The organisations that get the most from certification treat it as a shared project rather than a compliance exercise. People are one of the eight key areas for a reason.

Give people a real role

• Let teams own the evidence for the areas closest to their work.
• Involve students or staff in gathering data, which builds genuine buy-in.
• Share progress openly so momentum is visible.
• Celebrate each award level as a collective achievement.

When sustainability is something people do together, the improvements outlast the certificate, and the next submission is far easier.