Hey Gen Z! Make some noise for ESG roles in big corporations!

Gen Zers are trying to make their voices heard, but are Boomers and older Millennials listening? More importantly, are the big corporations listening to what the younger generations have to say?

We know by now that the younger generation is advocating for a more transparent, sustainable, and responsible corporate environment. The trend is gaining traction, but are enough big corporations heeding the call to action? Are they doing enough?

Judging by who’s in charge (we see you, Boomers) and their lack of succession planning in most sectors, I feel like the answer is a resounding no. How can we think otherwise when even our leadership is failing us? Trump vs Biden. Again. Really?

Still, I can’t bring myself to believe that all is lost. There is hope and room for change. And a lot of that change can come about by listening to the younger generations. Particularly when it comes to making their 90,000 working hours count. We just need to make the hours count in a way that is good for the workforce and the world.

Enter sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) roles. And I’m trying my best to use the term “sustainability” as responsibly as possible here because the term has been overused and used insincerely to the point that it has become synonymous with “greenwashing”. But I digress.

An increasing number of companies are realizing the advantages of integrating sustainability into their operations and are actively pursuing change, both socially and environmentally. The result? More opportunities for people looking for more impactful and fulfilling roles. More people want work that’s worth it!

These roles are mostly found in ESG departments and are the holy trinity of ensuring businesses and corporations can implement truly sustainable practices and strategies.

ESG roles often align with Gen Z’s work expectations, drawing in a force of young, keen, and able people who want to use their working hours for good and build fulfilling careers simultaneously. The people who take on these roles have a big job to do. They’re meant to encourage effective governance, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility, which checks three of Gen Z’s most important boxes. I’m not saying these roles are only for the younger generations, but let’s be honest: if they haven’t fixed it by now, it’s not a priority for older generations. That’s why they’re not being held accountable for their lack of action.

Professionals who take on these roles are taking on the responsibility of developing and executing strategies that will, among other things, support the sustainability objectives of the business or corporation. They also play a pivotal role in designing accountable strategies and keeping an eye on compliance with ESG standards meant to guide corporations toward more sustainable practices.

The jobs up for grabs can include anything from the oversight of full-cost and environmental accounting to optimizing supply chains or quantifying social return on investments. These jobs aim to create a more sustainable future and drive change for good. Worthwhile for you, and good for the planet.

I think Gen Z’s career expectations should inspire and guide corporate agendas. There is so much potential in sustainability and ESG roles. Think about it: C-suite executives and managers don’t necessarily have any formal training when it comes to sustainable business practices. This leaves a massive opportunity for younger generations to leverage their green expertise and advance their careers while driving change for good at the same time.

There is much room for improvement and a lot to do, but younger generations are ready to go. Corporations just need to catch up. Don’t get me wrong, there are companies already fighting the good fight, we just need more to follow suit.

If you’re keen to delve into the world of sustainability and ESG roles, here are some resources and information on trend-setting companies and organizations, great and small, that are already guiding the corporate world in the right direction.

Resources

Embedding Project

This initiative focuses on helping companies integrate sustainability into their operations by providing tools and resources for embedding sustainability practices into their business strategies. They work with organizations to develop practical solutions that align with environmental and social goals, aiming to drive positive impact and create value for businesses and society.

Pledge 1% Community

Pledge 1% is a movement encouraging companies to commit 1% of equity, product, profit, or employee time to charitable causes, aiming to promote corporate philanthropy and social responsibility.

Sustainable Brands

Sustainable Brands provides a platform for businesses to share knowledge, experiences, and innovative solutions for integrating sustainability into their strategies. They host conferences, workshops, and online resources to help companies create positive environmental and social impact.

B Lab

B Lab certifies B Corporations, which are businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. They provide tools and resources to help companies assess and improve their impact, similar to the Embedding Project’s focus on integrating sustainability into business operations.

Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization that advocates for sustainability leadership by mobilizing investors, companies, and policymakers to address climate change, water scarcity, and other sustainability challenges. They offer guidance and resources for companies to integrate sustainability into their business strategies and operations.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

GRI provides frameworks and standards for organizations to report their sustainability performance transparently and consistently. Like the Embedding Project, GRI helps companies measure and communicate their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts to stakeholders.

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