Upskill & reskill for impact - #3

This newsletter gathers insights, tips & tricks on how you can successfully make your transition toward a sustainability career.?

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Career Tips

Identify and improve your green business skills with the help of accomplished sustainability professionals

Next events that are available in 2 formats: event by event OR with the 6-month Sustainability Career Lab pass for those who are determined to transform their career into a green one:

1. FREE Taster from the Sustainability Career Lab programme: Exclusive Community UnMeetup - Entrepreneurship as a way to save fashionWe gather visionary minds who are driving change and revolutionizing the fashion industry through sustainable entrepreneurship. Join the change-makers, Karin Gutzwiller-Schreier , Kaspar Schlaeppi , Shéhérazade LESUEUR and Ben Kiss , at 12:00 on 17th October, online.?Normally this session is available only with the 6-month pass, but now we offer it as a FREE TASTER of the programme. Register here: https://fructify-network.mylearnworlds.com/form/comm-unmeetup-taster-reg-17-oct-fashion-entrepreneurs?
2. What is Sustainability Reporting really about??Join Marco Buscemi , Marketing Communications & Sustainability Expert, at 09:30 on 24th Oct online, and discover why business sustainability is so connected with the “reporting” activity. At his masterclass, you will gain practical insights on how you can improve your reporting skills. Buy your ticket here:?https://fructify-network.mylearnworlds.com/course/masterclass-sustainability-reporting

How do you build credibility in the field of sustainability?

"The paradox is that if you want to go into a new space, by definition you don`t have credibility in that new space. " said one of our guests in the Sustainability Career Lab programme.?

If you are new to a field, it is indeed challenging to build up a portfolio.?Here are some tips to start with:?

?? Find personal connections (not specifically professional ones) to get into the market. Start small: do volunteering. Get a formal education degree to buy yourself into the area but keep in mind that i.e. in Switzerland there is a degree inflation. - Niels Rot

??Write about the topic you are interested in, look for ways to leverage your current skills and experience. - Trista Bridges

??Credibility is based on building so start with projects. Find an extra education that helps you feel confident. - Renée LaPlante

??Make yourself visible, trustworthy, learn by doing - jump on it. - Karina Mereuta

Around the world, only one in eight workers has one or more green skills in the financial sector. The situation is similar in other sectors too (i.e. procurement, operations). According to the Global Green Skills Report 2023 by LinkedIn, while overall hiring slowed globally between February 2022 and February 2023, job postings requiring at least one green skill have grown by a median of 15.2% over the same period.

And adding to the equation: "You can be a sustainability champion in any profession." - emphasized Karime Abib , one of our Knowledge Partners.

Just simply:

?? Think about what you are good at, then build on it.

?? Be strategic about what you do.

?? Find the things that give you energy. Find your genius zone.

?? Sustainability is a transformation, a change, and anything that help you to transform and change is a useful skill set.

?? Sustainability is a fast moving market so anything you are passionate about, you can bring to the table.

Sounds easy right?!

You could ask: ‘Ok but how to start the sustainability career journey??

According to one of our guests in the Career Lab, Gaudenz Biveroni - Sustainability Recruiter, an impact career has 3 stages. Listen to his tips on where to start:

Knowledge Nuggets

Why should businesses care about sustainability issues like #climatechange, income inequality, #biodiversityloss, and #humanrights?

The Moral Case vs. the Business Case for #sustainability

Some argue it's a moral duty, while others highlight the business benefits and risks. Let's review three strategic elements (brand and reputation, business models, stranded assets) and three operational elements (prices and regulation, operational disruption, productivity and engagement) of the business case for sustainability:

1. Brand & Reputation: A damaged reputation can be costly, but a sustainable brand can build customer goodwill and loyalty.
2. Business Models: Adapting to cleaner alternatives can create new markets and value propositions. Think electric vehicles and software sales.
3. Stranded Assets: Climate-related risks can lead to the devaluation of assets, a concern for businesses.
4. Prices & Regulation: Regulations on sustainability can drive innovation and save costs in resource efficiency.
5. Operational Disruption: Sustainability practices reduce vulnerability to disruptions caused by socio-economic or political crises.
6. Productivity & Engagement: Sustainable companies attract and retain talent, boosting motivation and loyalty.

?? And the hidden time dimension: namely by when a company expects to see business benefits from investing in sustainability. Although there are often quick wins (like savings from #ecoefficiency), most research suggests that returns on sustainability investments are strongest in the medium to long term.

"At its heart, sustainability is an agenda for change, which requires many skills, including the ability to persuasively articulate the business case for sustainability. And like all skills, to be most effective, this must be built on a solid foundation of knowledge." - Prof. Dr Wayne Visser, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Fashion against sustainability?

An industry with a powerful impact on our planet, let's delve into some eye-opening facts and figures:

?? Water Consumption: Did you know that it takes approximately 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton T-shirt? That's enough drinking water for one person for nearly three years! Sustainable fashion seeks to minimize this colossal water footprint.

?? Emissions Contribution: The fashion industry accounts for about 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Adopting sustainable practices can significantly reduce this environmental burden.

?? Waste Avalanche: Every year, the fashion industry generates about 92 million tons of textile waste. Embracing circular fashion, recycling, and upcycling can help us divert these textiles from landfills.

?? Dyeing Dilemma: Textile dyeing is one of the most polluting aspects of fashion. Traditional dyeing processes release harmful chemicals and consume vast amounts of water. Sustainable dyeing methods drastically cut down on both.

?? Eco-Friendly Fabrics: The rise of sustainable materials like Tencel, hemp, and recycled polyester offers eco-conscious consumers alternatives that reduce the industry's environmental impact.

?? Consumer Influence: As consumers, we have the power to drive change. Studies show that 75% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable fashion. Your choices can shape the industry's future.

?? Innovation & Collaboration: Fashion and technology are merging to create sustainable solutions, from 3D printing of garments to AI-driven supply chain optimization. Collaboration across industries is key.

We all hear this constantly: The fashion industry is one of the most polluting sectors in the world, second only to oil.

Slowly, but it is on a transformative journey towards sustainability with some great pioneers. Here is how.

One key aspect is the adoption of sustainable materials. Here are some sustainable materials making waves:

• Recycled Polyester: Made from post-consumer plastic bottles, recycled polyester reduces plastic waste and lowers the carbon footprint.
• Pi?atex: Derived from pineapple leaf fibers, Pi?atex offers a stylish, cruelty-free alternative to leather while supporting rural communities.
• Econyl: Econyl is regenerated nylon created from discarded fishing nets and industrial waste, reducing ocean pollution and resource consumption.
• Mushroom Leather (Mycelium): A biodegradable alternative to leather, mycelium-based materials are grown from fungi.
• Bamboo Fabric: Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource, and its fibers produce soft, breathable, and sustainable fabrics.

If you want to hear change-makers sharing their stories, then don't forget to register for the next Community Unmeetup with pioneers in the fashion industry!

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