Reflets Magazine #152 | How Sustainability Transforms All Professions

Reflets Mag #152 publishes a summary of a survey led by ESSEC, the consultancy firm Bartle and the recruitment agency Birdeo on the integration of sustainability in jobs and training within major companies. The response from the 200 professionals surveyed is crystal clear: sustainability has become a must. Here is a free online translation of an excerpt of the article… subscribe to get the next issues (in French)  

The study details current trends, puts forward strategic recommendations per sector and present five key observations.

Company governance is adopting sustainability

The survey reveals that 90% of respondents, in positions other than CSR management, believe sustainability is a relevant issue. This change in attitude is marked by a sharp rise in the integration of sustainability at the core of company activities, reflected in governance and with increased representation of CSR in decision-making bodies. In particular, one third of CSR managers sit on their company’s executive or administrative board, and 75% are involved in a governing body.

Climate and resource management is a priority

Climate (77%) and natural resource use (76%) are priority issues for professionals. This demonstrates a merging of environmental and economic concerns, intensified by the recent health, geopolitical and energy crises which question the abundance model and call for eco-responsible sobriety.

Strengthening skills through peer learning

The survey shows that 75% of respondents self-train, through reading, conferences, or MOOCs. However, peer learning is growing in popularity, quoted by 35% of respondents. It fosters experience sharing and the development of sustainability skills in various sectors, including green supply chain, positive innovation and sustainable finance.

The key role of CSR and HR in sustainable skills development

50% of respondents say they received support from HR to train in sustainability issues. HR, in association with CSR, must now lead the development of sustainable skills, by defining a targeted training and recruitment strategy.

Sustainability, the key to company resilience

In the face of climate issues, biodiversity, social justice and regulatory pressure, sustainability has become vital to company resilience. It forces companies to reinvent their activities and integrate sustainability as a strategic driver.

Conclusion

Caroline Renoux (EXEC M10), founder of Birdeo, points out that the development and growing complexity of sustainability concerns require driving forces within companies and advocating strategies for training and in-house mobility. 

Louis Raynaud de Lage (E14) from Bartle agrees: ‘Sustainability has become an essential aspect for all the professions that make up a company, and in all business sectors. This is a major paradigm shift with serious repercussions for the way a company must develop its expertise.’  

Lastly, Emmanuelle Le Nagard, Dean of the Grande École, confirms that  ‘given the rapid evolution of the various professions within organisations, developing new skills is imperative in order to integrate essential environmental and social aspects. Training stakeholders, in higher education, initial training or lifelong learning, must therefore adapt and develop content to provide present and future employees with sustainability-related skills. ESSEC has made the move to incorporate these subjects in all its training programmes.’ 

Translation of an excerpt of an article published in Reflets Magazine #152. Get the next issues (in French)  

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