As concern about the climate crisis grows, job seekers are taking an ever more active interest in sustainability. In particular they are assessing what employers are doing to protect the planet, and whether businesses are taking accountability for their actions.
This awareness is happening as recruitment in the sector expands rapidly: according to LinkedIn, green jobs now make up a third (33%) of its job postings in the UK, meaning the drive towards net zero has created new opportunities in almost all sectors of the economy.
Rob Doepel, UK & Ireland managing partner of sustainability at the global professional services firm EY, became committed to working towards a more sustainable future after being shocked by the devastating fires in his native home of Australia during 2019, which were made more likely due to climate change. “Sometimes you need that moment, when something happens at a personal level, for things to hit home.” he says. That moment prompted him to change tack.
With a background in energy transition, he was already aware of the challenges of decarbonising power by 2035 if we are to hit net zero by 2050. Building on that knowledge, his role now involves advising companies to make and meet bold pledges in relation to the climate crisis. It’s a broad remit: from assisting firms in navigating the complexities of regulation, taxes and incentives linked to reaching climate goals by 2050, to verifying the ethics of complex supply chains.
He says that he encourages his clients to be ambitious in their drive for change. “They won’t get every step right, there will be hiccups, and quite rightly decisions must be challenged, and that’s where I have a role to play. But they need to commit to bold challenges – significantly reducing carbon emissions from their business for instance – and go for it.”
He adds that businesses, governments and organisations have to collaborate across borders to tackle a multitude of issues, such as the impact of palm oil or highly carbon intensive industries such as steel and chemical manufacture. “Companies need to talk, invest, and find a better way which is friendlier to the planet,” says Doepel.
He is supported in his role at EY by specialists, skilled professionals, energy analysts and climate scientists, all working alongside one another. Roles are diverse, ranging from sustainable finance and green infrastructure to ESG strategy, corporate responsibility and more. “We’re receiving high interest from people who are passionate and driven, and who are keen to apply their technical and leadership skills to make a positive impact for a better future,” Doepel says.
For Maria Arteaga, a director at EY within sustainable infrastructure, it’s the social impact of her work that resonates, and becoming a parent has accelerated her focus on creating a sustainable future. “Reliable energy and functioning infrastructure are key pillars of a government’s duty to society,” she says, adding that helping the UK move away from oil and gas, while keeping the lights on, are the goals that drive her.
Sustainability is such a growing area – requiring a very diverse skillset – that it lacks a traditional career ladder, which can be part of its appeal. Working at EY means that Arteaga has the global scope to expand her knowledge and the flexibility to keep learning. “I can explore what it is that I want to contribute to – there are so many opportunities. And, as the sustainability market continues to develop and mature, we can all make a difference” she says. “Use your passion, transferable skills and drive to be at the forefront of change.”
Doepel also advises those seeking a career in sustainability to follow their interests, whether these lie in procurement, supply chain, clean energy, finance, strategy, regulation and reporting, or technology and innovation. “Complex challenges require new ways of working. We’re not only recruiting deep sustainability professionals; we’re looking for people who have a combination of skills and who understand sustainable practice,” he says.
EY offers its people the chance to develop their skills and experience, either within decarbonisation or more broadly in sustainability. In order to gain a grounding in climate literacy and develop a more nuanced understanding, all 365,000 EY people have access to sustainability learning; many will go on to deepen their expertise and some may ultimately study for the EY Master’s in Sustainability run by Hult International Business School. They can do this incrementally and it is fully funded by EY. The expertise gained is then used to create insights and sustainable solutions that enable EY clients to create long term value for their businesses.
“Sustainability is everybody’s business at EY,” says Doepel. “We are focused on building a better, more sustainable working world for our clients, people and society.”
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