Careers in sustainability and environment-Serena Kallian

Most nations and especially businesses across the world are conscious of the dangers of neglect and the impact of the environment due to depleting natural resources in the near future. Therefore there is a collective agreement among leaders that sustainability and environment issues need immediate attention just like the economy. There have been many encouraging strides taken in pursuit of this goal. World leaders met in 2009 at a UN climate change conference to discuss the factors to renew the Kyoto Protocol which runs out in 2012. The conference may not have been a great success however many of the emerging economies recognised and accepted the need to give sustainability and climate issues its due attention.

Following this an agreement dubbed the Copenhagen Accord was drawn up by a limited group of countries which included US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa. This was formally accepted by the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at the end of the session in 2009.
All these policies may take a while to get implemented at the grassroots however this has certainly promoted the need to have more opportunities in this field as a career.

At this point it is interesting to consider sustainability management or environmental management as a career option. MBAs are considering more greener pastures these days with the green MBA. Sustainability has become more than just a catch phrase in b school circles. Institutes are incorporating cases and sustainability issues within the general MBA curriculum. The clean technology sector and sustainable entrepreneurship are throwing up several opportunities for aspirants who wish to make a mark in this field. Graduates need to understand both the business side of things and also the public policy side of things. They need to have an understanding of sustainability and some of the fundamentals of environmental and social issues and how companies are dealing with them.

The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, recently initiated a joint MBA/masters in environmental science degree. It also offers an MBA concentration in environmental management. The Center for Business and the Environment at Yale (CBEY), offers a three-year joint degree program that combines an MBA with a master’s in forestry or environmental studies. Presidio Graduate School also offers a unique programme in MBA in sustainable management. The curriculum for such programmes usually cover topics specific to sustainability, environment, law and business policy etc. They also have topics from the general MBA included in the course. Many other schools like Harvard Business School, Tuck and Haas School offer electives and concentrations on sustainability, environment, energy markets etc.

A sustainability manager develops, manages, and executes strategies related to corporate and regional sustainability. Companies usually expect candidates to have at least 3-5 years of experience in sustainability while considering for the role of a sustainability manager.

In the Indian scenario many graduates from institutes like IRMA, IIFM etc are considered for roles in sustainability.

The environmental management field is designed for students who wish to handle managerial functions overlooking various environmental aspects affecting organisations in their developmental projects. Programmes that specialise in this, equips its participants with the knowledge of systematic implementation of environmental policies and framework to achieve sustainable development.

Many of these graduates who look to move into a more socially responsible career consider options in NGOs, not for profits or international organisations. Several of these organisations work directly with the business sector on sustainability issues.

Also the course of study does not necessarily require or limit green MBA students to jobs in the clean technology or social and environmental sector. Rather, they provide them with well rounded set of skills and prepare them to be leaders in any business environment.