By Isabel Castillo, Co-Director of the Sustainability Leaders Program
What does a sustainability director do? Can sustainability really be applied in business?
I have been hearing this question for many years, at first from a mixture of skepticism and ignorance and now, from overexposure, but also ignorance.
Being sustainable is neither do-goodism nor voluntarism.
For a company to be responsible and sustainable, it is not a process that is alien to the company, but it is not automatic either.
It requires specialized support from professionals who are experts in the field, internal or external to the organization, who know the basic principles of sustainability, without a doubt, but who are also up to date with the legislative whirlwind on the subject that helps to draw up a clear roadmap for companies in their commitment to sustainability that translates into measurable objectives, concrete actions and performance and communication indicators.
In short, it is about establishing a sustainability strategy that will require in-depth knowledge of such diverse topics as the fight against climate change, the management of diversity in organizations, taxonomy and the preparation of corporate information reports on sustainability, yes, those that were previously called Non-Financial Information Statements but which the regulator has considered that, as it turns out, they also impact finance, that third dimension of sustainability that, together with the social and environmental, cannot be missing.
Sustainability is here to stay. We need the sustainability directors of the future, the technicians of the present, and marketing and communication professionals who know how to effectively communicate the commitments and progress of companies in sustainability. Companies need financial experts who manage non-financial data, lawyers who interpret the endless legislation that has already been approved on the subject - and what is yet to come -, human resources departments that incorporate equality and diversity into their operations as a strategic commitment of the organisations, and those responsible for purchasing and customer relations who know how to incorporate sustainability criteria into their value chain.
In short, we need to train sustainability professionals to respond to the current needs of organizations.
It is not an option for the future, it is a necessity for the present.
On October 25th the season starts First edition of the Leaders in Sustainability program, a Diploma of Specialization in Sustainability and Social Responsibility, in online format and with a week of in-person (and networking) time in Valencia.
It is a comprehensive and flexible program, aimed at professionals who, like you, need practical training in sustainability.
- So practical that you can respond to the challenges that arise in your company.
- You will learn the tools necessary to prepare a sustainability report.
- You will be able to start a strategic plan in sustainability and measure and evaluate the different actions with clients, suppliers and financial markets.
If you want more information about this program for Leaders in Sustainability, which I co-direct with a great team of professionals, directors and teachers, click here.
