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How to Talk About Sustainability Without Sounding Like Everyone Else

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Let’s be honest: if you’ve read one sustainability statement, you’ve probably read them all.

🌱 “Carbon neutral by 2030.”
💚 “Committed to a greener future.”
👣 “Reducing our footprint for generations to come.”

Sound familiar? Thought so.

The problem isn’t that these goals aren’t good (they are). The problem is that when every brand says exactly the same thing, nobody stands out. It all blends into a sea of well-meaning but bland promises. And it starts to lose its meaning.

Why tone of voice matters

Sustainability messaging isn’t just about what you’re doing, it’s about how you talk about it. Your tone of voice is what makes your message sound like you, not a copy-and-paste from someone else’s website.

Here’s the truth: people are switched on. They know when a brand is just ticking a box. They know when the language has been pulled from a corporate template. And they definitely know when you’re trying to sound responsible without showing any personality.

How to avoid the “carbon-neutral-by-2030” trap

If you want your sustainability messaging to land, you need to do three things:

  1. 💚 Get specific. Instead of “reducing our impact,” tell me how. Numbers, actions, timelines. These give your message credibility.
  2. 💚 Be human. Write like a person, not a policy document. “We’ve ditched single-use plastics in our packaging” lands far better than “We are committed to minimising resource consumption.”
  3. 💚 Show personality. If your brand is playful, let that come through. If you’re serious and straight-talking, own it. Sustainability doesn’t have to sound the same for every business.
  4. 💚 Connect the dots. Don’t just talk about what you’re doing, explain why it matters to your customers, employees, or community. That’s where trust (and loyalty) is built.

Where I can help:

This is where I come in. At Jo Long Consulting, I work with businesses to:
  • ✅ Find their unique sustainability voice
  • ✅ Shape messages that are authentic, engaging, and free from greenwashing
  • ✅ Build brand strategies that connect responsibility with reputation

Because sustainability shouldn’t just be about doing good, it should also help you stand out, win trust, and grow your business.

Your next step

If your current sustainability messaging feels like it could belong to anyone, let’s fix that.
And if you’re not quite on the sustainability train, let’s talk about that too!

👉 I’m offering a quick audit of your messaging and sustainability wins, so you can see where you’re blending in and where you could be standing out.

Drop me an email, message on socials or give me a call and let's have a chat.
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Jo Long Consulting

Jo Long Consulting

County Durham, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8QG

07976378605

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