What do you do if you want to gain sustainability experience without switching careers?

Experienced professionals often reassess their roles, seeking new opportunities in emerging fields. Sustainability has emerged as such a domain, offering a fresh path for seasoned practitioners to explore. Professionals from diverse backgrounds can contribute to sustainability without completely shifting focus. For instance, an internal auditor can integrate sustainability into their auditing process, ensuring the company fulfills its sustainability obligations alongside its core objectives. A HR executive can develop sustainability-focused training programs for employees, promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives, and implementing policies for green workplace practices. The upside is endless and rarely requires a total departure.

In assessing your current role for sustainability impact, consider the triple bottom line approach, which balances social, environmental, and economic factors. Every job has the potential to contribute to sustainability goals. For instance, a marketer can promote eco-friendly products, while an accountant can integrate sustainability metrics into financial reports. Identifying these intersections can reveal unique opportunities for innovation and leadership in sustainability within your existing position.

Explore online courses or certifications in sustainability. Participate in sustainability projects or initiatives within your current job. Volunteer with environmental organizations or initiatives in your free time. Seek out mentorship or guidance from professionals in the sustainability field. Attend workshops, webinars, or conferences related to sustainability.

In addition to your current role, you can look at opportunities beyond your direct scope-of-work. For example, is their another team that works more directly on sustainability projects? Perhaps there's a way you could collaborate or support them on a project. This will show initiative, allow you to build experience and work cross-functionally.

I think, Every role these days can integrate somehow with Sustainability. For example, if someone is CFO in some specific industry, he/she can easily relate themselves with what certain cashflow has impacted on key sustainability matters.

The things that I found most accessible whilst starting my career in sustainability: - Online courses and webinars on platforms like Coursera, edX and FutureLearn covering topics such as climate change, sustainable business practices and renewable energy - Joining sustainability-focused communities and forums on platforms like LinkedIn or Reddit to engage with professionals, share insights and stay updated on industry trends - Volunteering for sustainability initiatives or local environmental organizations to gain hands-on experience and networking opportunities within the field

Nowadays there is so much stuff available on internet. But my recommendation for any professional who wants to be in this feild is start studying from TCFD framework to get greater understanding because TCFD is fundamental to any other framework. And if someone wants to get certified professional there are certificates available as SCR by GARP, ESG by CFA Institute and GRI. Linkedin learning is also good source to get equiped.

The main goal of this Climate thing is to achieve 2050 goal. So sooner or later it will be mandatory on every industry. So one should now start doing it as a part of thrir task even if it is not mandatory, because at some point when it will be compulsory, one who already know what to do will be in demand.

I think everyone shoukd volunteer to sustainability because it is a good cause. Let me put it this way, institution in past days want high IRRs and good returns, but due to this shift, even they want impact more than profit, because what i believe personally is that restoring nature is the most supreme thing.

After training or certification one shoukd definately work somehow as per sustainability guidlines and showcase how much impact you have made at your workspace. This thing can have a huge mark on one's resumé

To gain sustainability experience without switching careers: 1. **Volunteer:** Offer skills to environmental groups. 2. **Join Committees:** Participate in sustainability teams. 3. **Take Courses:** Enroll in sustainability-related courses. 4. **Seek Projects:** Look for internal sustainability tasks. 5. **Attend Events:** Join sustainability conferences/workshops. 6. **Initiate Change:** Propose sustainability initiatives internally.