One of the trends in the global labor market in 2023 is for employees to have experience in the field of sustainability. Although in Bulgaria “sustainability specialists” still does not appear in the National Classifier of Professions and Positions in Bulgaria, its inclusion is pending.
In the beginning, when ESG was just entering the vocabulary of many companies, the role of “sustainability manager” was often combined with activities in the field of corporate communications. This is because a lot of communication is required about the company’s sustainable practices and sharing of good examples.
An evolving role
As companies quickly realized that ESG is not just about communication, but much more, the role is transforming. For an ESG strategy to be effective and feasible, people from all functions and levels in the company must be involved in the process. In an ideal world in the future, there will be no need for a person with the role of “sustainability manager” at all, as environmental, social and governance factors will one day be integrated into all corporate operations. Until then, sustainability roles will continue to evolve.
Transformation into action
In addition to communication, the role of the “sustainability specialists” requires the creation of a strategy for the company to follow. This major change requires close collaboration with members of the senior management team and active engagement with investors.
In 2018, when a study was done on barriers to employment in the field of sustainability. It found significant barriers, including a huge gap between role responsibilities across sectors. Another problem is a lack of clarity where in the corporate hierarchy the role falls and, accordingly, which employees from other structures can be involved in the implementation of ESG tasks and goals. Last but not least, insufficient access to power and resources are a barrier to development.
These obstacles are disappearing over time as companies identify and address ESG issues that have a significant impact on the organization’s financial performance and risk profile. This approach is consistent with broader corporate strategy creation as it helps organizations focus on what is most important to creating long-term value.
