You’re in a sustainability career. What does it take to be adaptable?

In a sustainability career, adaptability is essential. It requires staying informed about evolving environmental regulations, technologies, and stakeholder expectations. Flexibility in approaches to problem-solving is crucial, as sustainability issues often present complex and dynamic challenges. Being open to new ideas, methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations enables professionals to navigate changing landscapes effectively. Moreover, maintaining a growth mindset fosters resilience in the face of setbacks or unexpected obstacles. Overall, adaptability in a sustainability career entails continuous learning, agility in response to change, and a commitment to driving positive environmental outcomes amidst uncertainty.

I think embracing uncertainties also necessitates a mindset that views challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. Recognising that each setback or unforeseen event can lead to novel solutions not previously considered is very important. This approach encourages a proactive stance towards problem solving, where the focus is on the potential for positive change rather than the limitations imposed by uncertainty. This perspective is vital for driving sustainable practices forward, as it opens up a wider array of possibilities for addressing environmental, social and economic issues.

To be a sustainability professional is to embrace, not uncertainty, but ongoing change. When you reach a specific target or meet a requirement, you know its about continuing to raise the bar - this is why we talk about continuous improvement. It's about being comfortable with the uncomfortable, with having to adapt and challenge ourselves. Otherwise it's just a tick box.

In a sustainability career, being adaptable is essential due to the constantly evolving nature of environmental challenges, regulations, technologies, and societal expectations. Here are some key traits and actions that contribute to adaptability in a sustainability career: Continuous Learning Problem-Solving Skills Flexibility Systems Thinking Networking and Collaboration

Working in the sustainable travel space and also being an avid traveler has fortified me with a mindset of change being inevitable and embracing it. A few lessons I've learned from working at the intersection of sustainability and climate are as follows: 1) the unknown makes me more resourceful which in turn usually leans more sustainable, minimal, and choice conscious 2) my superpowers and new strengths emerge in the midst of having to be resourceful which can be an empowering feeling of having everything you need, which can be a signal for your particular contributions and growth in the field 3) when you don't know something, you usually go searching for the answer or are willing to learn from others, a foundation for future collaboration

Understanding that we must unlearn to relearn. To remain agile, always questioning the old ways to find new, improved, and efficient ways of what we are doing. Continuous market research ensures you are always up-to-date.

You must stay up to date on the latest developments. And no, I am not speaking about flashy untested technology and buzzwords. I am speaking of geopolitical shifts, scientific knowledge, business tools, and best practice. Forget about influencers and business leaders and search for true experts who dystill the latest news. A great person to follow is Elena Doms, who until very recently had a 'last week in sustainability' podcast series.

For sustainability professionals, it is becoming extremely crucial to ´stay-in-the-know´ of the new and upcoming EU regulations under the European Green Deal to avoid business-critical consequences of non-compliance to these rules. In some cases, companies do not need to be registered in the EU to be subject to them. Multinational groups with significant EU operations are often in the scope of EU reporting obligations, whilst others may be indirectly impacted due to their EU subsidiaries. EU Taxonomy, CSRD, and SFDR are examples to such cases. EU´s ever-evolving regulatory ESG landscape can also bring about first-mover advantages and new markets for your company in terms of access to green investments and changing costumer preferences.

If you are a newbie in sustainability, the field can feel overwhelming. So many frameworks, so little time! But there's good news: interoperability is here to help. Imagine being able to use your knowledge of one framework across different situations, saving time and making sense of the ever-changing world of sustainability. That's the power of interoperability. Instead of juggling a million frameworks, think "plug and play". Frameworks are becoming more compatible, allowing you to apply skills from one area to another. The key to navigating this evolving landscape? Stay curious! Follow sustainability frameworks closely. By embracing interoperability and staying adaptable, you can thrive in this dynamic field and make a real impact.

As with other professions too, learning continuously is so underrated. For us to stay relevant, I couldn’t emphasise more how important it is to keep ourself updated with the latest regulations/news/technology/etc. Sustainability was not even a thing during my university time and if we were to stop learning, none of us would have been in this field by now. For a field that is relatively new, nothing are set in stone yet, so we have no choice but to keep learning.

La capacidad de adaptarse es la base fundamental de la evolución. Desde la biología, solo los más fuertes sobreviven debido a que son los que encuentran con mayor facilidad formas de alimentarse, reproducirse y garantizar la continuidad de la especie. De forma análoga, en las organizaciones, solo quienes logran adaptarse a las nuevas condiciones (macroeconómicas, sociales, de mercado) son quienes logran subsistir y mantenerse vigentes. Por supuesto, es importante aprender cosas nuevas, ser creativo y aprender a competir. Pero es aún más importante aprender a colaborar; a utilizar las herramientas disponibles y a sumar esfuerzos con otros miembros del equipo para aumentar la probabilidad de ser exitosos frente a los retos de la organización.

In the knowledge economy, people and their skills are quite specialized. Translating sustainability into language that resonates with each specialization is so important. Listen to what each stakeholder's drivers and pain points are - it isn't always obvious - and address them directly.

Sustainability challenges are complex and cannot be solved in isolation. Effective collaboration across disciplines and sectors is necessary to devise holistic solutions. Cultivate a network of colleagues, partners, and stakeholders with diverse skills and perspectives. Practice active listening and open communication to facilitate meaningful collaboration and leverage collective intelligence.

Para la creación de nuevas soluciones y alternativas que aporten a la sostenibilidad es muy importante desarrollar y contemplar un pensamiento sistémico y una visión integral que permita analizar el comportamiento y las interconexiones entre todas las variables del sistema, de tal forma, que se puedan identificar aportes y beneficios comunes, a partir de sinergias y colaboraciones. La mayor fuente de inspiración en este sentido es la Naturaleza y a través de la biomímesis es posible obtener la información de valor necesaria para que el desarrollo de tu próxima solución, sea disruptiva, acertada y de alto impacto positivo.

Addressing unprecedented sustainability challenges requires innovative thinking and a willingness to experiment. Being adaptable means being open to trying new approaches and learning from both successes and failures. Encourage and participate in pilot projects, innovative research, and cross-sector partnerships that test out new sustainability solutions. Foster a culture of creativity and risk-taking within your team or organization.

Most people working on sustainability will be disheartened by the lies, deception, and climate inaction they will witness on a daily basis. Ensure you have a good network of peers who can support you and, if needed, see a therapist. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. In fact, it can be extremely helpful to manage your eco-anxiety.

Doomsday thinking is as pervasive as the spread of misinformation in that it tends to affect and take over the mindset of the larger public. This type of thinking can cause stress, burnout, and a lack of apathy that anything done won't matter. It's important to understand that we are dealing with this reality so that we know what to target when mitigating the effects of stress. Climate optimism and other forms of positive thinking maintain a solutions oriented and collaboration based approach, which gives us avenues or pathways out of the darkness. All we need is a pathway out of the current frame of thinking to enact on it, and the more we share these examples or have spaces that encourage positive thinking, the more we can manage stress.

The pressing nature of sustainability issues, combined with the fast-paced change in the field, can be stressful. Effective stress management is key to maintaining your adaptability and well-being. Develop personal resilience practices, such as mindfulness, exercise, and work-life balance strategies. Seek support from colleagues and mentors when facing challenging projects or decisions. Also, it is important to understand that you don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, what you are doing no matter how strong is significant in the path of saving the planet.

Hablar de sustentabilidad emocional puede sonar extraño, no si nos apropiamos de este término y lo enfocamos a la manera como cada persona siente, se expresa y reafirma en su mente la caracterización de su personalidad. Ser sustentables emocionalmente, sin duda, nos ayudará a expresar mejor lo que somos para así estar más livianos de las cargas que la sociedad nos impone, para no agotar nuestro bienestar y hacer de nuestro entorno un lugar más sereno. No solo el planeta necesita de nosotros, a este punto eso es una obviedad, la clave sería entender que nos necesitamos así mismos para poder dar algo y dejar una huella en el mundo y en las personas de nuestro entorno.

Make sure you blend together what you learn in the private, public, nonprofit, and education sectors. This is to say: stay up to date on scientific knowledge, business tools, global/national policy, and demands for social equity and environmental justice. Once you start juggling all these topics together, it will gradually become easier to do so! Stay focused and make sure you collaborate with other sustainability professionals!

Being in 'sustainability' is as broad as 'working in industry'. Two areas of food for thought. First. Just as in any other area of industry consider where you want to focus and be known for. Materials sustainability is very different from Sustainability Reporting. An expertise in circularity is very different from an expert in Lifecycle Analysis. Beware being the 'jack of all trades, master of none'. Second. Sustainability should be everyone's job. Just as with Health & Safety. Business strategy needs to be one with sustainability strategy. It is just: Strategy. As sustainability professionals we need to be changemakers that ensure this is the case; every roles encompass sustainability (not just the 'sustainability department').

Manage your own expectations on the impacts you can have within your role and driving impact more broadly within the sector.

Adaptability in a sustainability career requires a combination of continuous learning, open-mindedness, and the ability to anticipate and respond to changing environmental regulations, technologies, and societal expectations. Professionals must stay informed about emerging trends and innovations in sustainability practices and possess the skills to integrate new approaches into their work. Effective communication and collaboration across disciplines are also vital, as sustainability challenges are complex and multifaceted. Embracing change, seeking diverse perspectives, and being proactive in problem-solving are key to navigating the dynamic field of sustainability successfully.

In a sustainability career, adaptability is key, and having a mentor is invaluable. Mentors provide guidance through evolving industry trends and regulatory landscapes, offering insights and advice drawn from their experiences. This relationship not only accelerates professional growth but also enhances your ability to navigate challenges, embrace new opportunities, and stay at the forefront of sustainability practices.