Toolkit for publishers and materials designers

Here are some ideas which you might consider. Some may not be possible or relevant, and if you have other ideas we’d love to hear from you!

Introduction

This toolkit provides practical guidance for integrating sustainability principles into English Language Teaching (ELT) materials and publishing practices. It addresses both content development and production processes to promote environmental awareness and reduce ecological impact.

1. Incorporate environmental topics naturally into language learning materials

• Climate change and its global impacts

• Renewable energy and sustainable technologies

• Biodiversity and ecosystem protection

• Sustainable urban development

• Responsible consumption and waste reduction

• Water conservation and management

2. Develop specific vocabulary sets related to

• Environmental science and ecology

• Climate action and policy

• Sustainable development

• Green technologies

• Conservation and preservation

• Environmental justice

3. Design activities that combine language learning with environmental awareness

• Case studies of successful environmental initiatives

• Role-plays involving environmental problem-solving

• Project work on local sustainability issues

• Reading comprehension using authentic environmental texts

• Listening exercises featuring environmental speakers and activists

• Writing tasks focused on environmental advocacy

4. Prioritize digital formats where appropriate

• Interactive e-books and digital workbooks

• Online assessment tools

• Mobile learning applications

• Web-based teacher resources

• Digital supplementary materials

• Cloud-based storage for resources

5. When physical materials are necessary

• Use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) - certified paper products

• Implement print-on-demand to reduce waste

• Choose local printing facilities to reduce transport emissions

• Use vegetable-based inks

• Design materials for durability and reuse

• Minimize packaging materials

• Use recyclable materials whenever possible

6. Optimize shipping and distribution

• Consolidate shipments

• Use eco-friendly packaging

• Partner with environmentally conscious distributors

• Implement regional printing hubs

• Calculate and offset carbon foot

7. Track environmental impact metrics

• Paper consumption and savings

• Carbon emissions from production and distribution

• Digital vs. physical resource usage

• Waste reduction achievements

• Energy consumption in production

• Water usage in printing processes

8. Establish environmental standards for

• Content development

• Production processes

• Supplier relationships

• Distribution networks

• Digital infrastructure

• Waste management

9. Document and share

• Annual sustainability reports

• Environmental impact assessments

• Success stories and case studies

• Challenges and solutions

• Progress towards goals

• Best practices and lessons learned

10. Provide resources for educators

• Professional development on environmental topics

• Lesson planning guides for sustainability content

• Additional online resources and references

• Community forums for sharing ideas

• Teaching tips for environmental topics

• Adaptation guides for local contexts

11. Create opportunities for learner engagement

• Environmental project suggestions

• Action-based learning activities

• Local community connections

• Global collaboration opportunities

• Student-led environmental initiatives

• Digital environmental portfolios

12. Foster broader environmental awareness

• Partnerships with environmental organizations

• Local community projects

• Parent involvement strategies

• School-wide initiatives

• Cross-cultural environmental exchange

• Global sustainability networks

13. Invest in sustainable solutions

• New materials and technologies

• Innovative teaching approaches

• Digital learning platforms

• Alternative production methods

• Waste reduction strategies

• Energy-efficient processes

14. Stay current with

• Emerging environmental issues

• New sustainable technologies

• Changes in environmental policy

• Educational trends

• Digital innovations

• Student needs and interests