What are the most effective ways to develop your knowledge of sustainability consulting?

Sustainability is a vast topic, full of acronyms, brand-new concepts, and new legislation. While having a degree in the environmental field helps, practical experience will lead to real-life models of how a fast-changing space is evolving. My recommendation would be to stay curious, hungry for information and to understand frameworks and solutions. In sustainability, no solution fits all, and every project has to be assessed considering a systemic perspective, local influences and a changing environment. Learn about successful business cases, scenario analysis, risk management, material flow analysis, and impact assessment. Network with experts in the field. Be open and willing to confront the status quo and bring innovative solutions.

Knowing the Product , the product mix is important - through research into Life Cycle of the the Product & its allied services, Knowing the raw material from which the product is made , the resources, Knowing The process of manufacturing, the resources & energy it consumes, being knowledgeable about the end product or services, how it reaches the end of its product cycle, The energy channels , utilization of resources - the share of renewable energy in the entire cycle, the scope of reuse of the end of cycle product for further capitalization.

Developing expertise in sustainability consulting involves enrolling in specialized educational programs, staying updated on industry trends through publications, and actively networking with professionals and organizations like ISSP or GACSO. Seek mentorship, explore online courses, attend conferences for exposure to industry leaders, and stay informed on regulatory changes. To enhance credibility, pursue certifications such as CSP or LEED. Combining formal education, practical experience, networking, and ongoing learning is essential for a comprehensive understanding of sustainability consulting.

Sustainability professionals need to stay updated with the latest trends and updates. Books and articles are one way of being updated, and also annual reports and newsletters of the latest news and analysis are essential such as: - The Global Reporting Initiative Reports. - The UN annual reports. - Sustainability Matters Newsletter. - The sustainability Report.

I have been in EHS for many years now, and when I started working for an EU-based company, I was given the Regional Sustainability Officer role. I had to gain a crash course in the subject and become an expert. What I found the most valuable in developing my sustainability knowledge was diving into and performing with mentors, EcoVadis, and CDP disclosures. These third parties are very useful in the education of the important spaces in ESG and the scoring methodologies teach you the most important issues to pay attention to. I highly recommend finding more experienced mentors to developed your knowledge in the ESG Space.

O aperfeiçoamento através de cursos, webinars, live, entre outros são maneiras de estar sempre atentos as mudanças que ocorrem na área ambiental. As experiências vividas por outros profissionais nos ajudam muito em soluções ambientais. Sempre busco me atualizar e ler bastante as legislações, em especial as municipais.

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Fazer os cursos para se capacitar e ter o devido conhecimento das normas e diretrizes é muito importante. Contudo, essa é apenas uma das etapas.

Buscar sempre se atualizar através de cursos e afins é de suma importância, tanto para sempre se manter por dentro das mudanças que possam ocorrer, como para se adaptar e utilizar dessas mesmas mudanças. Além da troca de conhecimento e de práticas profissionais que costuma ser imensa e faz o profissional crescer ainda mais.

At my point of view, Sustainability involves integrating environmentally and socially responsible practices into your business operations and client engagements. It’s a vast topic as Mrs Camila Tavora Soares said but here are some strategies to be more sustainable in the consulting like adopting green practices, incorporating sustainable metrics, client education, and collaborating with sustainable partners.

Qualquer cidadão pode requerer e fazer consulta aos relatórios ambientais submetidos nos órgãos, esses materiais são ricos em detalhes de como técnicas e processos ambientais são conduzidos e podem apoiar na capacitação de profissionais novos na área.

El camino a la sostenibilidad Empresarial está lleno de retos, oportunidades y aprendizajes, sin duda alguna, convertirse en un referente en esté campo, requiere de conocimientos, entrenamiento y experiencia. Todas las herramientas alrededor de estás buenas prácticas, sin duda aportaran a forjar un criterio robusto. Es importante que también se trabaje desde la práctica, la academia y la participación colaborativa, esto de cierta manera también permitirá construir conceptos. Al final, se debe garantizar que hay conocimiento constante, que se documenta frente a los cambios más recientes y que toda acción por la sostenibilidad, desde la posición que sea, busca beneficiar en todas las dimensiones que abarca el concepto.

Fazer parceria com grupos da sua área profissional é muito importante, pois compartilhar nossas dúvidas gera mais confiança a outros profissionais da rede. Na rede, a troca de experiência e materiais nos colocam em outro nível de conhecimento e atuação na área ambiental. Na rede é possível saber de cursos, webinars, live entre outros para nossa atualização como consultoria ambiental.

Professional networks can be good resource to discuss issues being faced and possible solutions. However, it is necessary such professional networks are focussed and filter out spam and non-related information to the discussion topics.

Participating in a sustainability effort in your community. Searching for opportunities and focus on projects that involve environmental or social issues. Specially, you should be a volunteer at any environment program as recycling, reuse, or value ideas..., it can help you gain relevant experience, learn new skills and hone your passion for sustainability.

Um exemplo que já vivi, fui voluntário em uma consultoria que realiza estudo de viabilidade do projeto. A consultoria realiza o levantamento de vegetação do local para implementação de condomínio residencial. No levantamento pude aprender a reconhecer os tipos de vegetação, o nome das árvores e plantas nativas, exótica ou morta. Na identificação das árvores realizamos medições do DAP, Fuste e Altura. Foi uma experiência sensacional, como comentado anteriormente, a parceria com um Biólogo pode me trazer experiência e crescimento profissional fantástico. Recomendo a prática de parceria a todos que pretende atuar como consultoria ambiental.

A experiência prática é uma das formas mais eficazes de aprendizado, dessa forma você aprende de fato o que realmente é necessário para tomar ações com respeito ao tema sustentabilidade.

By actively participating in real-world projects, individuals can gain hands-on experience in implementing sustainable practices, conducting environmental assessments, and advising organizations on sustainability strategies. This direct involvement provides a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the sustainability consulting space, allowing volunteers or interns to learn from seasoned professionals and contribute to meaningful initiatives. Additionally, working closely with experts in the field and engaging with diverse stakeholders can offer valuable insights into the complexities of sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship.

Always a good means of gaining both knowledge and expertise, while building up your professional network. Giving back to a community as a volunteer worker is a good way of engaging and encouraging others.

La réalisation d'un projet concret est le gage du compréhension approfondie des sujets et permet de se détacher de la seule connaissance théorique. L'expérience concrète permet de faire face aux enjeux, c'est la clé d'une expertise pointue.

Especialmente considerando que a aplicação de Sustentabilidade e mais especificamente ESG no mundo corporativo muda MUITO de empresa para empresa e setor para setor, também porque as prioridades e temas materiais mudam. Por isto aprender e buscar feedback de pessoas que possam ter conhecimento técnico nas áreas de atuação é muito importante.

I have no doubts that the mentoring process is the most effective way to design your perspective as consulting in sustainability. This area is huge and you need help to understand what should you best way to follow. I strong recommend that you consult with a experienced professional in order to get a really professional help.

Absolutely agree. Share your thoughts and expertise with others. Ask stupid (there are none) questions. Try not to copy but to learn from others.

Mentores experientes podem oferecer insights valiosos, compartilhando conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo de suas carreiras, enquanto a troca de ideias com colegas cria um ambiente propício para a inovação e resolução conjunta de desafios. O feedback construtivo dessas fontes ajuda a aprimorar habilidades, identificar pontos cegos e fortalecer abordagens, contribuindo para um crescimento profissional sólido e uma atuação mais eficaz na consultoria de sustentabilidade.

A good mentor is a very useful way to gain both knowledge about a topic and confidence in your ability to get engaged. Finding a good mentor can be difficult, as while their knowlege and experience may be useful, it needs to be conveyed in a helpful manner.

Adaptive and continuous learning will help put a consultant at the forefront in sustainability consulting. The field is “new enough” to be able to make critical and relevant impacts. The complexity of the topic, and the variability between each company’s situation, demands a multifaceted consultant who is creative and multi-skilled. Staying on top of and actually UNDERSTANDING the nuances of regulatory frameworks, along with technological advancements and societal expectations can enhance a well-rounded consultant. Ultimately, as a sustainability consultant, the goal is to be well-equipped to guide businesses through the intricate balance of achieving environmental sustainability, without compromising their economic viability.

One of the core requirements is staying updated and relevant. Tracking all new developments, initiatives by global best ranked companies and solutions to the common issues takes one to be a forever learner. One of the underappreciated mediums is X (formerly Twitter). Following media relevant to your field, handles if initiatives and standard setting bodies (GRI, CDP, CoP) is quickest way to get the news before it's in newsletters and newspapers. Also, attending award functions to new initiatives by recognised companies and their case studies gives what other peers are working on recently.

In addition to all the above, you should also be able to apply it to your particular industry. Prepare your own guideline specific to your work stream so that it can be implemented well. This would also help in the learning and development of others in the similar industry and they would be able to adopt it in their routine work. Sustainability needs to be an incorporated as part of everyday work however, if applicability is unclear it will always be looked at as an industry term that is just fashionable.

I would consider hiring an environment/sustainability consultancy based on colleagues recommendation plus field experience and technical expertise. I don’t usually consider consultancies based only on LinkedIn approach through private messages. What I would do to gain expertise in any field: - courses, books, participation in technical forums, benchmarking - hands on, apply what you are learning in courses, books, etc. You can do it, for instance, through a project or an internship experience. Compare theory and practice and record your findings. - find yourself a senior mentor with proved experience in your business. (You can take this opportunity to discuss your findings) - keep your networking

El desarrollo de la educación formal en cuestiones medioambientales y sustentabilidad es un proceso constante. Por ello, es importante hacerse camino propio en el ámbito laboral y aprovechar la experiencia y los conocimientos de profesionales y trabajadores con experiencia en estos temas, en tanto la oferta de cursos suele ser limitada y en algunos casos hasta obsoleta. Es absolutamente relevante considerar la legislación local y regional así como también estar actualizado sobre sus potenciales cambios. En cuanto a la agronomía, mientras la administración estatal no exija a los agentes regular procesos o establezca requisitos específicos no hay consultorías ni proyectos que sean absolutamente viables de ejecutar.