CIPR Specialist Diploma: Sustainability Communications

Level 7 | Postgraduate Degree | 11SQA
Lead with purpose and impact

Designed for senior professionals, this qualification builds your expertise in sustainability communications, helping you shape strategies that drive positive environmental and social change.

You’ll deepen your understanding of stakeholder engagement, ethical storytelling, and responsible advocacy—equipping you to influence behaviours, support organisational goals, and champion sustainability.

Achieve a respected CIPR qualification that recognises your ability to lead sustainability communications with credibility and impact.

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Accredited qualification

Digital Marketing Institute
Format
Live online

Live cohort start dates
September 2025
January, April, June 2026
Duration
10 weeks
Course tutors
Dr Heather Yaxley
Course fee

£1,349 +VAT
Plus Institutional fees
CIPR Fees
Membership £80
Registration £81
Assessment £355
*Team discounts and payment options available

Get a recognised qualification

Join a 300,000 strong digital marketing community!

Over 75,000

Learners

5.0 (62 reviews) 

Why learn with nesma ?

We offer personalised learning that adapts to your changing situation at work and home, and more tutor hours to make sure you achieve your learning goals faster! 

Plus using our exclusive SkillsView™ and dedicated advisors, we work with you to help you build learning pathways to help you get that promotion! 

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Unique offers for this programme: 

We provide a unique range of offers to support your learning experience when completing this qualification:
  • Flexible dual award options to enhance your qualification portfolio
  • Earn nesma credits for smoother progression to other programmes.
  • Dedicated expert support available throughout your learning journey.

Course description

Advance your impact in sustainability communications with the CIPR Specialist Diploma in Sustainability Communications.

You’ll learn to develop responsible strategies, engage diverse stakeholders, and lead campaigns that drive meaningful environmental and social change—rooted in ethical practice and practical insights.

Ideal for experienced communications professionals ready to specialise or take on senior leadership roles. With nesma, you’ll gain expert support and a respected qualification that proves your ability to lead sustainability communications with purpose.
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What you'll learn

This qualification equips you with the strategic insight, skills, and ethical understanding to lead sustainability communications with impact. You’ll learn how to develop responsible strategies, engage diverse stakeholders, and drive positive environmental and social change.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
  • Design sustainable communication strategies:
    Create campaigns that align with organisational values and promote environmental and social responsibility.
  • Engage diverse stakeholders:  Build partnerships with communities, influencers, and decision-makers to advance sustainability goals.
  • Apply ethical communication:  Ensure your work upholds professional standards, transparency, and accountability in sustainability practices.

Your course includes

  • 10 weeks of expert-led live online classroom sessions
  • Curated resources and case studies to support your learning.
  • 121 sessions with tutor to support with assignment 
  • Live online learning with lifetime access 
  • Qualification Certificate

Lead sustainable change with confidence

This course is perfect for experienced communications professionals ready to lead sustainability efforts—whether you’re shaping strategy, advising leaders, or driving responsible advocacy.

Learn how to develop impactful sustainability communication strategies, engage diverse stakeholders, and promote ethical, transparent practices. You’ll build the skills to influence organisational culture, support environmental and social goals, and enhance reputation.

By the end, you’ll be equipped to lead with strategic insight, ethical judgement, and practical tools—backed by a respected CIPR qualification that showcases your expertise in sustainability communications.

With nesma, you’ll benefit from expert tutor support, flexible online learning, and a quicker, smarter path to professional success.

All of our learners gain access to the nesma learning hub via your own homepage.

From here you can access all of your courses, materials and activities, see your progress and work with other students. 

The platform provides broader benefits including skills passport, activity badges, and access to skills intelligence, offers and news!

Aims

You’ll develop the confidence, insight, and specialist skills to lead sustainability communications with strategic impact—driving responsible change and engaging diverse stakeholders.

In short, you’ll become a CERTIFIED sustainability communications leader, ready to influence culture, advance environmental and social goals, and strengthen your organisation’s reputation with integrity and purpose.

Assessment 

To complete the course, you’ll submit 1 assignemnt:


  • A 3,000-word executive report analysing a real or simulated sustainability communications challenge, evaluating strategies, and recommending improvements based on research and best practice.
  • A 2,000-word reflective statement covering your research, methodology, ethical considerations, and insights gained.

This practical assessment demonstrates your ability to lead sustainability communications with strategic thinking, professionalism, and ethical judgment. You’ll receive clear guidance and expert support throughout.

CIPR Membership  & Assessment Fees

We handle all the admin – you focus on learning
We’ll arrange your membership, registration, and assessment  fees,  and help you prepare with practice tests and revision sessions.
Plus, as a CIPR member, you’ll gain access to expert resources, practical toolkits, on-demand webinars, and exclusive networking opportunities. You’ll also benefit from ongoing career support and become part of a vibrant community of PR and communications professionals committed to ethical, high-impact practice.
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Who is it for?

This course is designed for experienced PR and communications professionals ready to lead sustainability communications with strategic impact.

Ideal for senior practitioners, consultants, sustainability specialists, and in-house or agency professionals who want to deepen their expertise, strengthen strategic sustainability skills, and earn a respected qualification that supports leadership in environmental and social responsibility.  If your not sure talk to us  

Entry requirements

YYou’re eligible if you hold a relevant CIPR qualification, a UK degree (or equivalent), or have several years’ experience in sustainability communications or related fields. Other professional qualifications plus relevant experience may also qualify you.

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate you’ve achieved an equivalent qualification.  If your not sure talk to us  

Your course tutor

Anne-Marie Lacey

PR Expert

Anne-Marie Lacey is a senior tutor at nesma and founder of Filament PR, a virtual agency providing consultancy and coaching to leading brands. As a Fellow of the CIPR and Chartered Practitioner, she brings extensive experience in crisis management, international trade fairs, and communications strategy. Anne-Marie combines practical industry knowledge with a passion for teaching, helping students develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their CIPR qualifications and professional careers.

Learning outcomes


What our learners say

Ready for real-world impact

This course gave me the tools to confidently navigate complex public affairs challenges and influence key stakeholders.

Insights that drive change

Learning to recommend improvements grounded in evidence has transformed how I lead advocacy campaigns.

Strategic skills unlocked

I now evaluate and adapt strategies with ease, backed by solid research and practical best practices

Empowered to lead Multi-Channel PR

I am now more confident in planning and executing multi-channel PR campaigns, making the most of interesting content and measuring PR in a more meaningful and effective way.

Confident, Credible, and Evidence-Led

I now make sure evaluation is a part of every key activity we undertake, and I use data and insight much more than I ever have. I can now explain the theory behind my decisions and cite examples that I’ve picked up during my studies.

Ready to take the next step 

I know that I’m ready to take the next step in my career, to work with a team under me that I can develop and share ideas with. The expert knowledge that I’ve gained through studying is being put into practice with success.

5% off for nesma students and alumni!

If you have registered or attended a course
with us before, copy/ use the promo code
on the right when you enrol*
*We will of course verify you have previously learnt with us
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