Science And Sustainability Practices

Major roadblocks to corporate sustainability  🌎 Sustainability strategies are advancing, but execution remains a challenge. Even companies with strong commitments face internal and external barriers that slow progress. Identifying these roadblocks is the first step toward addressing them. Leadership remains a defining factor. Without clear executive commitment, sustainability struggles to move beyond surface-level initiatives. A lack of mandate and strategic prioritization often leads to fragmented efforts rather than systemic integration. Short-term financial pressures further complicate decision-making, prioritizing immediate returns over long-term resilience. Even with leadership support, execution can stall due to limited organizational expertise. Many teams lack the technical knowledge to operationalize sustainability goals, from ESG reporting to decarbonization strategies. Without this capability, sustainability remains aspirational rather than actionable. Another key challenge is weak strategic integration. In many organizations, sustainability is still treated as a side initiative rather than a core business driver. Embedding it into financial planning, product development, and supply chains requires a shift from compliance-driven approaches to value creation. Beyond internal capacity, operational constraints play a role. Limited resources—financial, technological, and human—can slow down execution. Cultural resistance within organizations also remains a factor, as legacy mindsets often favor conventional business practices over systemic change. Data is another weak link. Inconsistent, incomplete, or unreliable sustainability data creates challenges in measurement and decision-making. Without robust tracking systems, companies struggle to set credible targets, demonstrate impact, or refine strategies over time. Finally, broader systemic factors—regulatory uncertainty, supply chain risks, and lack of industry collaboration—create additional complexity. Policies are evolving, but alignment across industries is still inconsistent, making it difficult for companies to navigate expectations and scale best practices. Addressing these challenges requires more than ambition—it demands a structured approach that aligns leadership, strategy, and execution. Companies that recognize these barriers early and build internal capacity to overcome them will be positioned for long-term success. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange

New UK standard on sustainability assurance! The UK’s Financial Reporting Council has released ISSA (UK) 5000 – 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, providing a clear, internationally aligned framework for high-quality assurance of sustainability information. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 For the first time, UK companies and assurance providers have a voluntary, profession-agnostic standard aligned to the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)’s global benchmark. It sets consistent expectations for both limited and reasonable assurance, strengthening trust in sustainability disclosures and supporting capital allocation. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 • UK adoption of the global IAASB standard: ISSA (UK) 5000 mirrors the international rules, ensuring UK practice stays aligned with global norms. • Comprehensive framework: Covers the full lifecycle of sustainability assurance engagements, applicable to all providers and all sustainability topics. • Supports both limited and reasonable assurance: Gives firms a scalable way to build assurance processes as their reporting matures. • Profession-agnostic: Designed for use by a wide range of assurance providers, not only audit firms. • Voluntary, but widely supported: Strong backing from firms, investors, companies, and professional bodies for adopting the standard now, ahead of future mandatory requirements. • Strengthens investor confidence: More reliable sustainability information can reduce information risk, improve capital access, and reinforce the UK's position as a hub for sustainable finance. • Signals regulatory alignment: Reflects the FRC’s commitment to streamlined, internationally consistent reporting and assurance frameworks. Below is the new standard. How are you planning to apply it in your work? Would love to hear in the comments! #IAASB #assurance #sustainability #sustainabilityreporting 

Over the past 15 months, I have had the privilege of working with an exceptional group of professionals and researchers across the UK and the US on policy recommendations for sustainable health research. This work has culminated in the Academy of Medical Sciences and National Academy of Medicine report: For People, For Planet: Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Health Research Here are some reflections on why this matters, what we found, and what we can do going forward.   Why sustainable health research matters: Health research is vital, but it also has an environmental footprint – from energy use in laboratories, water consumption, plastic waste, travel, large-scale clinical trials, data storage and computational demands. As climate change becomes ever more pressing, we need research that is sustainable for both people and planet.   What we discovered 1. Data and metrics: We need standardised tools and methodologies to measure the environmental impact of health research, beyond carbon emissions alone. 2. Funding: Funders can accelerate sustainable practices by setting environmental requirements, offering incentives, and investing in capacity building. 3. Regulation: Regulatory frameworks must evolve to embed sustainability while supporting innovation and ensuring fairness for both large and small institutions. 4. Procurement and supply chain: Sustainable procurement policies and greater transparency from suppliers are critical to reducing research’s environmental footprint. 5. Infrastructure: Long-term investment in sustainable buildings, energy systems, and digital infrastructure is essential to reduce environmental impact. 6. Capacity building: Researchers and organisations need training, resources, and support across all career stages to embed sustainability into health research. What we can do next: 1. Adopt and refine shared metrics, tools and methodologies for all research activities – including digital and AI-driven methods – to ensure transparent, comparable reporting. 2. Embed sustainability requirements incrementally in funding, regulatory and publication processes, pairing them with accessible guidance and financial support. 3. Invest in people and infrastructure, prioritising training, accreditation schemes and green facilities that can be scaled up across diverse research settings. 4. Foster international collaboration and data sharing, recognising that climate change knows no borders and that solutions developed in one context can benefit many. If you are interested in this space, whether as a researcher, funder, policy maker, or practitioner you can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eqshC2an And summary here: https://lnkd.in/e6ayB92r

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥. Too often, we assume #sustainability is a matter of better tech, cleaner energy, smarter policy. Incremental improvements, driven by technology and optimisation. But if we want real, systemic change, we need to rethink the questions we ask — and the concepts we rely on. A recent paper offers a compelling blueprint for this rethink: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZzPDxwW Key insight? Transitions are not just technical or economic — they are conceptual. And without a shared understanding of how transitions unfold, we get fragmentation instead of coherence. We need both: ⚙️ Efficiency — doing more with less 🌿 Sufficiency — doing what’s enough, in the right places And above all: asking the right questions about power, equity, risk, and resilience. The authors propose 5 Shifts we must make to turn vision into viable pathways: 🟢 Industry Shift From extractive and linear → To circular, inclusive, and low-carbon. 🟢 Urban Shift From sprawling and car-dependent → To compact, connected, and equitable. 🟢 Energy Shift From fossil lock-in → To renewable, efficient, and just. 🟢 Land Shift From degradation → To regenerative, multifunctional landscapes. 🟢 Culture Shift From mistrust and division → To collaboration, curiosity, and civic agency. 🧭 #Transitions are messy, non-linear, political. They require not just “innovation,” but governance, imagination, and conceptual clarity. If we don’t align on what we mean by transition, we’ll keep pulling in different directions. ✅ Let’s move beyond narrow metrics. ✅ Let’s design for interdependence. ✅ Let’s ask better questions, and act from better foundations.

Want to break into sustainability? Here's the roadmap no one talks about. I get messages almost daily from people who want to work in sustainability. Or hope I can connect them to a job in the space. I get it. Truly. The work feels meaningful. The mission matters. But there's a tension: → Companies are cutting budgets. → Sustainability is being deprioritised internally. → Roles are disappearing, not multiplying. And at the exact same time: → More people than ever want to pivot into the field. → Everyone wants their work to feel meaningful. → "Sustainability" still trends on every career platform. It's a tough mismatch. So if you're serious about breaking in, here's what actually works: 1. Pick your lane. Sustainability + marketing. Sustainability + engineering. Sustainability + finance. Sustainability + operations. Whatever your expertise is, bring that. Generalists don't add that much value anymore. Specialists who understand the intersection do. 2. Learn the business reality. Read the legislation. Understand how companies actually operate. Know the tension between ambition and budgets. This field needs rigour, not good intentions. 3. Do the invisible work. Research. Analysis. Write something no one asked for. Build a portfolio that you're capable, not just passionate. This space is full of passionate people, that's not something that'll make you stand out. 4. Talk to people doing the work. Not the ones posting about it. The ones in the weeds. Ask what they struggle with. Learn what actually matters. 5. Build credibility before asking for access. Don't message founders asking for jobs. Message them with ideas. With insights. With something useful. Earn attention instead of asking for it. 6. Understand what companies actually need. They're not hiring people who care. They're hiring people who can deliver results. Show you understand their challenges. Show you can help them solve problems. 7. Be patient. I'm 6 years in and still learning every day. I'm not a sustainability expert. I'm a marketing expert in the sustainability space. That distinction matters. 8. Don't lead with good intentions. Lead with curiosity. Lead with capability. Lead with work that demonstrates your value. 9. Please, don't add "sustainability expert" to your headline. Because you've read a few reports. Build the expertise first. Earn the title. 10. Create something that proves you can think. A research project. A case study. An analysis. Something that shows you understand the space and can contribute to it. Breaking into sustainability takes time. It takes rigour. It takes proving you can deliver, not just that you care. But if you're willing to do the work, especially the invisible kind, you'll build something that earns attention instead of asking for it.

The Silent Revolution in Healthcare: Sustainability A hospital bed generates more plastic waste in 24 hours than an average household does in a week. And yet we rarely talk about sustainability when discussing the future of healthcare. But here’s the truth: Sustainability isn’t just about “going green.” It’s about reshaping the economics, resilience, and humanity of our healthcare systems. Why This Matters Now Healthcare is responsible for nearly 5% of global carbon emissions. Supply chain fragility, waste, and energy-intensive operations are inflating costs. Patients are increasingly choosing providers that align with their values. For leaders, sustainability is no longer a CSR footnote. It’s a strategic imperative impacting margins, reputation, and future-proofing. The Contrarian View Most leaders treat sustainability as a compliance checkbox. But in healthcare, sustainability is innovation in disguise. Think about it: A solar-powered rural clinic isn’t just eco-friendly. It’s lifesaving in regions with unreliable grids. Switching to reusable surgical kits isn’t just waste reduction. It’s cost efficiency. AI-driven energy monitoring in hospitals isn’t just green tech. It’s predictive resilience. A Framework for Action (for Healthcare Leaders) Here’s a 5-part lens I recommend when embedding sustainability in healthcare strategy: Energy Efficiency First – Smart grids, renewable integration, and retrofitting hospitals for energy optimization. Circular Supply Chains – Move from single-use to reusable medical devices where safe, and partner with vendors on green logistics. Digital Transformation – Telehealth, AI diagnostics, and predictive analytics reduce physical strain on facilities and carbon footprint. Community Health = Climate Health – Invest in preventative care and environmental health initiatives that reduce long-term system load. Measure & Report – Track carbon, water, and waste metrics like you would track revenue or patient outcomes. A Personal Reflection Years ago, I visited a clinic in a flood-prone area. Their diesel generators had failed. But they had one ward still running because it was powered by solar. That moment stuck with me. Sustainability wasn’t about “green branding.” It was about keeping a premature baby alive in an incubator when everything else failed. Over to You Healthcare leaders, investors, technologists How are you embedding sustainability into your strategy? Is it a side project… or a core pillar of how you build resilience? Because in the coming decade, the healthiest healthcare systems will also be the most sustainable ones. Pabitra Kumar Das ✅ #HealthcareInnovation #Sustainability #Leadership #FutureOfHealth

The Trojan Horse approach for sustainability careers. Most sustainability professionals don't start in sustainability roles. They begin elsewhere and strategically integrate their environmental expertise into core business functions. They understand that companies are not hiring sustainability experts. They are hiring experts who think sustainably. They master essential business capabilities first, then embed sustainability thinking throughout their work. This strategic integration creates professionals who speak the language of business while advancing environmental goals, across multiple business functions. Financial Services: Analysts and bankers are incorporating climate risk modeling into investment decisions and developing innovative green financing products. Operations Management: Engineers are implementing waste reduction and circular economy principles and designs into manufacturing processes. Technology Development: Software developers are building ESG data platforms and creating automated systems for carbon tracking and reporting. Strategic Planning: Business strategists are embedding long-term environmental considerations into corporate planning frameworks. Marketing and Branding: Marketers are developing purpose-driven and sustainable brands, and focusing on stakeholder engagement and transparency. The professionals advancing in the sustainability market are those who have established credibility in core business areas while developing deep environmental expertise. This combination enables them to influence decision-making from positions of established trust and competence.

🧮 Coordinated policy + science-based strategy = meaningful impact for the planet. Beijing’s air quality transformation is a powerful case study. A city once infamous for its smog has turned things around in a big way. Since 2013: • PM2.5 pollution has fallen by 64% • Nitrogen dioxide levels cut by 54% • Sulphur dioxide dropped by 89% • “Good air days” went from 13 in 2013 to 300+ in 2023 📈 All the while, the city has continue to grow its GDP by an average of 6.8% a year. So, what’s the secret? Experts say it's the coordinated approach they took: 👉 1,500 air-quality sensors across the city 👉 Stricter controls on coal-fired power plants 👉 Older, more-polluting vehicles phased out 👉 Public transport scaled up It’s proof that strong policy, a clear plan, science-driven insights, and bold leadership make for a winning formula. It's not the end of the road by any stretch—Beijing's pollution is still six times higher than WHO guidelines. But it’s a reminder: meaningful impact *is* possible. _____ ➕ Follow Abbie Morris for posts about sustainability, policy, and startups. 📧 Drop me a DM if you want to learn more about tackling the mountain of sustainability regulation facing the retail industry.

According to the World Economic Forum’𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, around 𝟑𝟗 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 are expected to change by 2030. Among the 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩. This shows that the 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. For professionals today, it is no longer enough to be technically competent in your domain. What sets 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 is how well they 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 into everything they do. I have noticed that individuals who begin saying things like “I optimise for resource efficiency” or “I design with circular value in mind” get asked different questions and enter different conversations. One memory that stands out is a marketing lead I advised. They reframed a campaign as “reducing material waste in the value chain” instead of simply “brand awareness.” The outcome changed: client meetings became 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫. Here are seven 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 that will define 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 in the coming decade 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 – Recognising your role as part of wider ecological, social, and value chains 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Designing for reuse, repair, and renewal rather than single use 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 – Interpreting energy use, carbon footprint, and resource flow data 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 – Guiding teams through sustainable transition 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 – Accepting that what you know today will evolve and proactively adapting your competence 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 – Taking conscious responsibility for resource impact 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Innovating with both business growth and ecological and social impact in mind 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭 If you want to remain relevant in the decade ahead, start weaving these green skills into your current role instead of waiting for a “green job” label. The market will reward those who think sustainably from day one, not just those who switch roles. Which green skill will you develop in the next six months, and how will it shape your professional story? LinkedIn #LinkedInGreenSkills #COP30 #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #Sustainability #GreenSkills

Two acquaintances of mine (Alvin Lim from Climate Bridge International and Izzat Hamzah from 3Degrees) who are experienced carbon services professionals are quoted in this Straits Times article. "For Mr Alvin Lim, chief executive of local carbon project developer Climate Bridge International, the challenge goes beyond qualifications. He looks for three things in a potential hire: First, the person needs to demonstrate interest in the carbon markets by reading avidly, taking courses and doing internships. This will be reflected in the depth of knowledge, including a good grasp of project types, UN rules on carbon trading, and carbon market policies in other countries. Second, the person must be intellectually curious, he said. It is the third trait that Mr Lim has been struggling to find in local job-seekers after months of interviews – the grit and willingness to work in remote countries to oversee and monitor carbon projects. Most of the projects Singapore is expected to approve are likely to be hosted in the Global South, which includes countries in Latin America, Africa and South-east Asia. “Some people see this as an adventure and others see this as a hardship trip. What if I tell them: ‘Can you please go to Ghana and live there for a month and help us monitor the project?’ And what if you need to travel 25 per cent of the year? “And this is not even the capital of Ghana, it could be two hours away in the middle of nowhere,” Mr Lim said. “We are looking for candidates with grit and the ability to be resourceful in finding solutions, especially when operating in unfamiliar environments with limited support.” Mr Izzat Hamzah from global climate solutions provider 3Degrees believes that sustainability is less of a domain and more of a lens – a perspective that someone aspiring to join the climate space should adopt. It is about having core expertise, whether in economics, law, engineering or computer science, and applying those skills in sustainability, he said. A sustainability professional should be a “Jack of all trades, a master of some”, said the Asia-Pacific lead for trading and origination of environmental commodities. “When folks ask how they can build a career in sustainability, they miss the point. The real question is: ‘How do I develop deep expertise in my current profession – be it law or engineering – and then gear it to sustainability?”" https://lnkd.in/gQ_ug7kz