Can you tell us a bit about The Sustainable Life School? (The journey so far, motivation behind setting it up)

Hi, we are Nathalie and Diane, founders of The Sustainable Life School. The idea for The Sustainable Life School was born in Diane’s kitchen and came to life through the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Idea Academy in 2020. Before we were business partners, we were friends (still are), we met at a baby group in 2016. We instantly bonded over our concern about the climate crisis, and also where to find the best coffee.

We are both passionate about sustainable living. We wanted to create a friendly and positive space where people could learn how to take meaningful climate action by making everyday lifestyle changes.

What services do you offer?

We help workplaces engage their people on climate action and sustainability through a range of offerings: Lunch & Learns, sustainable living programmes, green team workshops, eco events, and communications.

Our sessions cover the many areas of life where we can make an impact such as reducing plastic and waste, fashion, energy, travel, parenting, food, digital pollution, and more. We also host events such as the Clothes Swap Pop-Ups and our flagship annual event,  SDGs Fest.

What is the most popular topic or workshop that you offer or discuss? Why do you think this is?

Our most requested sessions are Zero-ish Waste Living and Sustainable Fashion. These topics are especially close to our hearts, as they were our own starting points on this journey. 

Nathalie: I started by learning more about the impact of fashion on the environment but also the unfair treatment of workers in supply chains. This really motivated me to make changes. I firstly started by buying a lot less clothes, buying less but better quality and from brands that I admired. Brands that have a focus on being more ethical and kinder to the environment.  I also started buying pre-loved clothes and accessories. After tackling the clothes, I moved on to reducing plastic. I started in the bathroom, every month I’d pick an item that ran out and challenged myself to find a more eco, plastic free version. Area by area, I tried to make small changes, and over the years they all add up. 

These workshops are popular because the environmental impact of plastic and fast fashion has been widely exposed in the media. People are more aware than ever and, most importantly, they’re curious and motivated to take action.

What do you think is the best way to engage people on the topic of sustainability?

We believe knowledge is power – but only when it’s paired with practical tools. It’s all about helping people see what they can do in their daily lives so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

We also believe fun is essential. Our sessions have a warm, friendly vibe, and while we’re strict about where our content comes from, we always keep things jargon-free and accessible.

What is the overall feeling from community groups that you work with? Are they enthusiastic? Looking for ideas? Or overwhelmed?

Participants at our community events come because they care – and that shows. They’re positive, curious, and eager to learn. Our sessions are interactive, and we often learn just as much from them through the tips and stories they share.

How does this differ (if at all) from the corporate workshops you host? Or are the same themes coming up?

The core themes are similar, but in our corporate sessions, we also focus on what can be done within the workplace. Through our Sustainable Living Programme, we guide teams to brainstorm changes that can be made at an organisational level, too. The changes made can be really impactful, such as removing single use plastic, switching to renewable energy, designing a new active travel policy etc.

What are your ambitions for the future? (Personal or business)

As a social enterprise, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn how to take climate action – and to benefit from living more sustainably.

A sustainable lifestyle can also save you money. Our dream is to develop a strategic partnership that will help us scale our offering, reach more vulnerable communities, and truly achieve our social mission.

How do you stay energised and engaged in a world full of mixed messages and shifting narratives?

Being around people who care is incredibly energising. We try to attend as many sustainability and climate events as we can to stay connected to our community and stay inspired.

We also stay informed but we’re careful not to doom-scroll. Balance is key.

Can you nominate your climate hero(es)?

Nathalie and Diane: It’s hard to pick just one! We are really inspired by people who take action- whether it’s starting a global movement like Greta Thunberg or designing a solution to eliminate plastic from the Ocean like Boyan Slat’s The Ocean Cleanup. If you make something positive happen, you’re our hero.

Can you share your #1 tip for making sustainability more accessible to individuals?

The most sustainable thing you can do is to use what you already have for as long as possible.

Buy less, choose better quality, make things last and if you’re buying something new, try secondhand first. It’s often cheaper too!