The Top Sustainability Books to Read in 2025 to Boost Your Knowledge

Eco consciousness is more prevalent than ever, with 87% of people saying that climate change is a constant thought in their lives. However, searching the internet for the best practices to improve sustainability can be overwhelming, with the breadth of information available. Books, however, provide a succinct focus and in-depth insights into topics that matter most. After collating the data gathered from 100 sustainability events, we have selected our top books that offer a range of raw anecdotes, raise awareness of the condition of the environment, and provide actionable practices for bettering the health of the planet:

1. ‘Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilisation’ – Dr Ayesha Khanna
2. ‘Countryfile: Adam’s Farm: My Life on the Land’ – Adam Henson
3. ‘How to Save Your Planet One Object at a Time’ – Dr Tara Shine
4. ‘Embedding Sustainability: How to Drive Organisational Transformation’ – Pia Heidenmark-Cook
5. ‘Biomimicry in Architecture’ – Michael Pawlyn
6. ‘Lean from Looking: How Observation Drives Innovation’ – Charlie Szoradi
7. ‘The Hot Topic: How to Tackle Global Warming and Still Keep the Lights on’ – David King
8. ‘The Winning of the Carbon War’ – Jeremy Leggett
9. ‘Love, Anger & Betrayal: Just Stop Oik’s Young Climate Campaigners’ – Jonathon Porritt
10. ‘The Ocean and Us’ – Farah Obaidullah

Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilisation by Dr Ayesha Khanna

Exploring the profound shift from merely coexisting with technology to actively coevolving with it, Ayesha examines the rise of an age where technology is ubiquitous, intelligent, and social, shaping not only how we live but also how we feel and connect. With sensors, autonomous systems, and emotionally responsive devices, technology now influences human behaviour as much as we influence it. This thought-provoking book asks how individuals, societies, and nations will adapt to a world where technology has agency and where the future of humanity is inseparable from the machines we create.

Dr Ayesha Khanna is co-founder and CEO of ADDO AI, specialising in artificial intelligence and smart city solutions that drive sustainability. With over 15 years’ experience in technology innovation, she advises governments and corporations worldwide on using AI to create greener, more resilient urban systems and sustainable, human-centred environments.

A Breed Apart: My Adventures With Britain’s Rarest Breeds by Adam Henson

Unlike many sustainability books that concentrate on technology, policy or lifestyle changes, this story looks to Britain’s fields and farms, celebrating the rare native breeds that have quietly sustained people and landscapes for centuries. From the iconic Highland cow to the resilient Cotswold sheep and the unusual Manx Loagthan ram, each animal reveals a deeper connection between farming, conservation and biodiversity. By focusing on living heritage rather than abstract concepts, it offers a refreshing perspective on sustainability, showing how protecting rare breeds safeguards genetic diversity, strengthens rural communities and secures more resilient and ethical food systems for the future.

Adam Henson is one of Britain’s most beloved farmers and is renowned as a long-time presenter on BBC Countryfile. As the owner of the Cotswold Farm Park, he is a passionate advocate for sustainable farming and caring for rare breeds. He combines decades of hands-on agricultural experience with media expertise, authorship, and public speaking on conservation and sustainability.

How to Save Your Planet One Object at a Time by Dr Tara Shine

A practical and empowering guide to everyday sustainability. Through familiar household objects, like coffee cups, toothbrushes, and phones, Tara shows how small yet conscious choices can make a big difference for the planet. By blending science with accessible tips, the book helps readers understand the environmental impact of everyday items and offers realistic steps toward reducing waste, cutting carbon, and living more sustainably. Engaging and solution-focused, it’s a handbook for anyone wanting to create meaningful change without feeling overwhelmed.

Dr Tara Shine is an environmental scientist and co-founder of Change by Degrees, dedicated to making sustainability accessible. With over 20 years’ experience in climate policy and UN negotiations, she co-founded Plastic Free Kinsale and is a leading voice on climate justice, sustainable development, and practical action for a greener future.

Embedding Sustainability: How to Drive Organisational Transformation by Pia Heidenmark-Cook

Drawing on her experience as IKEA’s former Chief Sustainability Officer, Pia shares strategies, real case studies, and actionable insights for embedding environmental and social responsibility into corporate culture, operations, and strategy. Clear, pragmatic, and inspiring, the book demonstrates how organisations can move beyond surface-level initiatives to achieve meaningful, lasting impact while creating value for people, planet, and profit. It is a practical guide for leaders aiming to integrate sustainability into the heart of their business.

Pia Heidenmark-Cook, former Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group (IKEA), is a global leader in corporate sustainability. She pioneered circular business models, clean energy adoption, and responsible sourcing, making IKEA an industry benchmark. Today, she advises boards, speaks internationally, and guides organisations on embedding sustainability into strategy, culture, and operations.

Biomimicry in Architecture by Michael Pawlyn

Drawing on examples from ecosystems and organisms, Michael explores how nature’s designs can inspire innovative, sustainable solutions in the built environment. He demonstrates how architects and designers can reduce energy use, minimise waste, and create regenerative spaces by emulating natural processes. With both practical and visionary insights, the book shows how biomimicry can revolutionise materials, structures, and systems to tackle environmental challenges while enhancing human well-being. An accessible and thought-provoking read, it’s essential for anyone interested in the intersection of architecture, design, and sustainability.

Michael Pawlyn is a pioneering architect and sustainability leader, renowned for applying biomimicry to design regenerative, nature-inspired solutions. A key figure behind The Eden Project and founder of Exploration Architecture, he advocates for circular economy principles and innovative approaches that address environmental challenges while reshaping the future of sustainable architecture.

Learn from Looking: How Observation Inspires Innovation by Charlie Szoradi

Through Charlie’s unique exploration of how careful observation can spark creative problem-solving, he blends his insights from architecture, design, sustainability, and everyday life. Demonstrating how paying attention to the details around us can fuel innovation and lead to smarter, more sustainable solutions, his engaging stories and practical lessons encourage readers to slow down, see the world differently, and uncover inspiration in unexpected places. It’s both a guide to creativity and a call to rethink how we approach challenges in business, design, and daily living.

Charlie Szoradi is a sustainability expert with over 30 years of experience in high-performance architecture, green technology, and next-generation agriculture. Founder of multiple award-winning organisations, he has advised Fortune 100 companies and the US military. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Charlie champions cost-effective, innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

The Hot Topic: How to Tackle Global Warming and Still Keep the Lights On by Sir David King

Cutting through the noise to deliver a clear, balanced guide to climate change, David combines science, policy, and practical advice to explain how the climate is changing, the adaptations required, and the technologies and political strategies that can drive solutions. He also highlights what individuals and communities can do to make a real, measurable impact. With accessible language and action-oriented plans, the book offers hope and direction for addressing global warming while sustaining modern life.

Sir David King is a leading scientist and climate advisor, best known as the UK Government’s former Chief Scientific Adviser and Climate Change Representative. Now Chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, he continues to influence global policy, champion sustainable solutions, and speak internationally on tackling climate change and energy challenges.

The Winning of the Carbon War by Jeremy Leggett

A frontline account of the global struggle between clean energy advocates and defenders of fossil fuels. Drawing on his 25 years in the fight against climate change, Jeremy chronicles the turning point years from 2013 to the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, offering a compelling insider’s perspective on how momentum shifted toward a sustainable future. With an updated chapter covering 2016 and 2017, this book captures both the drama and hope of a world in transition to clean energy.

Jeremy Leggett is a pioneering social entrepreneur, writer, and climate campaigner. Founder of Solarcentury and SolarAid, and more recently Highlands Rewilding, he has dedicated his career to advancing renewable energy and biodiversity. A former Greenpeace scientist, he is a respected global voice on sustainability, energy transition, and climate action.

Love, Anger & Betrayal: Just Stop Oil’s Young Climate Campaigners by Jonathon Porritt

Through capturing the voices of 26 young activists risking arrest to demand urgent climate action, Jonathon shares their personal stories, exploring the emotions, convictions, controversial activities, and moral questions driving a new generation to embrace civil disobedience for intergenerational justice. Poignant and provocative, it highlights the courage of those confronting climate breakdown and challenges readers to reflect on responsibility, activism, and hope for the future.

Jonathon Porritt is a leading UK environmentalist, Co-Founder of Forum for the Future, and former Co-Chair of the Green Party. He has chaired the Sustainable Development Commission, directed Friends of the Earth, and served for 14 years as a WWF UK Trustee. An accomplished author, he has written nine influential books.

The Ocean and Us by Farah Obaidullah

Bringing together insights from over 35 global experts to explore humanity’s vital relationship with the ocean, the book covers themes from climate change, overfishing, and pollution to the blue economy and marine animal welfare. Highlighting both threats and solutions whilst also examining governance, innovation, and the social dimensions of ocean stewardship, it makes complex concepts accessible to all readers. Aimed at enhancing ocean literacy, this essential guide empowers individuals and communities to push for healthier seas and a sustainable future.

Farah Obaidullah is a leading ocean advocate with over 20 years of experience protecting marine ecosystems. Formerly Senior Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace, she founded The Ocean and Us and Women4Oceans, championing healthy seas, stopping deep-sea mining, and empowering women in marine industries. A scientist and speaker, she inspires global action for our oceans.

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