You're considering a career in sustainability consulting. How can you navigate the diverse paths ahead?

The simple solution would be to start exploring sustainability reports of companies operating in a sector where you have skills. For example, if you are an IT professional, start reading about what Microsoft, Apple, Google, TCS, Infosys, etc., highlight in their sustainability reports. Ample information gives you insights into which specific skill or domain to target. Let's say you are good at coding. Learn about companies' actions to make computer programming languages, data centers, and file storage sustainable. Once you have identified your niche, gain knowledge through certifications and contribute to projects.

When faced with the overwhelming volume of sustainability information to learn, consider the strategy of the “three levels of sustainability knowledge”: 1. The Sustainability Firehose (20% of your time). An ambient awareness of everything happening in sustainability. Source: general sustainability news 2. General Domain of Interest (60% of your time). The area that you want to work in, such as sustainable supply chains. Source: curated information from industry 3. Specialist Domain of Interest (20% of your time). An area of expertise within the general domain, such as supply chain data. Source: original industry reports and research articles This structure allows you to identify a focus and balance different depths of knowledge.

I disagree with the notion that you need a degree or a certification in environmental science or related fields to be able to become a sustainability consultant. What counts is your hands on experience in fields of matter. I have seen a lot of people from Quality Management or other consulting backgrounds getting a grip on the topic of sustainability and contributing as sustainability consultants.

Além das certificações, uma forma muito efetiva de aprender um novo tema é por meio da leitura. Há obras com excelente conteúdo disponíveis que podem ajudar um profissional a se aprofundar no tema de interesse.

A busca por conhecimento deverá ser constante, as informações chegam muito rápido ao clientes, por isso a importância estar sempre atento as questões de mercado, dados atualizados sobre questões de sustentabilidade também é imprescindível.

Minha experiência é através de voluntariado e networks, outra área importantíssima para um consultor ambiental é o comercial, precisamos vender a sustentabilidade como propósito.

In the cases of career coaching high school students young adults start with educating about the fundamental planetary boundaries and their metrics for human and species survival. Then teach the sciences related to the Anthropocene, the new geological age dominated by humankind and how to manage our world biomes based on the disastrous environmental consequences of the last 150 years. Immerse them sustainability metrics based on the UN 17 sustainable development goals, which measure and integrate social and environmental impacts. Each country makes annual reports on attaining these metrics. And the best training is to learn to organically grow your own food.

In the EU with its new CSRD regulations companies currently mainly focus on search for reporting talent. The thing is: the report is just an end result of a lot of sustainability activities. To write a good CSRD report you still need to understand how to define a sustainability strategy, how to take people along the journey, what kind of measures are required (restricting climate change is still the main point), how to implement them, how to measure success, and then - only then - how to put it into a correct reporting format. So, upskill in negotiation, strategizing, stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, project management, CO2 or greenhouse gas measurement, software selection, data source integration, and so on, and so on.

La consultoría en sostenibilidad es un desafío constante que va más allá de la simple comprensión de sostenibilidad. Es una disciplina que se aplica a todas las industrias y sectores, y por lo tanto, exige un refinamiento constante de habilidades tanto técnicas como Mantenga una mentalidad abierta hacia el aprendizaje continuo y aproveche todas las oportunidades para perfeccionar tus habilidades, ya sea a través de pasantías, trabajos voluntarios en organizaciones centradas en la sostenibilidad o cualquier otra actividad que fomente tu crecimiento profesional. Esto no sólo mejorará tus capacidades técnicas, sino que también fortalecerá tu capacidad para gestionar y ejecutar proyectos de consultoría de manera eficiente y efectiva.

Networking is a powerful tool in sustainability consulting, crucial for professional development and business success. It facilitates the exchange of knowledge and best practices, keeping you updated with the latest trends and innovative solutions. Additionally, it opens doors to multidisciplinary collaborations, allowing you to offer comprehensive solutions to your clients. Networking increases your visibility and credibility in the industry, generating new business opportunities and referrals. It also provides valuable insights into market needs and support from experienced mentors and colleagues. In summary, networking strengthens your practice, improves client outcomes, and promotes positive impact.

Possuo uma ampla rede de network por participar de ações voluntárias, estar em eventos e ter um rede ampla de parcerias auxilia muito.

The people who distribute and fund these opportunities should see you a perfect match for the job. Indeed, rather than an overall best, this is more of a key-lock relationship. Whichever location you would like to be enlisted in sustainability consulting, know who controls the fund and make yourself known to them as someone necessary for this job. On top of them create your branding strategy, that will help you expand your network in that or other regions.

Il est essentiel de comprendre pourquoi le reporting ESG est demandé aux entreprises et comment ce reporting s'applique à votre secteur d'activité. Quels sont les risques inhérents à votre secteur et comment obtenir des assurances de durabilité.

Precisamos estar atento a mão invisível do mercado, isso significada estar de olho no que o mercado está buscando, assim teremos novas oportunidades.

Jumping to consultancy jobs with good consulting and sustainability background but no familiarity with the real world is a nightmare. In all cases you will be considered to know industrial/legal dynamics and they will also be practically important even though not explicitly stated.

If you're considering a career in sustainability consulting, certifications like the LEED Green Associate or ISSP Certified Sustainability Professional can set you apart. I'm transitioning from ESG Marketing to ESG Consulting, and I've just obtained the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) Fundamentals certification. This is crucial as more companies now need to comply with EU sustainability reporting standards. I'm also working on the ISSP Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) credential to deepen my understanding of core sustainability concepts and strategies.

En mi trayectoria como consultora, he comprobado la importancia de contar con certificaciones pertinentes. Estas no solo validan nuestro conocimiento y habilidades, también elevan nuestra credibilidad ante clientes y colegas. Personalmente, la certificación en el Sistema de SEIA ha sido un diferenciador clave, permitiéndome liderar proyectos con un entendimiento profundo de los requisitos regulatorios y técnicos. Además, he complementado mi perfil con otras acreditaciones relevantes en el ámbito ambiental, lo cual ha enriquecido mi capacidad para implementar prácticas sostenibles adaptadas a los desafíos de cada proyecto. Las certificaciones no solo son un testimonio profesional, sino también un pilar para mantenerse actualizado.

A trajetória deve ser ampla e conhecimento sempre irá agregar no nosso trabalho. O aprendizado é contínuo. As certificações são garantia de um profissional qualificado.

Start your certification and lifelong learner journey from free badges, trainings, and certifications. These are generally provided by public institutions like NASA, or international bodies like UN, EU. There can also be many certificate opportunities in your specific country and institution. Once people see the track record from your cv and certificates, they will also be eager to support you on having registered in company-financed highly-standardized trainings later on.

As a sustainability consultant, I worked on various projects, building a solid relationship of trust with my clients. At a manufacturing company, I conducted a production audit and implemented energy efficiency and recycling measures, reducing their costs and carbon footprint. For a service company, I developed a sustainability policy and volunteer programs, improving their reputation and internal morale. With a food company, I guided the sustainability certification process, opening new market opportunities. I maintained open communication and provided practical, tailored, and effective solutions, reinforcing trust in my consultancy.

Practical experience indeed is invaluable. It is what possible clients will ask about. So, wherever you can get experience from, small projects or large, even unpaid ones, go for it. What also counts, though, is your experience outside the field. What you bring to the table from your old job. It might be consulting experience, or industry experience, or experience in the application of software, or leadership experience. This all goes into the mix you are going to expertly use and hence present to clients.

Developing strong relationships with clients is essential for sustainability consultants. Focus on understanding client needs, delivering value, and building trust. Consider specializing in specific areas of sustainability consulting such as energy efficiency, waste management, sustainable supply chain, or renewable energy. Specialization can differentiate you in the market and attract clients with specific needs. The field of sustainability is dynamic and evolving. Stay adaptable and open to new opportunities, emerging technologies, and changing client expectations.

Establishing a strong personal brand and providing actionable solutions are crucial for success in the sustainability sector. As the field continues to evolve rapidly, requiring swift adaptation, consulting services have become a lucrative opportunity. By offering expert guidance and practical support, sustainability consultants can help industries navigate the transition, making it a profitable and in-demand profession.