Sustainability and me. (Part 1)

"You don't even know how high a dam should be!".?

That’s what someone said to me (with disdain) when I was appointed Global Head of Environmental and Social Risk Management (“ESRM”) in 2017.?They were right. Up until then I had had zero to minimal experience of dealing with environmental and social risks as part of my career.?

I was lucky, I know that, and barely a day goes by when I’m not asked "how did you get into sustainability”?, “what skills are required?”, "how can I do what you do”??

?I’ve reflected on this a lot recently and set out what I believe are three of the main attributes to succeed and to have a credible career in sustainability,?no matter what stage of the journey you’re at.

?Humility. You don’t know what you don’t know.?And even if you think you know something you don’t know enough.?We’re inundated with corporate marketing on being the first, the best, the biggest and individuals who just add “ESG” into their business title because its fashionable.?This is all rather unhelpful unless it translates into real and sustained action.?A little less hubris and a lot more humility is required no matter what stage of your career you’re at.

Curiosity. I’ve barely scratched the surface in 5 years.?I know where the risk appetite line on client and transaction choices needs to be drawn for my job but to be a sustainability expert is a lifelong commitment.?Keeping up to date with the sea of reports, opinions, evolving science, etc,?requires commitment and a curious mind.

Empathy. There are different points of view, different experiences, different career paths.?Having a dogmatic approach does not advance the agenda yet compromise can be frustrating.?But, if we don’t all work together and direct our collective curiosity to solving our planet’s problems we’re all impacted.?In this race no one wins unless everyone wins.

There’s nothing new here and these attributes can probably be applied across many roles.?Sustainability is continuing to have its moment and attracting the resources?- both financial and intellectual – at a phenomenal pace.?So whether you’re an experienced hand or newcomer to this agenda please remain humble, remain curious and above all show empathy.?

And as for that dam…the answer is “it depends”.