12 Pieces of Advice from Award-Winning Sustainability Execs
As Ray Charles once sang: "It's not easy being green."
Sustainability is difficult. It's like making all the cars on a busy morning commute turn around and change direction all at once. The transition to renewable energy, zero waste and carbon negativity will be fraught with missteps. After all, the status quo has been so contrary to our desired destination for so many years.
In the face of these challenges, one thing becomes clear: collaboration is key. No one person has the solutions to every sustainability problem, but together, we might find the solutions to lots of them.
In the spirit of teamwork, Sustainability Magazine asked each of the award winners at the Global Sustainability & ESG Awards for one piece of advice for executives around the world. One mantra, motto or maxim that can act as a Northern Star, keeping businesses on track in the pursuit of sustainability.
So, treat this article as a source of inspiration, delivered by experts in their fields, recognised for the fantastic work they are already doing to turn the dial.
1. Caryn-Ann Allen
Organisation: Geopost
Position: Associate Director of Sustainability
Award: Sustainability Strategy Award
Her sustainability advice: "Persevere. Show that it's strategic for business."
2. Rishi Jain
Organisation: Liverpool Football Club
Position: Head of Impact
Award: ESG Programme Award
His sustainability advice: "Buy into it."
3. Salah Said & Sara Davidson
Organisation: Klarna
Position: Head of Sustainability & ESG and Sustainability Marketing & Communications Lead
Award: Net Zero Award
Their sustainability advice: "Our advice? To do and not talk. Default to action."
4. Stephen Prior
Organisation: Forest Carbon
Position: Co-founder
Award: Sustainable Consultancy Award
His sustainability advice: "Just get on with it and do it!"
5. Jason Massey
Organisation: Ndustrial
Position: CEO
Award: AI in Sustainability Award
His sustainability advice: "Trust the data."
6. Samet Sarı
Organisation: EasyCep
Position: CMO
Award: Start-Up Award
His sustainability advice: "Money is important, but our children are much more important."
7. Rea Ryan
Organisation: Amazon
Position: Apprentice
Award: Project of the Year
Her sustainability advice: "Always think of your end customer and work backwards from that."
8. Anastasia Le
Organisation: Marble
Position: Sustainability Lead
Award: Future Leader Award
Her sustainability advice: "Think about the reason why you’re doing this and what drives you in your everyday life – that’s what matters most."
9. Ana Luiza Rodrigues
Organisation: Scala Data Centers
Position: Sustainability Manager
Award: Sustainable Finance Award
Her sustainability advice: "Remain committed."
10. Noel Anderson
Organisation: American Red Cross
Position: Chief Sustainability Officer
Award: Lifetime of Achievement Award
His sustainability advice: "Start with people and end with people. The only way we’re going to get this done is if we’re all on board."
11. Adam Balczer
Organisation: UKL Enterprise
Position: Sales Manager
Award: Sustainable Supply Chain Award & Social Enterprise Award
His sustainability advice: "Never stop trying."
12. Philip Martin
Organisation: DuPont Water Solutions
Position: Key Account Manager
Award: Sustainable Technology Award
His sustainability advice: "Innovation and sustainability shouldn’t be parallel parked. It’s the intersection of those two points that creates value and makes a global difference."
