What are the emerging sustainability trends that mid-career professionals need to know?

A economia circular busca eliminar resíduos e manter os recursos em uso pelo maior tempo possível. Isso é feito através do projeto de produtos e servi?os que possam ser reutilizados, reparados, reciclados ou regenerados. Como profissional em meio de carreira, você pode ajudar as empresas a adotar esses princípios circulares, promovendo a durabilidade, modelos de produto como servi?o e parcerias na cadeia de valor. Isso contribui para a redu??o do desperdício, a preserva??o dos recursos e a cria??o de novas oportunidades de receita.

From the Human Capital point of view pertaining to Green Skills, Mid-Career Professionals need to understand that Sustainability & ESG is not a separate scope by itself. In fact, Sustainability & ESG is something that is well integrated into the different industries as we see cases of such applied into Logistics, Manufacturing, Technology etc. More often than not, Mid-Career Professionals look at making a career switch into a sustainability position but overlook that upskilling themselves with Green Skills prior to contribute more effectively to their respective industries which they have years of expertise in is also crucial. Sustainability courses are easily available these days to equip Mid-Career Professionals with these skills.

The circular economy is reshaping sustainability, focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing resource use. For mid-career professionals, this trend offers a chance to apply their skills in designing durable products, embracing product-as-a-service models, and fostering partnerships that promote reuse and recycling. Engaging with this approach can drive cost savings, generate new revenue, and reduce environmental impact, positioning businesses at the forefront of sustainability.

Career development in the circular economy offers a range of opportunities across various sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable fashion, waste management, and green technology. Roles can include sustainability consultants, circular economy analysts, resource managers, eco-designers, recycling coordinators, and sustainable supply chain managers. Developing expertise in areas such as life cycle assessment, cradle-to-cradle design, and closed-loop systems can be beneficial for advancing in this field. Additionally, networking with professionals in sustainability-focused organizations and gaining practical experience through internships or projects can enhance career prospects in the circular economy.

The journey towards achieving a circular economy begins with rethinking a product’s lifecycle, from design to discardment. It’s important to design products for not only longevity but also reparability and recyclability. Implementing take-back or repair programs can help extend a product’s life beyond when it’s thrown away. A great example is Patagonia, which has intricately designed its product lifecycle to be sustainable from its Worn Wear and Common Threads program, to creating opportunities for clothing trade-ins, rental gear, and educational repair guides.

Social entrepreneurship is a powerful trend for mid-career professionals looking to make an impact. It combines innovation with business strategies to address social and environmental issues. Whether launching a social enterprise, consulting, mentoring, investing, or partnering, there's a role for every skill set. Embrace practices like human-centered design, social ROI measurement, and fostering diversity within teams. This approach not only drives positive change but also enriches your career with purpose and fulfillment.

Career development in social entrepreneurship involves a blend of traditional business skills with a strong focus on social impact. Here's a general path: - Networking: Build relationships with professionals in the social entrepreneurship space through networking events, conferences, and online communities. Connect with mentors who can offer guidance and support. - Develop a Unique Idea: Identify a social or environmental problem where there is self motivation and passion and develop a business idea to address it. Conduct thorough research and feasibility studies to ensure the idea is viable. - Start own Venture or Join an Existing One.

Green skills are becoming essential across all sectors, reflecting the growing emphasis on sustainability, environmental protection, and resource efficiency. For mid-career professionals, enhancing these skills opens up new opportunities. Consider pursuing courses, certifications, or workshops in renewable energy, carbon accounting, or sustainable development. Apply and showcase these skills in your workplace through initiatives like waste reduction, energy saving, and sustainability awareness. This not only boosts your career but also contributes to a more sustainable world.

Enhancing your green skills involves - - Advocacy and Engagement: Get involved in environmental advocacy campaigns, community projects, or grassroots initiatives to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices in local area or beyond. - Practical Experience: Look for internships, volunteer opportunities, or job placements in organizations or companies that focus on sustainability or environmental conservation. Hands-on experience can deepen understanding and skills. - Networking: Connect with professionals in the field, join green groups or networks, and participate in discussions or events related to sustainability. Networking can provide valuable insights, opportunities, and collaborations.

Understanding environmental impacts and resource efficiency is crucial in the workplace for making eco-friendly decisions and solutions. This skill can be developed through training and courses on environmental management and sustainable development. Additionally, staying informed about emerging environmental regulations and industry best practices is essential. Actively engaging in sustainability initiatives within the organization and seeking opportunities to apply green skills in daily tasks can further enhance proficiency in this area.

As a co-founder of a sustainability start-up, I am keenly aware of the importance of data and digital innovation. At Beaker, we have developed a discovery beta of ethical and environmental scores of apparel companies based on up-to-date data from an aggregation of sources. We are leveraging digital transformation to adopt high-impact data and analytics techniques. Check us out at join.beaker.com!

In my experience AI is playing a crucial role to accelerate the sustainability transition of the organization. First, it optimizes energy use and minimizes waste by analyzing how buildings, machinery, and various resources are used. AI also provides predictive maintenance, flagging potential equipment failures to address problems early – cutting downtime and resource waste. Supply chains benefit from AI analysis! AI spots inefficiencies and suggests smarter transportation, reduced packaging, and sustainable sourcing choices. AI even plays a role in product design, analyzing what materials and processes work from an eco-friendly perspective. Carbon footprints also shrink with AI.

Digital transformation is revolutionizing how businesses operate, enhancing efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. For mid-career professionals, diving into digital technologies like cloud computing, AI, blockchain, and IoT is crucial. These tools not only streamline operations but also offer powerful ways to improve sustainability performance—think data analytics for resource optimization or automation for cost-saving. Embracing digital transformation positions you at the intersection of tech and sustainability, driving forward both your career and environmental goals.

Never forget Digital World - probably will over take and get to the leader for carbon footprint. The datacenters we run, the storage we use and the all the applications and social media we use everything results in increasing carbon footprint and burning energy and natural resources. So it is very vital to thing from the bottom of it - Build more efficient softwares and applications. And run datacenters on on renewable energy sources.

Stakeholder engagement is key to building trust, reputation, and value, crucial for any sustainability initiative. For mid-career professionals, enhancing engagement skills means actively listening to stakeholders' needs and feedback, involving them in decision-making, and transparently reporting on sustainability impacts. This approach not only identifies risks and opportunities but also fosters collaboration and innovation. Improving stakeholder engagement practices can significantly contribute to your professional development and the success of sustainability efforts.

Systems thinking is a critical discipline for sustainability professionals in the 21st century. Last century everyone talked about specializing, but in order to be a systems thinker, you must be a generalist. See the big picture. I highly recommend Donella Meadows's book "Thinking in Systems" to learn more about this. Or if that's too big a mouthful to start out with, then her essay on "Leverage Points" is a good starter. That essay change my perspective on business entirely. If that got you curious, I can also recommend Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book "Antifragile - things that gain from disorder". That will you go you some edge for sure.

Systems thinking and sustainability are closely connected in the context of careers because sustainability challenges often require holistic, systemic approaches to address complex issues. Professionals in sustainability careers need to understand the interconnectedness of various systems, such as social, economic, and environmental systems, to develop effective solutions that promote long-term ecological balance and human well-being. Overall, systems thinking provides a valuable framework for understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges of sustainability, making it an essential skill set for professionals in this field.

Developing content can be an upcoming trend for professionals to consider. For instance, individuals in the climate change policy arena can establish their online presence, create content such as articles and infographics, and offer mentorship to aspiring professionals.

A key emerging sustainability trend that mid-career professionals need to know is the increasing influence of institutional investors, their focus and how this is shaping regulation. Unlike communities, customers and employees, investors are more concerned with the sustainability-related risks and opportunities and how they impact the business' financials. This means instead of looking at how the business operations affect key stakeholders and the environment, investors want to know what risks the business is exposed to from these factors and also what opportunities they afford. Although there is a link between the two perspectives, they are very different lenses and investors are increasing in influence and starting to drive regulation.

For mid-career professionals, staying abreast of emerging sustainability trends is essential for remaining relevant in today's rapidly evolving landscape. The introduction of new sustainability standards by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) marks a significant development. These standards aim to harmonize reporting requirements, providing a more consistent and transparent framework for assessing and communicating sustainability performance. Understanding and adopting these standards can help professionals navigate the evolving expectations of stakeholders, enhance corporate transparency, and mitigate risks associated with sustainability reporting.

Sustainability initiatives will impact the entire organisation over a period of time - data of which will be monitored, measured, reported and assured to various stakeholders during the year. Hence for Finance professionals, sustainability is a knowledge area which will be enhancing their roles in the coming years. All key decisions will culminate into financial numbers and impact the plan and budgets for an organisation. Hence the financial governance will play a key role in implementation of sustainability initiatives and reporting their impacts for a larger audience.

Natural Capital / Nature / Biodiversity - as people become more aware of the impacts of climate change, so they are beginning to understand the interconnected link between business resilience, climate risk and wider ESG well-being. For businesses, this translates into enhanced legislative requirements (e.g., TNFD) to incorporate nature-related impacts, increased demand for SME knowledge (e.g., scientists) and innovation across areas such as sustainable finance (e.g., debt for nature bonds). This all equates to a growing shift to focus on nature-positive business activities to improve performance and global environmental and social health - becoming an ever more essential element in achieving net zero.