How to differentiate yourself as a sustainability professional: Balancing between technical and soft skills

In our previous articles we wrote about the growing number of corporate roles both in volume and the types of roles within sustainability. Given the different variations, it is not surprising that a broad mixture of knowledge, skills and experience is needed to succeed in these roles.

Technical skills continue to form the backbone of a successful sustainability career

Proficiency in data analysis is crucial, as it enables professionals to interpret environmental data, assess project impacts, and make informed decisions. A sustainability professional would be expected to possess basic data skills such as the ability to collect, analyse and report data is key, especially over an extended period of time (i.e. to track progress), as well analysing the effect on the various parts of a company’s operations.

A solid foundation in environmental science is also essential, providing the necessary knowledge to understand ecological systems and sustainable practices. Additionally, skills in geographic information systems (GIS) and renewable energy technologies are increasingly valuable, given their growing relevance in sustainability projects.

Beyond technical knowledge

However, to differentiate yourself, we posit that it is critical that you blend technical expertise with essential soft skills. Given the nascent sustainability industry, we cannot overemphasize the importance to be able to educate, empower and equip people across the business to own the sustainability agenda. These soft skills help facilitate collaboration and effective communication.

1. Leadership

With many organisations only just starting their corporate sustainability journey, the ability for its leaders (across all levels) to provide a unified and inspirational vision will likely mean the difference between success and failure. Good leadership sparks culture change, create internal movements and build consensus among people who don’t usually agree with each other.

A good leader provides an environment that encourages innovativeness and out-of-the-box creative problem-solving that is so critical to address environmental and sustainability issues.

2. Communication and collaboration

Strong communication and collaboration skills are vital for advocating sustainability initiatives, educating stakeholders, and negotiating with diverse groups. Some liken this to salesmanship, and we are inclined to agree. To nudge and persuade various teams with diverse levels of interest and knowledge on sustainability, a successful sustainability professional will need to learn how to listen and communicate with impact, utilising different methods to reach out to different stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation.

3. Project management

Project management is another key skill, as sustainability projects often involve coordinating multiple aspects, from planning and budgeting to implementation and evaluation. Typically, rolling out sustainable projects and initiatives straddles multiple financial periods and depending on the complexity of the organisation, might involve teams that span multiple geographies. An experienced project manager who is organised, great at delegation and holding people accountable, and managing stakeholders will be invaluable to any sustainability team.

Multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills - including Artificial Intelligence

The ability to blend interdisciplinary knowledge is particularly important in sustainability, as the field intersects with economics, technology, policy, and social sciences. Professionals who can integrate insights from these varied disciplines are better equipped to develop holistic solutions that balance environmental, economic, and social considerations. This interdisciplinary approach fosters innovation and allows for more comprehensive strategies to address sustainability challenges.

One of the emerging fields of knowledge is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sustainability. AI is being used currently in initiatives as basic as automating expenses analysis and emission calculation, to optimising energy efficiency gains and predicting extreme weather patterns for energy/resource allocation. According to the latest PwC 2024 State of Climate Tech report, start-ups working on AI-related technology accounted for 7.5% of all climate tech investment, amounting to US$5 billion in 2023. In just the first three quarters of 2024, they raised US$6 billion, or 14.6% of the climate tech total. It is safe to say that someone who is well versed in AI and sustainability will be a rare unicorn, especially in the short term.

In summary, a career in sustainability demands a combination of technical and soft skills, along with the ability to draw upon interdisciplinary knowledge. As the need for sustainable solutions continues to grow, professionals equipped with these skills will be well-positioned to drive meaningful change and contribute to a more sustainable future.

---

This is the third in an ongoing series published by The Second Class Collective on sustainability careers in Australia. Please see the following for our first two articles:

• Careers in sustainability - What they are and why there is an increase in demand

• The Diversity in Pathways Towards a Sustainability Career in Australia

If this is something that interest you, please follow our LinkedIn page to be updated on when the next article is published, or if you have any questions please leave a comment below. Alternatively, reach out via message if you want to get in touch.