The Role and Importance of Chief Sustainability Officers

Modern consumers have different concerns than their predecessors, and when it comes to sustainability, they are more invested than ever before. The “green” revolution has dramatically changed how we approach producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services. Every major company, organization, and institution in the world now seeks to implement as many environmentally friendly practices as possible.

Not only does this initiative attract a broader range of consumers, but it is often rewarded by government incentives and contributes to public wellbeing. However, many countries have gone even further by adopting stricter sustainability regulations for businesses operating within their borders. It has become increasingly important that companies remain aware of the sustainability movement and join in.

The potential for any given role within a company depends largely on its scale. Of course, larger companies have more employees and a broader range of positions to fill. For global companies, different countries will have different regulations and incentives available for sustainability initiatives. In terms of sustainability, medium to large companies tend to benefit the most from CSOs by being hands-on and having influence over every stage of a company’s operations.

Chief Sustainability Officers function on every level, from communicating directly with customers to sourcing raw materials. They act as the primary orchestrator and overseer of sustainability practices and are responsible for three main things: sustainability compliance, optimization, and communication strategies.

Compliance with existing environmental regulations is a significant concern for companies. If they do not adhere to basic regulations, they may face fines, criminal charges, or even a complete halting of business operations. Each offense level offers financial penalties and lasting public stigmatization, both of which may be detrimental to a company. A CSO works to prevent these issues by being aware of existing and upcoming sustainability regulations and ensuring all their colleagues have access to the same information. They then work alongside their team to help plan implementation strategies that will be feasible, efficient, cost-effective, and compliant.

Aside from compliance, CSOs are also responsible for optimizing a company’s sustainability practices beyond their basic regulatory demands. Thus, ensuring the company remains ahead of the curve and above board with ever-changing regulations. This can be in the form of new technologies, packaging innovations, or collaborations with Nonprofits that can, in turn, become marketing campaigns that boost the brand image while improving the Planet.

This is perhaps the most important aspect of a CSO’s role, especially in larger companies. They act as the primary communicators of sustainability practices between departments. For example, they may work with the marketing team to ensure customers are made aware of the sustainability initiatives undertaken on the manufacturing end or inform management of an upcoming regulation that may impact their production team. Ultimately, they ensure each level of the organization is connected and remains on the same mission.

Communication is essential to each company. It ensures that every team member understands the principles, motivation, and mission of their workplace. However, modern communication strategies are a new phenomenon in many industries, as employees of the past often acted with limited information about their employers. This is a detriment to both efficiency and employee morale.

CSOs are only a small part of the communication revolution of recent decades. On top of monitoring sustainable initiatives on the company’s behalf, they also ensure that all team members access a workplace that is adhered to all current safety and environmentally friendly regulations. From office workers using sustainable supplies to manufacturers using sustainable chemicals, CSOs form an internal network dedicated to improving the wellbeing of everyone and the Planet.

CSOs are responsible for creating compliant and efficient sustainable solutions.

CSOs are essential for ensuring employee, and public, wellbeing.

CSOs form the core of sustainability communications and awareness within and outside of the company.