"A masterclass in sustainability leadership, this book combines expert knowledge with actionable guidance, making it an essential tool for current and aspiring Chief Sustainability Officers aiming to make a profound impact in their organisations."

Markus Pretzl

Director ESG/EHS, TIP Group

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About

The world needs excellent and empowered Chief Sustainability Officers

The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) has become a crucial member of leadership teams, deeply involved in shaping company strategy and enhancing operations in all areas. However, despite the abundance of sustainability frameworks, practical insights on implementing effective corporate sustainability strategies remain elusive and organisations struggle to transition in a meaningful and practical way.

This book is an essential guide for new or prospective CSOs, providing insights about how to anchor sustainability within the core strategy of an organisation. It helps to focus on impactful changes and to avoid distraction and "greenwash". Using a tried and tested framework, this book de-constructs the CSO role. It links sustainability to the core areas of culture and strategy. It guides the reader through seven technical areas that make up the full sustainability role. It covers execution, building your team and leveraging technology. Finally, it looks to the future of this rapidly evolving area.

This book distils over two decades of sustainability theory and 30 years of combined management experience into a hands-on, comprehensive guide for CSOs. It also acts as an important reference for Boards, Committees, and leaders who are ready to embrace the sustainability transition and position their organisations for long-term, ethically-driven success.

Key features

Anthropological insight - Delve into the human aspects of the CSO role and the organisational dynamics that surround it.

Comprehensive resource — Access a thorough overview of the latest standards, policies, tools, and approaches for developing and executing a sustainability strategy.

Real-world examples — Benefit from insights from current CSOs and senior sustainability leaders across various sectors and markets in the EU, UK, and US.

Practical tools — Utilise chapter-specific checklists that synthesize key takeaways and provide easy-to-follow cheat sheets for immediate application.

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Who this book is for

Professionals

Individuals aiming for a CSO position, whether you’re just beginning your career, transitioning roles or industries, or progressing forward in your current sustainability role

Boards

Boards and senior executives who have been assigned ESG oversight responsibilities and wish to gain a better understanding of the CSO role and mandate

Industry

Anyone who wishes to better understand what the CSO's job entails and their daily reality, from consultants to software vendors and recruiters

Academics

Those who want to utilize real-life experiences in managing a corporate sustainability department and incorporate these learnings into sustainability education programs

Testimonials

Alison Taylor
Author of "Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World"

There has never been a better time to be a chief sustainability officer, but at the same time, pressures and expectations of the role are increasing exponentially, and there has historically been a lack of definition and professional consistency in the way the role and remit of the function is envisaged in corporations. In this indispensable book, the authors gather the latest thinking and cut through the confusion to provide a deeply practical, constructive and realistic guide to navigating through these pressures and becoming more effective and empowered in the process.

Hero Boonstra
VP Sustainability/ESG,
VTTI

This book synthesizes years of development into a few chapters and brings out the essence about the various aspects of the CSO role. Reading it feels like a journey of recognition. This is a really useful guide for CSOs and anyone who wants to understand the corporate sustainability profession and industry.

Sanne Nusselder
Global ESG Officer,
Fagron

A superb overview of the different aspects of the CSO role and the challenges that come with it. Insightful for both a newly appointed sustainability expert and an experienced CSO!