Empowering Future Sustainability Leaders
Sustainability Leadership
Creating Real Change
The world is shifting towards a greener economy, and professionals with sustainability knowledge are in high demand. Sustainability leaders play a crucial role in helping businesses become more environmentally responsible, socially engaged, and economically strong.
Organisations need leaders who can connect different skills and areas of expertise to make sustainability happen in real life.
“Ours is the first generation to properly understand the and probably the last with the chance to do something transformative about it.”
Kate Raworth, Doughnut Economics
SEE THE BIG PICTURE
How Does This Work?
Check out how Behive workshops use the Doughnut Economics method to turn sustainability into action.
The New Mindset, Thinking Holistically
Old business models focused only on making money for investors. But the most successful companies today think bigger—they consider people, the planet, and long-term success. Modern businesses use:
✅ Stakeholder thinking (caring about employees, customers, and communities, not just profit)
✅ Circular economy strategies (reusing and reducing waste instead of throwing things away)
✅ Long-term sustainability goals (complying with new regulations and staying competitive)
Holistic thinking involves appreciating how the parts of a system interact to influence the whole. For sustainability leaders, this means understanding the interdependency of natural, social, and economic factors.
Ask Yourself
How can you bring sustainability into your workplace?
Think of it
What are the most important topics to your company?
Visual Guide to Key Topics
Sustainability
Environmental
• Climate change/carbon emissions
• Land use/ecological sensitivity
• Water/air pollution
• Biodiversity/deforestation
• Waste recycling and reuse
• Energy efficiency
• Access to clean drinking water
Social
• Diversity, equality and inclusion
• Employee management
• Human rights and modern slavery
• Customer satisfaction
• Health, safety and wellbeing
• Community engagement
• Engagement with Indigenous peoples
• Income creation and distribution
Governance
• Governance purpose
• Board composition
• Ethical behaviours
• Digital security
• Data protection/privacy
• Bribery and corruption
• Risk and opportunity oversight
• Executive remuneration and compensation
Be curious!
If sustainability isn’t a focus where you work, YOU can start the conversation!
Be curious and ask questions!
Ask, Learn, Lead!
Simple Step: Review your company’s mission and values. Where does
sustainability fit in? Discuss it with your team!
Questions to Start the Conversation
✅ What sustainability efforts are already in place at work?
✅ Do we have specific goals to reduce carbon emissions?
✅ Are there training programs about sustainability I can join?
✅ What can we do right now to reduce waste and improve efficiency?
Pressure grows, but organisations are unprepared
A large majority of CFOs (78%) are feeling pressure from at least three different stakeholders to take more action on sustainability issues (see figure below).
The urgency around sustainability is clear across stakeholder groups.
Source: Accenture ESG Measurement and Management Study, 2023; N = 730
Take action
What Can You Do?
✍
Grab a notebook and write down one sustainability action your workplace could start today.
🔎
Find Opportunities
Research what’s already happening and look for gaps.
⬆
Set Clear Goals
What’s one thing you can improve?
🚮
Take Small Steps
Even little changes, like reducing plastic use, can create a bigger movement.
Why Sustainability Leadership Matters for Your Career
The Benefits
📉 Save costs by using resources more efficiently.
💚 Build customer trust—people prefer responsible brands.
🙌 Increase employee satisfaction—teams feel proud of meaningful work.
📈 Avoid penalties from non-compliance with regulations.
🚀 Attract funding & job opportunities—green businesses get government incentives.
Challenge Yourself
✅ Ask your manager or teacher about sustainability efforts.
✅ Look into how waste and energy use is tracked at your workplace.
✅ Join (or start) a sustainability project at your workplace.
Sustainability isn’t just about protecting the planet—it’s also a competitive advantage in business.
Question
Does your organisation feel pressure from the following stakeholders to act on relevant sustainability issues? (% CFOs)
Your challenge
Ask one of these questions at work this week. Observe the response. Spark the conversation. And keep the flywheel moving!
Lead by example
Even starting a recycling program, measuring sustainability initiatives already in place, or encouraging reusable coffee cups and water bottles instead of disposable ones can lead to long-term change.
Start Today
Lead the Change
Checklist for Action
✅ Identify key sustainability initiatives you can lead.
✅ Propose small, simple improvements for your team or school.
✅ Create an action plan with steps to reach your goals.
✅ Track your progress and share it with others.
Implementation Steps
❔ Have you created a roadmap with actionable steps for achieving your sustainability goals?
❔ Have you allocated responsibilities and set timelines for your team?
❔ Have you identified measurable outcomes to track progress?
BE BOLD, YOU ARE A LEADER!
Sustainability leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’sabout being curious, starting conversations, and inspiring action.
Stay informed, make a difference!
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