanding and application. Visuals make dense info digestible: a drawing of a circular economy loop sticks better than bullet points.
To amplify stickiness, integrate interactivity. Encourage discussions post-viewing or pair videos with quizzes. Promote humility in communication—avoid debates that alienate, as I advised in the talk.
Finally, measure impact. Track engagement metrics and employee feedback to refine future trainings. At Sustainability Illustrated, we’ve seen videos reach hundreds of thousands, scaling ideas from small rooms to global audiences.
Ready to elevate your sustainability training for employees? Explore our YouTube channel (@learnsustainability) or Patreon for resources. For custom whiteboard animations tailored to your team, visit sustainabilityillustrated.com/contact. Let’s illustrate a sustainable tomorrow together!
