ClimateVoices Featuring Michelle Benavides

In this issue, I’m excited to be interviewing Michelle Benavides , SEA, LEED AP BD+C, M.Ed., an international nonprofit executive director with a passion for sustainability. Currently guiding the growth and impact of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) (ISSP), she leads the organization’s mission to empower sustainability professionals across the workforce and around the world.?

A sought-after educator, Michelle is an international speaker and has trained thousands of professionals worldwide. Previously, Michelle founded L.E. Rigby Innovations, served as a U.S. Green Building Council faculty member, and earned recognition with the Global 50 Women In Sustainability Award for 2023 from The SustainabilityX? Magazine . To create the future envisioned by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Michelle is committed to fostering collective action and accelerating the impact of professionals across the industry, because we truly are better together.

Many companies are taking meaningful action on climate change, in their operations, supply chains, and products. Yet in spite of the great work of many professionals and companies, global emissions continue to rise. How do you think ISSP can help close this gap between individual corporate action and the rapid systemic change we need?

When it comes to climate action, I always say, “don’t reinvent the wheel”. There are incredible professionals and companies leading the way, but too often, we start alone at ground zero. To close the gap between individual corporate action and systemic change, you need to find your support system. Find community. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when facing enormous system change alone.?

That’s why ISSP exists – to empower sustainability professionals across the workforce and around the world. We all need to know someone who is a few steps ahead. At ISSP, we share community, tools, and training for both individuals and organizations, so they can meet their sustainability goals. It’s also important that everyone is trained in sustainability, not just the sustainability department or Chief Sustainability Officer.?

Making systemic change is much easier when the team understands common goals and can communicate in a shared language of sustainability. ISSP welcomes the full team to find training and support through our organizational membership. Once a team understands sustainability basics and experiences the momentum within the ISSP community, they are excited to make a difference in their workplace as well.

Earlier this year, you signed the LEAD Statement, joining over 1,000 sustainability professionals dedicated to climate policy advocacy. Why did you personally choose to sign??

The LEAD Statement aligned with my belief that business should be a force for good. Systemic change requires a support system and knowledge-sharing across the workforce. We can’t wait for government to take the lead; companies must take an active role in climate action and policy change. I was proud to join my name alongside hundreds of sustainability professionals who are making a difference in their communities and organizations.

Corporate greenwashing is a major obstacle, often creating the appearance of much faster progress than is actually occurring. How can sustainability professionals avoid that pitfall and effectively use their influence to back policy action at the speed and scale required to meet our global goals and avert the worst outcomes??

Greenwashing undermines authentic progress. As sustainability professionals, we have a responsibility to watch for this activity in our own organizations and sectors. There is enormous pressure to produce results quickly, but true change takes time. To truly implement and influence change, sustainability professionals must learn how to embed sustainability into the fabric of their company instead of layering it on top. This is no easy task – it requires skillful stakeholder engagement and a deep knowledge of reporting standards for transparency.

To learn these skills, I challenge every sustainability professional to connect with others in the field, whether that’s through ISSP or another group. “You don’t know what you don’t know” is particularly true in sustainability work. By joining expert communities, we will be shaped and guided by best practices and not our own aspirations.

In Big Tech, they call me a “shit stirrer” – and I love that nickname. What’s your moniker??

Inspired by the work of climate leader and activist Christiana Figueres , I consider myself a “stubborn optimist”. We cannot escape discouraging data or ignore the constant pushback that is part of the sustainability profession. Thankfully, as part of ISSP, I get to see the best of this profession as well. New energetic professionals are joining us every day, and I am stubbornly optimistic that these people will cause a ripple effect around the world and across the workforce.

Keep up with ClimateVoices – an online Q&A penned by leading climate thinkers and doers. Follow ClimateVoice to stay in the loop when additional interviews are published monthly.

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The opinions and views expressed in this interview are solely those of the individual(s) being interviewed. They may not reflect the views, policies, or positions of ClimateVoice, the employer(s) of the individual(s) being interviewed, nor of any other organizations with which the individual(s) being interviewed are affiliated. This interview is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or official statement on behalf of such employer(s) or organization(s).