Could You Be The Next Chief Sustainability Officer?

The time when a CSO position was understood to be that of the Chief Security Officer is past us. Increasingly, as issues related to sustainability move from the periphery to the core as a strategic priority, and one where large corporations are trying to outdo each other in taking a visible, forward-looking stance, the Chief Sustainability Officer has become the new CSO.

Power and Energy – taking pole position

Long held responsible for the emissions and production practices believed to be irrevocably influencing the climate around the world, the CSO position has become an essential part of the senior leadership team in the Power and Energy industry. Apart from acting as a lightning rod and drawing criticism away from the business teams, letting them do their job, the CSO is hunkering down and finding not only responses, but solutions to the festering issues, whether it is ESG performance or carbon footprint reduction mandates.

The human need for power is not reducing anytime soon. If anything, it is increasing. At the same time, in a double whammy, the pressure to reduce the carbon footprint is also ratcheting up. It is no longer a smoke-and-mirrors game; it is real hard work. It requires serious reflection for transforming operations and ushering in a better future.

How CSOs contribute

While the work will be done by many different teams in the company, the position that will bind them all together is the CSO, while ensuring an in-control face top the external world, and those baying for the blood of the industry.

In the Power and Energy industry, a CSO, among several other responsibilities, needs to:

• Navigate and map regulatory requirements across the regions where the company has a footprint or its operations could result in a footprint
• Facilitate the evolution of measurable goals and targets for the company that are understood at all levels and hence can be woven into the performance framework in a transparent manner
• Give voice to ESG and climate primacy at the highest decision-making levels in the company, and ensure that it is a part of the business strategy
• Be the face of the company to the external world, for all climate and ESG-related issues, and engage with various stakeholder communities
• Ensure operational focus on innovation in renewable technologies and infrastructure, and be present as a stakeholder

In February 2024, an EY article stated, “The role of the CSO has expanded to include handling ESG matters. In doing so, CSOs are observing the widespread integration of sustainability within all aspects of business: products and services, clients and the business partners ecosystem, wider communities, HR and talents, internal governance and daily functioning…and must identify the most effective strategies to facilitate broad organizational changes.”

What will make a great Power and Energy CSO?

What does it take for one person to be able to do all of the above, and more?

Academic qualification

Standardized sustainability-related academic programmes are not common, and perhaps not even required, as this role is more of a general management role. Hence, a business-related academic qualification such as an MBA should be considered suitable for a CSO role, with additional certifications such as Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) or Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) from the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Experience

Experience in leadership roles in other functions that require interacting with external stakeholders and managing internal teams should be considered useful. Additionally, hands-on work in CSR or the sustainability function that would impart an appreciation of the environment and sustainability best practices would be useful.

Other traits, experience and qualifications:

• Innovation and the ability to think outside the box
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Strong research and problem-solving skills, including gathering data and leveraging it
• Competence with technology and the ability to leverage technology for the best results, eg, Generative AI
• Experience in Change Management and understanding of other functions in the company
• Interest in staying abreast of developments  in sustainability at the global level

Of course, this is a generalization. Each corporation operates in a unique space, and has to deal with situations, challenges and opportunities that are unique to it. Hence, the CSO role itself could look very different from one company to another.

Ushankk – contributing to sustainability leadership

If your organization is ready to transition to a sustainable future, Ushankk can support you in finding the leaders who will take you there.

With our growing association with leaders in the Power and Energy industry, we are privy to the growing demand for CSOs and other leaders in sustainability. Even before we find the right people, we help many companies in defining their requirements, keeping their unique positioning in mind.

As a jobseeker, you can join our database and stay abreast of developments in the space.