Top 100 ESG & Sustainability Interview
Questions and Answers
Taking ESG and sustainability interviews can be overwhelming and challenging. But if
you prefer some practice ESG and sustainability interview questions. It can help you
clear the interview round and land your next job. However, ensure you cover all the
topics which we covered here. Because while hiring ESG and sustainable officers, the
interviewer asks tricky questions with real-time case studies. You must be prepared
and keep practicing to stand out from other candidates.
1.
What is sustainability?
The word sustainability comes from ‘to sustain’, which essentially means to provide support
and prolong or preserve something. What we hope to preserve and support is life on planet
earth. Thinking about this definition, we can view sustainability as an approach to life that
causes the least possible harm to the natural world or living organisms.
2.
Why is sustainability important?
The main goal of sustainability is to protect the planet so that future generations don’t have
to suffer. Ultimately, we only have finite resources on this planet, but we’re currently not
being considerate of that.
Our actions now shouldn’t be at the expense of our fellow creatures or humans, so it’s
important to be aware of sustainability in our daily lives so we don’t cause more irreparable
damage to Earth.
3.
What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
The three pillars of sustainability are the three most fundamental aspects of sustainability,
and they are environment, economy and society. All of them, directly and indirectly, impact
each other – none of these pillars stand alone.
This is why it’s important to consider everything when we’re talking about sustainability,
from materials and wastage to human treatment and working conditions.
4.
What are some examples of sustainability?
There are so many different ways to be sustainable. One example is green energy – wind
power, for example, is a free, natural, and infinite resource that doesn’t cause harm to
others, but does help to keep society functioning.
Another good example is creating, maintaining and looking after green spaces. This is
because green spaces and plants improve air quality, protect water quality and reduce soil
erosion, to name a few benefits.
5.
How do you teach sustainability?
Sustainability should be taught to young children so that they embed healthy practices into
their everyday lives without even thinking about it. For example, teaching them about
composting, recycling, caring about animals and plants, and shopping second hand from
a young age.
In later life, there are so many great resources, videos and sustainability courses that can
teach people how to live more sustainably.
6.
What are the benefits of sustainability?
The benefits of sustainability are countless, but to simplify this answer, we’ll break it down
into thinking about the three pillars of sustainability. Sustainable practice benefits the
environment by conserving and looking after Earth’s resources, preventing global warming
and extreme weather, and protecting lives. It benefits the economy by reducing wasted
time, effort and power and finding a balance between growth and responsibility. It benefits
society by building up communities and supporting those who are most vulnerable.
7.
Is being sustainable difficult?
It’s not always easy trying to make sustainable choices in a society where over
consumption and endless consumerism is encouraged, not only by the world’s biggest
corporations, but also by some governments.
However, more companies and governments are paying attention to sustainability than
ever before, making it easier to make more informed and ethical choices. It may require a
bit more research, but the benefits are endless.
8.
Do you need to be rich to be sustainable?
You may have noticed that a lot of sustainable shops, whether they’re selling clothes, food
or skincare, are pretty expensive. This makes it appear quite costly to be sustainable, but
it needn’t be the case.
A lot of sustainable practices actually originated from a desire to save money; for example,
using less energy, not buying unnecessary products and not wasting food. In addition,
indigenous people are some of the most sustainable of all, despite having little money or
material possessions.
9.
Where can I learn more about sustainability?
Whether you’re a new learner or someone looking to make your business more sustainable,
FutureLearn offers flexible online sustainability courses that allow you to study the subject
so that you can improve your understanding and potentially make important life changes.
From sustainable construction and development, to how we can create sustainable energy
systems, now is the time to explore this fascinating topic.
10. What sustainability certifications or frameworks exist?
This depends greatly on the area you’re interested in learning more about. You can find
out about sustainable fashion certifications, sustainable food certifications, and more online.
Certifications and frameworks help you to find companies that you trust, and you can then
recommend to others who want to start their sustainability journey.
11. How can you be more sustainable?
There are plenty of things that you can do to be more sustainable. What you’re able to do
will depend on things like where you live and how much time you have, but there are still
options for everyone.
In addition, you don’t have to be perfect in order to be sustainable. It’s better to make a few
changes and stick to them rather than not try at all because you’re unable to do everything
sustainably.
12. What are some examples of sustainable living?
As we’ve previously mentioned, sustainable living will look different for everyone. For some
people, it might look like being completely self-sufficient – growing your own food, creating
your own energy and building your own structures. However, for others, sustainable living
is merely being more aware of your choices, including how much you consume, where you
buy from, and how you treat the Earth and other living creatures.
13. How can I be more sustainable at home?
There are so many simple ways you can be more sustainable at home. To start with, you
can make sure you turn off any electric appliances or lights when you’re not using them,
reduce your water intake (take shorter showers), and recycle when you can. We’ll go into
more specifics in the questions and answers that follow.
14. How can I eat more sustainably?
In our blog Is eating meat bad for the environment? we investigate exactly how damaging
the meat industry is. The main takeaway is that reducing your meat consumption can be a
great way to have a more sustainable diet.
Other than that, you should think about where you get your food from, as small markets
and butchers might be better than big supermarkets. In addition, try to buy items with as
little single-use plastic packaging as possible.
15. How can I reduce my food waste?
There are so many ways you can reduce your food waste. The first thing is to keep track
of the food you have in your fridge and cupboards. You can do this by making sure you
keep older items near the front and making meal plans that use up all of your food items.
Then, you can compost any vegetable peels and odd bits, or use a food sharing app like
Olio to share any food that is about to go off and you know you won’t eat.
17. What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion can come in different forms. It’s mostly sustainable to buy secondhand clothes from thrift stores, charity shops, and apps like Depop, so long as you don’t
then try to sell them for much more money afterwards.
It’s also sustainable to look after the clothes you already own by caring for them properly
and sewing or tailoring them when they break. Brand-wise, sustainable fashion is made
with eco-friendly materials, designed and manufactured ethically, and ensures that
everyone involved is paid fairly.
18. What’s the most sustainable way to travel?
A huge amount of carbon emissions come from transportation, with a large majority of
those emissions coming from road vehicles. Flying is also not great for the environment.
The most sustainable way to travel is either by foot or bike, but this is obviously not possible
in many scenarios. Public transport like buses and trains are a good option, and if you do
need a car for work, consider buying an electric or even hydrogen-powered car.
19. What is sustainable technology?
Sustainable technologies tend to use renewable energy, are made from materials that don’t
have a negative environmental impact, and are usually energy-efficient. Examples include
electric vehicles, LED lights, carbon storage technologies and solar panels.
20. How can I bank sustainably?
You may not have considered banking on your sustainability journey before, but switching
banks is actually one of the most impactful decisions you can make. This is because big
banks are not only the cause of many financial crises, but they’re also the biggest funders
of fossil fuels. Some examples of ethical banking alternatives include Triodos and
Nationwide. App alternatives like Monzo and Starling are also better than the traditional
banking giants.
21. How can I reduce my energy usage?
Switching to renewable energy is something really helpful that you can do, and companies
like Big Clean Switch help you to make these changes without the hassle. If you’re happy
with your provider, you can try to keep tabs on how much energy you use by installing a
smart meter, or trying our Sustainable Energy Access for Communities course.
22. What are the sustainable development goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) were created as an attempt to map out a
series of goals that would tackle the world’s most important challenges, with a deadline set
for 2030. They include goals related to ending poverty, providing access to education,
protecting and preserving life, fixing inequalities and tackling climate change.
23. Who created the SDGs?
The Sustainable Development Goals were created in Rio de Janeiro in 2012 at the United
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. They served as a replacement for the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were created in 2000 as part of a global effort
to fight poverty and hunger.
24. How will the progress of the SDGs be monitored?
There is an SDG Tracker website where data is presented across all indicators in the Our
World in Data database. These statistics are taken from the UN and other official
international organisations, and form a free, open-access publication that monitors global
progress towards the SDGs. This enables the public to see how their country is doing, so
they are able to hold their government accountable if it fails to make changes.
25. What happens if we don’t reach the SDGs?
There is a high chance that many of the SDGs won’t be reached by 2030. While this won’t
all be related to COVID-19, the pandemic has certainly increased global inequity and made
it harder to track data relating to the SDGs.
However, the goals are still important to have in place because they remind us what our
hopes and aims for humanity are, and help us strive for something better.
26. How can design thinking help with sustainable development?
Design thinking might be a key tool whilst thinking about sustainable development. In our
Designing for a Sustainable Future course by Samsung, you can learn more about how
design thinking can be used by technology companies to solve problems and find
innovative solutions to the world’s problems.
27. What is the difference between ESG and sustainability?
ESG is an acronym for environment, social, and governance, so we can see that the
concept will have some overlap with sustainability. The main difference between the two is
that ESG is specific and measurable, whereas sustainability is a broader and more vague
term.
This means that companies can use ESG criteria to make tangible decisions and steps in
their company to become greener, more ethical, and better governed.
28. What is sustainable construction?
Sustainability in construction is a hugely important part of development, as it can help to
build a more eco-friendly world for future generations. Sustainable construction requires
you to build with renewable and recyclable materials, with consideration about the amount
of energy and resources being used and the environment surrounding the construction site.
29. What counts as a green building?
The World Green Building Council defines a green building as ‘a building that, in its design,
construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive
impacts, on our climate and natural environment’. Features that can make a building green
include the use of renewable energy, non-toxic materials and waste-reduction measures.
30. What does it mean to have a sustainable economy?
The economy is probably not something you normally associate with sustainability, but it’s
actually very important. Having a sustainable economy is about not favouring economic
growth at the cost of social, environmental and cultural factors, and finding a good balance
between growth and responsibility. This isn’t just for the benefit of the planet, but can also
benefit big corporations by reducing wasted effort, time and money.
31. What is meant by the green economy?
A green economy takes this one step further. It’s defined as low carbon, resource-efficient
and socially inclusive by the UN Environment Programme, where public and private
investments go into assets and infrastructure that work to reduce emissions, pollution and
biodiversity loss, and to enhance energy and resource efficiency.
32. What are some careers in sustainability?
If you’re interested in sustainability, there are a bunch of careers you might be interested
in, depending on your particular passion. You might want to work in renewable energy,
wildlife conservation, animal welfare or green technology – but you can also work in an
ordinary company and try to make sure they push for sustainable practices.
33. Are sustainability jobs in demand?
Sustainability is a fast-growing industry, so more and more jobs are becoming available.
Interest from young people and students in sustainability is particularly driving the rise of
sustainability careers. Some of the most in- demand jobs include clean transport
manufacturers, urban growers and recycling plant operatives.
34. What are the benefits of working in sustainability?
Working in sustainability can be very rewarding because you know you’re having a positive
impact on the world. In addition, sustainable companies should pay and treat their workers
well in order to reflect their values, and if they don’t, it will be easier to hold them responsible.
Finally, as sustainable initiatives are on the rise, you will have decent job security in this
field.
35. How can you champion sustainability at work?
The best thing you can do is to talk to your colleagues and leadership team about
sustainable practices. You don’t need to preach to them, but by discussing options, pointing
out the benefits of sustainability, and being sustainable yourself, you’re likely to have a
positive impact.
36. Why is corporate sustainability important?
Corporate sustainability is so important because it helps organisations strive for more
sustainable practices and think about something other than profit. This is especially
essential because just 100 companies are responsible for over 70% of emissions, so more
responsibility needs to be taken by corporations than is currently happening.
37. How can I be more sustainable at work?
There are several things you can try to be more sustainable at work. Creating a green team
that focuses on sustainable initiatives can be a good idea, or you could try to go paperless
at work, ride your bike on your commute, or try to cut down on single-use plastics.
38. What does a sustainability officer do?
A sustainability officer (or CSO) has the role of analysing and predicting the stability and
environmental impact of the company. They’re in charge of setting policies, goals, and
objectives that will help the company meet environmental policies as well as make a profit.
39. What does a sustainability consultant do?
A sustainability consultant has the job of working with different companies and businesses
in order to help them become more responsible and conscious of sustainable and ethical
practices. They evaluate the impact that the company is currently having by looking at
things like their carbon footprint, and then they come up with tangible solutions.
40. How can I run a sustainable business?
Luckily for you, we have some great courses that’ll help you get started with running a
sustainable business. Try our Social Enterprise: Growing a Sustainable Business course
or our Upcycling: From Green Ideas to Starting a Business course, both by Minca Ventures.
41. Can I study sustainability at university?
Yes, you can. They all vary a bit depending on which aspect of sustainability you want to
eventually work in, but sustainability degrees are becoming increasingly common. From
studying climate change to sustainable development or even sustainable fashion, there
are plenty of options out there. One of our courses will make an excellent starting point.
42. What is climate change?
Put simply, climate change is the long-term shift in weather patterns and global
temperatures, often seen on a large scale. It’s a natural part of life, and existed for centuries
before humanity was born, but when we talk about climate change today, we’re normally
referring to the fast rise of temperatures that we’ve seen in the last 100 years as a result
of human activity.
43. What are the biggest causes of climate change?
There are several main causes of climate change. The biggest one is the burning of fossil
fuels, as this is the primary cause of global warming as a result of more greenhouse gases
going into the atmosphere. The other big causes of climate change are deforestation, as
this releases C02 and halts the release of oxygen, and many practices in the agricultural
industry.
44. What is the impact of climate change?
The impact of climate change is extremely far-reaching, affecting our environment, fellow
living creatures and society. Some of the biggest repercussions of climate change include
extreme weather events like flooding and droughts that lead to forest fires; mass
extinctions of animal and plant species; melting ice glaciers that lead to rising sea levels;
and changing wildlife habitats that can negatively affect many ecosystems.
45. What are fossil fuels?
The three main fossil fuels are coal, crude oil and natural gas. They’re named fossil fuels
because they were formed from the fossils of plants and animals that lived millions of years
ago, and their origins are the reason why they have a high carbon content. Fossil fuels are
extracted using a range of methods, including mining, drilling, fracking and acidizing, all of
which are extremely harmful.
46. What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy comes from energy sources that replenish themselves, and is,
therefore, often naturally sustainable. For example, wind and sunlight are powered by
nature itself, and so we can always rely on them for energy as long as the weather permits
it. Renewable energy has been around for centuries in the form of waterwheels and
windmills, but it was first used commercially in 1927.
47. What is my carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint can belong to an individual or company, and is essentially a measure of
the total amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere as a result of your
actions. It’s usually measured in tonnes of CO2e. Reducing your carbon footprint is one
tangible way you can try to make a difference and become more sustainable.
48. What does greenwashing mean?
You might have heard this term being thrown around lately, since greenwashing is
becoming more popular in today’s society. Greenwashing is when a company tries to
market themselves as environmentally friendly or sustainable without actually working to
reduce their environmental impact or become more ethical. Essentially, it’s a deceitful
advertising tactic used to appeal to those who want to shop sustainably.
49. How can we design for a sustainable future?
It will take a lot of work and commitment to ensure that we design for a sustainable future,
and this requires us to educate ourselves. Luckily, we have plenty of courses created with
that in mind.
Try our Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Complex Systems Analysis ExpertTrack for a
deep dive into complex systems analysis and sustainable design, or start off with our
Tackling Environmental Challenges for a Sustainable Future course if you’re new to this.
50. Can sustainable technology help save the world?
The role of technology is certainly a huge one when we contemplate saving the world from
environmental, economic and social collapse. Technologies such as renewable energy and
electric vehicles are undoubtedly game-changing, so we hope that even more solutions
will arise in the near future.
However, we can’t just rely on technology – human behaviour and simple actions will make
all the difference.
51. What can we do as individuals to create a more sustainable future?
There are so many things we can do – in our section on living sustainably, we discussed
that changing your food, fashion, transportation, banking and energy habits can make a
real difference. In addition to this, you can push for legislation by going to peaceful protests,
writing to your MP and local councillors, and advocating for sustainability on social media.
52. Which Environmental Certification Is Most Important for Our Business?
It’s a common question you might be asked while attending your sustainability officer
interview. With this question, the interviewer wants to know whether you have experience
in the certification process. Also, they wish to understand which sustainability and ESG
certification can be most valuable for the business.
Example: I know about many environmental certifications for businesses like LEED
certification and Energy Star Certification. And I think most certifications are important to
measure your business’s sustainability. I suggested my previous company get Energy Star
Certification, which helped us make our lighting system more efficient.
53. What Metrics do You Use to Measure the Success of the Sustainability Strategy?
This interview question helps the interviewer to know your ability to analyze and measure
data. You can use examples and previous experiences where you executed the same task.
Example: In my last job role, I was tasked to implement a recycling program for our
company’s cafeteria. Later, I analyzed our effort’s progress and found it reduced by 50%
waste. As a result, it helped our company to save money on trash removal activities.
54. What is the Ideal Way to Develop and Maintain the Leadership Required to
Implement ESG and Sustainability?
Sustainable officers not only need to perform ESG strategy but also have to deliver results.
They must know to employ the workforce around the organization’s vision and goal to take
the right actions. This question helps the interviewer to know about your ability to deal with
your job role. So, to answer it properly, you must have in-depth knowledge of the
organization and its ecosystem. Furthermore, it’s also essential to understand the
company’s social and environmental impacts.
55. Tell Us Some Effective Strategies to Keep the Employees Ready to Adopt More
Sustainable Practices.
It can be tough to encourage employees to adopt sustainable practices. Hence, while hiring
sustainable officers, the interviewer asks the same question. If you face such a question
during an interview, share your answer wisely.
Example: I think encouraging employees to adopt sustainable practices is important. In my
previous company, we had to encourage our employees to participate in the recycling
program. We organized inter-department activities and rewarded those who came up with
the best innovative ideas.
56. Can You Tell a Little About the “Hierarchy of Harm” and Why is It Essential for
Modern Businesses?
The hierarchy of harm is the framework widely used to understand the environmental
impact on various levels. This question checks candidates’ knowledge about sustainability
and how they can deal with real-world challenges.
Example: The hierarchy of harm is the tool or system that ranks the severity of various
types of pollution. It starts its ranking with the least harmful pollution and reaches the most
harmful one, like water pollution. In my previous company, I was accountable for this role,
where I had to handle three projects. So, I selected a project with the least negative impact
on nature.
57. How will You Build Up a Future-Ready ESG Framework?
Business leaders must ensure their ESG framework aligns with every changing economy
and technology. The economy and technology will not be the same as they are structured
today. Hence, businesses must keep modifying and coming up with more sustainable plans.
Example: Many retail companies have large workers and a significant proportion of less
skilled workers. That means they are more likely to lose their job when technology gets
more advanced and affordable for businesses. But organizations can develop training
programs and ongoing internships to train these under-skilled workers and keep them
productive for a long time.
58. What Possible Ways can Corporations Use to Navigate the Ever-Changing
Landscape of ESG?
This interview question is related to ESG and asks you the possible ways to track ESG
progress. While answering, you can structure your answer around evolving regulatory
standards. And you can tell your strategies to balance dialogue with regulators and
policymakers. You can measure ESG progress by comparing it with peers, other
organizations, and other factors. However, your measurement base should be flexible and
innovative.
59. What does Sustainability Mean to You?
This ESG and sustainability interview question may look very simple to answer. But it has
the potential to check your knowledge and experience in this field. When answering this
ESG interview question, keep it simple and clear.
Example: The term sustainability is derived from the word “sustain.” It means to protect or
preserve something for future use. In the business world, sustainability is becoming a hot
topic among leaders, as businesses also have to contribute to supporting our planet and
its living beings. Evaluating its meaning, we can view sustainability as a technique or
approach that encourages business persons to develop solutions or strategies that harm
nature and living organisms less.
60. Do You Know About the Pillars of Sustainability?
It’s other questions that your interviewer can ask you during your ESG interview. This
interview question checks your deep understanding of ESG, especially sustainability. So,
be prepared to answer these commonly asked sustainability interview questions.
Example: The pillars of sustainability are the environment, economy, and society.
All these pillars are equally important as they directly affect nature and its living organism.
Therefore, it’s essential to consider each of them before making any business decision that
affects nature.
61. How are ESG and Sustainability Different from Each Other?
ESG and sustainability are used interchangeably, but both are different. By asking this
question, your interviewer wants to know if you have deep knowledge about both terms.
Example: ESG is the short form of environment, social, and governance, which makes it a
specific term. Whereas sustainability is a broader concept that talks about a sustainable
solution. Moreover, ESG talks about how external (i.e., social and economic) factors affect
the company, but sustainability talks about how the company and its internal factors affect
the world.
62. Why Are You Interested In This Job?
I have been eyeing this company for quite some time owing to your unique work
environment and what you do to the local community. I knew I had to apply for this job
when I saw an opportunity in the daily papers. I want to help you implement programs that
will improve the environment, save you money, and benefit the local community to ensure
your continued growth. Lastly, I have all the experience needed to excel in this job, which
I believe is mandatory.
63. What Are The Roles Of A Sustainability Specialist?
A sustainability specialist ensures that the programs and policies an organization adopts
protect the environment, save the employer money, and better the local community. As a
result, they revise and review sustainability policies and proposals, identify and create new
sustainability indicators, write and rebate grant applications, identify and investigate any
case of natural resource violation, offer technical and administrative support when it comes
to sustainability programs, and issue, create as well as maintain plans and other relevant
documents.
64.What Are The Qualities That A Sustainability Specialist Needs To Be Successful?
These professionals need many unique qualities due to their role in the workplace. Some
of the mandatory skills include excellent analytical skills to identify relevant data, good
communication skills to put across information and communicate with stakeholders,
excellent leadership skills to help push for change, and quality problem-solving skills. They
must come up with strategies to help achieve different sustainability initiatives.
65. Mention The Main Challenges That You Faced In Your Last Role. How Did You
Overcome Them?
In my last role, I worked in an industrial manufacturing facility where my main job was to
research changes in the environmental regulatory codes. I faced two main challenges,
which I overcame in the end. First was the workload, which turned out heavier than I had
anticipated. I countered it by delegating and prioritizing work even though I would work
overtime occasionally. Also, the organization and general staff were resistant to change at
first, which I overcame by using my leadership and negotiation skills. I am happy with the
job I did.
66. Describe Your Daily Routine
My day as a sustainability specialist revolves around researching different regulatory
requirements impacting the operations of the company, monitoring and evaluating whether
various sustainability programs are effective, partnering with other vendors on green
initiatives, researching ways the organization can reduce its carbon footprint, drafting and
implementing initiatives that benefit the community, attending meetings and attending to
any roles outlined in the job description. All in all, my day is always packed.
67. Briefly Mention Your Experience
I have spent seven years in this field, working in different industries and teams. I first
worked in a utility company where I was tasked with measuring water and air emissions
before joining one of the biggest retail operations in the region, where I calculated its
energy consumption during different processes. I have also worked for the federal, local
and state institutions and gained a great deal of experience which will come in handy in
this field.
68. Mention Some Of The Strategies And Mindsets Required For This Role
After almost a decade of working in this field, I have discovered that the best strategy any
sustainability specialist can adopt is looking at the bigger picture. We are normally charged
with creating and developing short- and long-term sustainability strategies for organizations,
which cannot happen without focusing on the results and how they will affect the company
in the long run. As for the right mindset, one definitely needs to be future-oriented since
sustainability policies and strategies will definitely affect the company’s future.
69. What Main Challenge Do You Foresee In This Role?
I have taken some time to look at your workplace policies and culture, which, to be honest,
are greatly appealing. I do not, therefore, think that I will have any problem with the policies
and overall culture. However, this being one of the biggest retail companies in the region
means that I should expect a heavier workload, which I am definitely willing to tackle after
better preparation. I believe that any other challenge that rears its head will be tackled
through teamwork.
70. How Do You Stay Motivated In This Role?
I believe that my motivation stems from my love of bettering the local community and
conserving the environment. As a sustainability specialist, I am often charged with
developing and implementing social responsibility initiatives that benefit the community as
a whole and coming up with policies and strategies that ensure environmental conservation.
I do not, therefore, struggle with motivation because I am constantly doing what I love. Also,
I always have an amazing team around me, which keeps me on my toes.
71. Mention A Time That You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned
I once worked in a company where both the staff and the organization were reluctant to
change, giving me a hard time putting across new ideas, strategies, and policies. They
even shot down my recommendations on partnering with a few vendors committed to
conserving the environment and thus furthering green initiatives. I used to give up most of
the time, which had a compounding effect as three years later, the company could not keep
up with some regulatory compliance requirements. Even though it wasn’t wholly my fault,
I realized that I should have pushed more and used my leadership/negotiation skills. I
learned the importance of being a good negotiator in such circumstances.
72. Why Do You Believe That You Are The Most Suitable Candidate For This Role?
After spending over a decade working as a sustainability specialist, I believe that I have
learned all the intricacies and tricks required to excel in this role and help the organization
save money, conserve the environment, and better the community at large. I have also
worked in different industries, making me highly versatile and ready to try new ventures. I
can also blend in well with other people and work in several settings, which is
advantageous. All in all, I will be a good addition to your team if given a chance.
73. What Is Your Most Significant Achievement?
Even though I have several achievements in this field, I can’t forget my first time in this job.
I was fresh from college when a start-up saw my potential and decided to give me a job. A
utility company mandated me to measure its water and air emissions. I did an excellent job
and even had some older companies knocking on our doors asking for the strategies we
used. I stayed with the company for five years before venturing into new fields.
74. What Do You Normally Consider When Proposing A Sustainability Initiative For
Your Company?
Every sustainability specialist knows that certain factors must be considered when
proposing a sustainability initiative, factors that are always in line with our work. I normally
consider an initiative’s long- or short-term effect on the environment, its cost of
implementation and overall results, and whether it will benefit the local community. A good
sustainability initiative should not be hard to implement.
75. How Do You Normally Secure Fundings For Sustainability Projects?
One of the most challenging tasks for any sustainability specialist in securing funds for a
sustainability initiative, which I haven’t been struggling with. I normally use my
communication skills to apply for grants and rebates to help run our sustainability projects
as well as partner with different organizations or vendors focused on sustainability. I also
usually negotiate with the top management of the organizations I work for to create an
extra budget for sustainability projects. I am glad that I have always managed to secure
funding for different projects.
76. Can You Mention A Good Sustainability Strategy You Developed And Greatly
Impacted Your Company?
I have developed many sustainability project goals and strategies for different companies
in my career, which I intend to do if I get a chance to work here. However, I am most proud
of the recycling strategy I developed for my former company, ensuring that we saved
money and preserved the environment. We didn’t have to unnecessarily source materials
and reduced our spending on waste disposal.
77. How Would You Help A Company Reduce Its Carbon Footprint?
Carbon emissions harm the environment and have been quoted as one of the main
contributors to global warming. As a sustainability specialist, one of my roles is to ensure
that the company comes up with strategies that save the environment and, in this case,
reduce its carbon footprints. In the wake of electric cars, I believe that advising and seeing
that the company switches its fleet of vehicles from gas to electric is a good way of reducing
its carbon footprint.
78. Have You Ever Revised A Sustainability Policy? What Benefits Did Your
Company Get?
While working at Neuros Asbestos and Co, I noticed that the company had planned to
switch to alternative raw materials to save on costs. However, the main problem with the
alternative option was its relatively low quality. Noticing that the company would end up
with lesser quality products, I decided to look into other ways of saving money. I saw that
we could recycle waste products, hence saving on unnecessary sourcing of materials and
disposal costs. I wasn’t shocked when my idea was accepted at the very start, and the
company ended up cutting costs by a whopping 20-percent.
79. Have You Ever Communicated The Effectiveness Of A Sustainability Initiative?
Yes. I have to communicate the effectiveness of a sustainability initiative to convince the
company to adopt it and begin my process of sourcing funds. At my former workplace, I
came up with a strategy of switching the fleet of vehicles from petrol to electric, which was
definitely met with hostility, owing to the costs involved. However, I had an intensive 2-hour
meeting with the board where I explained the importance of such a transition, including the
fact that we would save on the cost of fuel in the long run. They later accepted, managed
to reduce their carbon footprint, and saved on costs.
80. Have You Ever Organized A Company-Wide Volunteer Activity?
Yes. I believe that one of my main roles as a sustainability specialist is to draft and
implement social responsibility initiatives, which most of the time involve the entire
company. I once noticed that the beach surrounding us was dirty on an occasional stroll.
With the permission of the management, I organized a beach cleaning initiative that
involved the whole company. The local community was delighted and decided to join in,
making it a successful experience.
81. How Do You Normally Communicate To The Staff Regarding The Company’s
Sustainability Goals?
One of a sustainability specialist’s most important skills and roles is communication. One
must know the right means to put across the information. To communicate the company’s
sustainability goals to the staff, I normally first organize a physical meeting where we get
to discuss and clarify these goals before printing circulars and brochures, shedding more
light on them. I also ask the managers and other stakeholders to rally the employees
towards the achievement of these goals consistently.
82. What Role Does Research Play In Your Work?
Research plays a vital role in my work since I can barely come up with anything tangible
without researching it. I have to look up the regulatory compliance requirements that impact
the company’s operation, how the organization can reduce its carbon footprints, and even
how to incorporate recycled materials in its product line. Therefore, it is sufficient to say
that research helps me develop proper sustainability initiatives for short- and long-term
results. I am glad that I have, over time, sharpened my research skills.
83. Can You Mention Some Of The Settings You Have Worked In?
I have worked in several settings in my career, which has definitely prepared me for this
job. I have worked in industrial manufacturing facilities, federal, local, and state
governmental institutions, retail corporations, and utility companies. Some of my roles in
these settings include conducting research about environmental regulatory code changes,
measuring water and air emissions, evaluating energy use, and coming up with sustainable
initiatives, especially those supporting green energy. I am glad that I have had to serve in
all these settings.
84. What Is Your Greatest Strength, And How Will It Help You In This Field?
I have several strengths that I believe will come in handy in this field. However, the greatest
is my analytical skills, which are required in every stage of coming up with a sustainable
initiative. I have to go through different documents, evaluate how initiatives are performing,
and research various environmental regulatory procedure changes, all of which require
excellent analytical skills to identify the needed data. I will definitely use these skills in this
institution to better my career.
85. What Role Do Excellent Communication Skills Play In This Job?
I believe that every job requires a good communicator since things cannot get done without
proper communication. Every sustainable specialist must have excellent communication
skills to prepare progress reports for a given company’s internal and external stakeholders
and communicate the goals of a sustainable initiative. Proper communication skills also
come in handy during teamwork, where everyone is expected to share information and
motivate one another to be at their best. I am glad that I possess excellent communication
skills, which will definitely help me in this job.
86. Are You A Problem Solver?
Yes. I believe that one has to be a problem solver to excel in this field. We are mainly
mandated to come up with sustainable initiatives to ensure that the business flourishes
and that both the environment and the local community are taken care of. I, therefore,
understand how to identify and solve problems through several creative solutions. I can
also develop strategies that will help forward the existing sustainability initiatives in this
company if given a chance. I am looking forward to using all these skills for the betterment
of your organization.
87. Is ESG undermining your company’s competitiveness?
Fears that excessive emphasis on ESG could harm a company’s competitiveness are not
misplaced. In fact, there are valid questions about whether, if a company places too much
energy into ESG objectives, it risks losing its focus on growth, market share, and profits.
In March 2021, for example, Emmanuel Faber, Danone’s chief executive and chairman,
stepped down amid pressure from activist investors, one of which suggested that Faber
“did not manage to strike the right balance between shareholder value creation and
sustainability.” More generally, if a company focuses too much on ESG, it could struggle to
compete against companies from countries with less rigorous standards, such as China.
But if a company does not focus enough on ESG, it risks falling behind in the market, losing
the support of employees, customers, and investors, and potentially even losing the license
to trade in more stringent regulatory/ESG environments, like the U.S. and Europe. Finding
the correct balance will be hard because the parameters will vary across sectors and
geographies, as well as over time. What is essential is that boards consistently review their
focus on ESG and judge whether they are managing the trade-offs.
88. Does driving the ESG agenda mean sacrificing company returns?
Business leaders should be aware of the risk that a dogged ESG focus could be seen by
some shareholders as harmful or compromising financial shareholder returns. That said,
ESG advocates suggest that returns from ESG investment funds are not lower than those
of traditional equity funds. In fact, returns can be higher than on broad base indices.
89. How are you navigating ESG trade-offs?
The shift from a world of financial shareholder primacy to broader stakeholder capitalism
encompasses a far-reaching agenda — including climate change, worker advocacy, the
pursuit of gender and racial diversity, voter rights, and more. All these aspects of ESG are
beset with trade-offs that business leaders must navigate.
For example, energy company boards have to weigh urgently tackling climate change
against meeting the needs of the over 1 billion people who do not have access to reliable
and affordable energy. In addition, business leaders are forced to balance the needs for
climate action and decarbonization with the risk that curbing supplies of conventional
energy sources could drive up inflation and the cost of living through higher costs of power,
heating, and electricity bills.
90. How does ESG change due diligence?
Traditionally, evaluations of a company’s assets (such as in assessing the value of M&A
transactions) tend to focus on a set of conventional factors. These include business
synergies, tax consequences, and anti-trust considerations. Today, thorough due diligence
efforts also require an audit of how an acquirer or acquiree meets certain ESG standards.
ESG audits will also matter when raising capital; debt-rating agencies and investors require
this additional data, too.
Areas that could come into ESG due diligence include adapting products and services to
climate-friendly materials and processes, evaluating diversity and wider employment
practices, as well as revamping how companies engage with communities. Corporations
today must be ready to demonstrate that they are ESG compliant — with actions and
results.
91. Should you become a public benefit corporation?
Traditionally, many U.S. corporations are formed legally under Delaware LLC structures
that prioritize financial shareholders over environmental and social stakeholders. Although
under Delaware LLC structure, the Business Judgement Rule allows boards to take
broader stakeholder concerns into consideration, there remains a push by campaigners
for environmental and social causes for companies to switch to either a public benefit
corporation (PBC) or B-corps structure.
Both PBC or B-corps registrations aim to legally enshrine the interests of broader
stakeholders, not just financial shareholders. However, PBCs are signed up to a
governance code that is recognized in 37 states, whereas B-corps are corporations that
are certified by the non-profit B-lab as meeting higher standards of accountability,
transparency, and social purpose than traditional listed companies.
Financially, companies need to examine the implications of changing their status from
Delaware LLC to a PBC or B-corp — for example, whether or not PBCs are allowed to
trade on various stock markets around the world. Business leaders must be alert to any
changes in decision rights and restrictions of a PBC structure— for example does it restrict
how the company raises capital or pays dividends? Can valid like-for-like comparisons can
be made with Delaware registered peers when reviewing performance?
92. How should corporations address societal concerns such as racial equity?
Business leaders must be guided by a framework that is transparent and consistent in
addressing current events that highlight injustice. Recently, boards have been challenged
to ensure that they are consistent in defending racial justice across all racial, ethnic, and
religious groups. For example, in 2020, while the murder of George Floyd was met with
near universal condemnation and statements of intent to redress inequality in support of
Black Lives Matter, acts of violence against Asians were met with a less consistent and
assertive corporate response, as Shalene Gupta highlighted in HBR.
For the sake of employees, customers, and clients, corporations must be more transparent
on how business leaders will handle these concerns, and broader ESG issues, as they
emerge. An inconsistent approach risks fostering division among employees and creating
a culture of “us versus them.”
93. How do you develop a global approach to ESG?
A more comprehensive ESG approach must be inclusive of different countries and cultures.
For example, Western workers advocating for work-life balance, notably in the technology
sector, sit in stark contrast to some Chinese employees willing to work 9-9-6 — that is,
from 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week. Political and business leaders must weigh the risks,
not only of Chinese values being rejected by employees and customers in the West, but
also of western liberal attitudes being rejected by workers and customers in China.
Likewise, in the case of the environment and climate change, it is impossible to make
meaningful progress globally without having China and India on board — even if their
desired speed of change might differ materially from those in the Western world.
94. How do you build an ESG framework that is future-proofed for tomorrow’s
economic realities?
Business leaders need to focus on ESG design and a system of thinking that applies to
how the economy will be shaped in the future — not just how it is structured today.
For example, many retail companies point to strong diversity data within their staff today.
But the reality is that a large proportion of the workforce are less- skilled workers who are
most vulnerable to losing their jobs to increased automation and digitization, such as the
prospect of driverless cars. According to the World Economic Forum, 85 million jobs will
disappear due to automation by 2025.
While 97 million tech-driven jobs will be created, many of them will require higher levels of
skills and qualifications. Schools and education public policy must ensure that new
generations of workers are equipped with the knowledge to thrive in the workplaces of the
future. But there is also an onus on companies to take active steps to reskill their existing
workforce — and specifically to aid its most vulnerable members — to be able to transition
into new roles. This can be achieved through well-developed trainee programs,
apprenticeships, and on-going internships, such as in different areas of coding. Inaction
will lead to greater net unemployment of precisely the diverse set of employees this ESG
strategy is hoping to protect.
95. How do you vet company performance of ESG?
Business leaders must decide how their ESG results will be vetted for compliance.
Companies already use independent external auditors for financial, operational, cyber, and
worker audits. The question is whether ESG standards will need to be assessed and
monitored by independent third-party accounting or law firms, or whether ESG will be
overseen by a global body or by national regulatory organizations.
For now, although independent firms and regulatory bodies continue their efforts to design
metrics and standards, ESG benchmarking remains highly fragmented. Therefore, the
challenge for boards is to assess which metrics to choose and use.
The trend is to make companies accountable to external bodies: not only regulators, but
also industry associations and trade bodies. The SEC, for example, is seeking greater
clarity on the sustainable credentials of ESG-labeled investment funds. But simply
obtaining clarity on how many different organizations define ESG is not enough. For the
market to function properly, an open audit system requires harmonized rules followed by
all.
One notable step came in 2021, when the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA)
launched harmonized principles for green bonds, used by corporations to finance
environmentally sustainable projects.
96. How should corporations navigate the ever-changing landscape of ESG?
As companies devise metrics to track ESG progress, they must be able to compare
performance across time, peers, other industries, and against evolving regulatory
standards. As they do so, they need to anticipate where regulation on all aspects of ESG
will land. Therefore, business leaders must maintain a dialogue with regulators and
policymakers, and companies should look to cooperate and coordinate on best practices
with their industry peers.
Global corporations must approach ESG in a way that is transparent, consistent, flexible,
innovative, sustainable, sensitive to cultural differences, dynamic, and future-proofed.
Furthermore, corporations should focus not only on mitigating the risks of ESG, but also
on the opportunities it presents to continue to support human progress.
97. What Are The Roles Of A Sustainability Specialist?
A sustainability specialist ensures that the programs and policies an organization adopts
protect the environment, save the employer money, and better the local community. As a
result, they revise and review sustainability policies and proposals, identify and create new
sustainability indicators, write and rebate grant applications, identify and investigate any
case of natural resource violation, offer technical and administrative support when it comes
to sustainability programs, and issue, create as well as maintain plans and other relevant
documents.
98.What Are The Qualities That A Sustainability Specialist Needs To Be Successful?
These professionals need many unique qualities due to their role in the workplace. Some
of the mandatory skills include excellent analytical skills to identify relevant data, good
communication skills to put across information and communicate with stakeholders,
excellent leadership skills to help push for change, and quality problem-solving skills. They
must come up with strategies to help achieve different sustainability initiatives.
99. What Main Challenge Do You Foresee In This Role?
I have taken some time to look at your workplace policies and culture, which, to be honest,
are greatly appealing. I do not, therefore, think that I will have any problem with the policies
and overall culture. However, this being one of the biggest retail companies in the region
means that I should expect a heavier workload, which I am definitely willing to tackle after
better preparation. I believe that any other challenge that rears its head will be tackled
through teamwork.
100. How Do You Normally Secure Fundings For Sustainability Projects?
One of the most challenging tasks for any sustainability specialist in securing funds for a
sustainability initiative, which I haven’t been struggling with. I normally use my
communication skills to apply for grants and rebates to help run our sustainability projects
as well as partner with different organizations or vendors focused on sustainability. I also
usually negotiate with the top management of the organizations I work for to create an
extra budget for sustainability projects. I am glad that I have always managed to secure
funding for different projects.