What do you do if you want to stand out as a sustainability professional?

One thing I've found helpful is getting up to speed with the evolution of EU Regulation in this area particularly; the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation.

One thing I have learnt and also discovered that works is to develop an adaptive management whereby you understand your sector, have an analytical thinking approach and give opportunities to others to also shine in your team

Of course, it would be useful to know the basics of the concept of sustainability (kyoto protocol, paris climate agreement, etc.), but the important thing is to master the local legislation. An information structure that integrates the two would be more useful.

I often miss systems thinking in discussions about sustainability. Most people focus on regulations, frameworks and standards, but what about being able to understand the systemic nature of the challenges and building long term solutions? Example: In Finca Santa Fe, there were attempts to include ecosystem services into the bottomline. Namely, bee pollination for coffee plantation was valued at cca 60k USD/yr. But that made the bees dependant on the market. When coffee price dropped, plantation was converted to pineapples, which don't need pollination, and the "value" of bees dropped to zero. These types of fails happen when you try to chase some metric without thinking about the broader context.

To stand out as a sustainability professional, develop a niche expertise within the field, backed by certifications or advanced studies. Regularly contribute thought leadership through blogs, articles, or speaking engagements. Build a strong professional network by attending industry conferences and participating in sustainability groups. Leverage social media to share insights and engage with sustainability topics. Drive measurable sustainability results within your current role to showcase your impact. Stay abreast of emerging trends and innovations in sustainability to lead conversations and initiatives.

Sustainability is metered by measurable impacts and to stand out as a sustainability professional identify problems through a baseline assessment and gap analysis, proffer solutions through efficiency programmes, push for results through target settings and benchmarking, measure impact using ESG monitoring, measurement and evaluation frameworks and show your impacts through sustainability reports and impact stories.

If a sustainability expert is equipped only with legislation or general knowledge, this is insufficient. An effective sustainability professional must have technological knowledge, business management and employee experience, and good communication skills.

From a corporate lens, it is often important to show your impact of initiatives, connected to or supporting the business case. When sharing metrics, indicators or stories that demonstrate your value or impact, you should try to integrate the financial impact as much as possible. Impactful initiatives often use models to showcase both the environmental and financial impact of a new project, whether it be switching from virgin to recycled polyester, or in transitioning operations to renewable energy. Better impact models integrate scenario analysis, which highlights the spectrum of probabilistic scenarios that might occur based on different decisions. By using these in your role, your impact story becomes richer and well thought out.

Becoming an impactful professional, especially within sustainability, demands the cultivation of thought leadership and the ability to articulate ideas effectively. While sustainability encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, it's essential for practitioners to carve out a niche where they can delve deeper. This is more pronounced in the R&D / engineering discussions, as these areas often operate within narrower success parameters, facilitating more concise discussions. In contrast, discussions on strategy-related sustainability may involve more subjective viewpoints, blurring the lines between different perspectives. Nevertheless, it remains imperative to develop and communicate one's thoughts clearly and coherently.

Divulgar el conocimiento adquirido se suele ver como un gesto solidario o de generosidad hacia otros. Es cierto, pero al mismo tiempo es un ejercicio bastante egoísta de adquisición de conocimiento. Si te obligas a divulgar, te estás obligando a entender y a saber. Es bastante probable que recibas peticiones aclaratorias sobre conceptos complejos. En este caso, qué mejor que entender lo que estás divulgando para mostrar tu conocimiento real sobre cualquier cuestión. Es un riesgo, pero merece la pena si logras adquirir los conocimientos adecuados.

Definitivamente la curiosidad y una mentalidad abierta al aprendizaje te ayudarán en tu camino para destacar como experto en sostenibilidad. Porque se trata de un campo complejo, dinámico y muy cambiante, esto hace que siempre haya más cosas por aprender. En este sentido, participar de espacios de debate y discusión puede ser muy bueno, así como también el colaborar con otros profesionales de distintas disciplinas. Prueba y experimenta con nuevas ideas y enfoques en tu trabajo. Creo que siempre es bueno fomentar la curiosidad haciendo preguntas y cuestionando el status quo.

Keep learning and talking. This subject is constantly changing as we learn more and share our journey. It’s not about being the best or knowing it all, it’s about progress and intention. And for me it’s about sharing the good and the bad so we gain shared learning and optimisation

Ser curioso implica buscar constantemente nuevas ideas y perspectivas, explorando innovaciones y tendencias en el campo. La adaptabilidad se refiere a la capacidad de ajustarse a los cambios y desafíos, encontrar soluciones creativas y aprender de experiencias pasadas. Demostrar curiosidad y adaptabilidad significa estar abierto a aprender de diversas fuentes, mantenerse al día con las últimas investigaciones y desarrollos, y estar dispuesto a enfrentar y superar obstáculos con flexibilidad y resiliencia. Además, tratándose de un sector relativamente joven, no existen guías u hojas de ruta para todos los procesos implicados, por lo que la adaptabilidad es esencial para tener un impacto positivo y eficiente.

When explaining the sustainability strategy, it is necessary to be aware that there are different generations within the business. What you say may be perceived differently by them. For this reason, when communicating, a very clear language should be preferred and intermediate compilations should be made.

In my experience, when assessing sustainability strategies, it has been beneficial to critically analyze the "No's" - why wouldn't the project work, what else can you do, what is the opportunity cost of choosing this option over another. This has helped me to prepare questions others may have, and ensures that I can clearly articulate the proposed position.

?? Habla el idioma de tu audiencia: 1?? Define mensajes coherentes y constantes que transmitan los valores y objetivos de tu empresa de manera precisa y efectiva. 2?? Simplifica el mensaje y selecciona las causas e ideas más impactantes y relevantes para tu empresa y audiencia. 3?? Conecta la sostenibilidad con experiencias y preocupaciones cotidianas del público, para que puedan identificarse con el mensaje y sentir que su participación es importante para ellos.

Antes de falar, diria que sustentabilidade, é sobre ouvir e ouvir em dobro. Dentre tantas as habilidades necessárias, a habilidade de ouvir os grupos prioritários ainda é pouco difundida.

Effective communication in sustainability involves engaging with diverse audiences. Leveraging IT can enhance this. Use data visualization tools to translate complex sustainability data into clear, compelling visuals. Digital platforms like social media and webinars facilitate interactive dialogues, enabling active listening to stakeholders' needs. AI-driven sentiment analysis can gauge public opinion and tailor your messages accordingly. By integrating these IT solutions, you can communicate your sustainability initiatives more effectively, fostering greater understanding and collaboration among all stakeholders. This approach ensures your message is clear, impactful, and resonates with varied audiences.

Todo cambio empieza por uno mismo. Cada acción cuenta, que nuestra propia vida inspire. Para eso puede ser bueno: 1) Reflexionar sobre tus valores personales y cómo se relacionan con la sostenibilidad. 2) Identificar áreas en las que puedas hacer cambios en tu vida diaria para vivir de manera más sostenible. Hoy hay apps que posibilitan el tomar conciencia del impacto que tienen nuestras decisiones del día a día. 3) Elegir empresas y organizaciones que hacen una apuesta real por la sostenibilidad en sus operaciones y prácticas comerciales. 4) Participar en actividades de voluntariado y activismo relacionadas con la sostenibilidad. 5)Fomentar el diálogo, la colaboración y el intercambio de conocimientos sobre sostenibilidad.

?? La sostenibilidad no es solo una profesión, sino también una filosofía de vida que se refleja en cada aspecto de nuestro día a día. 1?? Reflexiona sobre tus hábitos de consumo y cómo impactan en el medio ambiente. ?Qué cambios puedes hacer para reducir tu huella ecológica? 2?? Conecta contigo mismo y con la naturaleza. Dedica tiempo a actividades al aire libre que te ayuden a reconectar y apreciar la belleza del mundo natural. 3?? Examina tus valores fundamentales y cómo se relacionan con la sostenibilidad. ?Qué principios son más importantes para ti y cómo puedes vivirlos más plenamente en tu día a día?

Vivir y trabajar de manera coherente con las creencias y compromisos de uno mismo con la sostenibilidad es una actitud que sin duda puede marcar la diferencia ya que demuestra autenticidad al practicar la sostenibilidad en la vida diaria; evitando mostrarnos como actores interpretando un papel en la oficina sin tratar de aplicarlo en nuestra vida personal. Reducir nuestro impacto y huella ambiental o apoyar causas sociales refleja coherencia con un trabajo asociado a Sostenibilidad. Ser un ejemplo vivo de los valores de uno mismo nos permite fortalecer nuestra credibilidad, pudiendo convertirnos en un trabajador y ciudadano comprometido y genuino. Debemos ser transparentes y coherentes, no actores portando máscaras en nuestro trabajo.

La sostenibilidad requiere un enfoque colectivo y la participación de diversas partes interesadas. Debemos trabajar nuestras habilidades de trabajo en equipo y networking, aprovechar las redes profesionales para crear nuevas conexiones y apoyar a otros en su camino hacia la sostenibilidad. Ser un colaborador activo nos permitirá construir relaciones sólidas y contribuir de manera significativa al avance de la sostenibilidad. Recientemente hablaba de las aptitudes verdes en un post y sin duda la comunicación y colaboración activa es la base de un avance colectivo positivo.

Networking and collaboration are indeed vital in sustainability. To enhance these efforts, leveraging IT can play a significant role. Digital platforms facilitate global connections, allowing you to collaborate with experts and stakeholders across different regions. Tools like project management software enable seamless teamwork, tracking progress, and ensuring transparency. Moreover, using online forums and social media can expand your network, engaging with like-minded individuals and organizations. Virtual collaboration tools, such as video conferencing and shared digital workspaces, can foster continuous communication and collective problem-solving, driving sustainability initiatives forward effectively.

“Learn & Teach.” The only way to stand out as a professional. Sustainability or any other field. Finally it’s about the value u bring to the table. It’s not about networking or PR. The higher the value the more people like to speak / consult to u. That way u will stand out. Of course reading networking presenting are a part of the job. But if u are the smartest person and being no value it’s all a waste.

1. It's value creation and dispersion for me. People will always give their attention to whomever provides them the value they sort for. Another is how you disperse the value, be accessible either as an internal professional or external consultant. I remember how we tried severally to reach a company for the service of installing a decanter. Although they had the value proposition but they were not reachable. Could be caused by poor administrative skills at handling clients and stakeholders. The 3rd is trust. Irrespective of your savvy skills or competence level, you must be trust worthy. No one wants to loose resources & time to a professional or enterprise who couldn't provide the value for which they were paid for.

Know Your boundaries. Sustainability is a multidimentional specialty that requires strong technical competence. For some, speciality maybe in emission accounting, while for others it may be LCA, supply chain sustainability, communication or waste management. Build your competence in areas that captures your interest. Never assume what you don't know. I was once reached by a company on LinkedIn to help with emission accounting using MAED & WASP. I had never used those toolkits & i was open about it; I didn't act like I could do it, instead I located an experienced professional in my network to implement. My point: upskilled in areas that interest you & ensure you belong to a network that enhance your visibility. This way you can impact.

Para destacar como profesional de la sostenibilidad, es crucial demostrar un compromiso firme con la causa ambiental y social. Se deben adquirir habilidades técnicas en áreas como evaluación de impacto ambiental, economía circular y mejora continua. Es importante mantenerse actualizado sobre las tendencias y regulaciones en sostenibilidad. Se debe cultivar una red de contactos en el campo y buscar oportunidades para liderar proyectos sostenibles, promoviendo la innovación y el cambio positivo en organizaciones y comunidades. Además, la capacidad para comunicar de manera efectiva los beneficios económicos, ambientales y sociales de las prácticas sostenibles es fundamental para influir en la toma de decisiones y generar un impacto positivo.

Creo que uno de los aspectos esenciales es la formación continua. El mercado y las demandas cambian rápidamente. Esto se debe principalmente debido a los cambios en la legislación, por lo que debemos estar pendientes de la legislación a nivel nacional y europeo.