ESG REC

Much of the delay is diaries not aligning, especially with multiple interviewers across levels and regions. Use diary tools to align people and cut stages.

Do you expect convergence between ESG roles and more tech-driven positions? We’ re already seeing demand for people who understand reporting frameworks and how to gather and represent information in the organisation. We’ ve had vacancies like that this year. The challenge is it’ s a niche skill set. You can find most items on a hiring checklist, but not always in the same person.

As AI becomes more prevalent and is used in ways we haven’ t considered, getting people who grasp it and also understand sustainability frameworks and how to translate them into practical outputs is hard. It will get easier as more people become familiar with AI, but many are still uncomfortable. Right now, a solid sustainability background and a solid AI background in one person is niche.

How should those entering the sustainability profession position themselves now? I’ d still say the ability to interact with humans trumps AI knowledge at the moment. If we’ re moving from measurement to action, the ability to effect change through human interaction has the edge.

Still, educate yourself. AI won’ t replace everyone, but it will make people more efficient.

If you can demonstrate empathy and human skills and that you know how to use AI to be more productive, you’ re the dream hire.

What would you say to those worried about AI taking over? Pandora’ s box is open. We all need to understand how AI can be used, and sustainability teams in particular need to use it effectively and efficiently because it’ s power-hungry and waterhungry. We can be role models in efficient use and teach others.

Will it get rid of you? I don’ t think so, but we’ ll all be more productive. Teams will do more with less. New opportunities will appear, as with the printing press or steam power.

For those worried now, learn how to use it. Be at the forefront. On CVs and applications, give examples of where you’ ve used AI. Internally, figure out how tools can help your organisation so people come to you.

sustainabilitymag. com 101