Professional Practice of Sustainability: - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Professional Practice of Sustainability: Knowledge and Skills Needed to Succeed

Kelly L. Simmons,

M.Ed

, ISSP-CSP

University of Colorado, Boulder

k

elly

.simmons

@

c

olorado.eduSlide2
Slide3

Houston…. We have a problem

>

Disconnect

between academic programs and employer needs

“

I don’t care what you’ve studied, I care what you can DO…...

”

>

Disruption Economy

: Rapid Changes…….

“

The goal today is to be employable: to develop the skills, experience and expertise necessary to move on or up, regardless of your employer.

”

>

World needs

TRANSFORMATIVE

Change Agents

Higher Ed more often offers incremental change to Business as Usual

Slide4

Generation Z….

Student trends: pragmatic and hungry for

applicable

,

skill building

experiences.

Worried about the planet. WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Employers want to hire talent with

applicable

skills

.

“...a growing talent mismatch caused by Western countries inability to create a workforce optimized for 21st century global economies” -

McKinsey Institute Report

What Happens Next

, 2010

Slide5

Research Says: Slide6

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.org

Job Task Analysis (2013)

Serves as the basis for the exam content, breaking down sustainability work into six domains. Identifies specific job tasks and the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with them

CORE COMPETENCIES Slide7

ISSP Study Findings:

Soft Skills

more important than hard skills >>> CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Communication – internal and external

Motivating and Inspiring others – (storytelling!)

Problem Solving

Hard Skills

noted:

Systems Thinking

Strategic Planning

Problem Solving

Challenges

:

Establishing the value of sustainability

Climate change

Building support

Financing SustainabilitySlide8

Research: Business Schools

“The integration of sustainability into the business strategies of companies is one of the most important emerging opportunities for value creation in the global economy”Slide9

Sustainability employers and career paths DO need:

Writing Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership Skills

Analytical Skills

> and especially CREATIVITY and INNOVATION skills

!

The good news.. Liberal Arts is NOT dead! Slide10

General Ed Needs…..

Leadership

Problem-solving

Writing

Public Speaking

Project Management

Research

Data analysis and managementSlide11

Core Knowledge:

Change Agency

: Models of Organizational Change

Models of Behavior Change, CBSM

Frameworks or Processes of

Innovating

ISO Sustainability Standards - 14000, 26000

United Nations - UNEP, MDGs and SDGs, Global Compact, Rio +20, Kyoto Protocol, ICLEI

Social Accountability, Social Responsibility, Environmental Justice principles

Climate

mitigation vs adaptation vs risk

Eco-Labels and Certifications - Fair Trade, LEED, FSC, E

n

ergy

Star, SITES

Sustainable Design Principles

- Biomimicry, Green Infrastructure, Permaculture, Regenerative Ag, Holistic Range

Mgmt

and Agroforestry

Circular Economy

principles and conceptsSlide12
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Core Professional Skills

Thinking and Seeing in Systems

Stakeholder Analysis and Methods of Engagement

Carbon Emissions Accounting!!

Greenhouse gas protocol, Carbon Disclosure Project, Scopes of Carbon,

Carbon Sequestration Techniques

Sustainability Reporting

-

GRI

, SASB, Carbon Emissions, STARS

Sustainable Materials Management

-

Upstream suppliers, Mid and downstream (recycling, packaging, extended producer responsibility)

Sustainability Planning

-

Natural Step,

backcasting

,

Financial Tools - Lifecycle Analysis (LCA), Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), ROIAssessment Tools: Ecological footprint, B-Corp assessment, PSAT, Facilitation Skills and Strategic Planning Slide14

Professional Credentials

ISSP- SA - Sustainability Associate – 360 worldwide

ISSP - CSP - Certified Sustainability Professional – 66 worldwide

CEM - Certified Energy Manager

LEED Green Associate

LEED AP - several Green Building specialtiesSlide15

Why should your students get credentialed?

Assure their professional edges.

Stand out in the rapidly growing sustainability field

Grow their personal brands.

Move beyond their functional expertise and establish their competence across the full breadth of sustainability work

Keep their knowledge current in a rapidly changing field.

Stay up-to-date on the latest sustainability information and best practices by maintaining their credential(s)

Attract employment offers.

Get a leg up with businesses, nonprofits, academic institutions, and public institutions who all find value in hiring credentialed professionals

Connect with industry leaders.

Open the door to networking with fellow credential holders and learn about the organizations and sectors they are shaping

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgSlide16

> Open to Accredited Private and Public Educational Entities offering quality sustainability education

Eligibility:

History of high quality sustainability-related educational offerings, instructors, and course developers

Accreditation by a recognized accrediting body

Offering Programs of Study, Credential Test Prep, and/or Continuing Professional Development

More details: Benefits, costs, application process see the ISSP

Education Partner Program Policy

on website

ISSP Education Partner Program

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgSlide17

About me…..

Sustainability Educator

Permaculture Design Instructor

Developed and ran the Sustainable Practices Certificate Program

Certified Sustainability Professional

with ISSP - International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Part of the ISSP Certification Exam advisory committee

Currently working with the ISSP as a consultant