Sustainability at Work is a compelling guide for anyone who seeks both a successful career and a career that makes a positive difference in society.
Containing career advice of great value to students and professionals, and explaining how one can integrate sustainability into future roles, this book’s appeal extends far beyond those well versed in sustainability thinking. The text includes an easy-to-follow structure—the SURF Framework—that anyone wondering how they can make a difference in the workplace can apply. In this thoroughly revised new edition, Marilyn Waite builds upon recent career trends to include two all-important themes that are redefining sustainability: justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and climate-related career pathways. In addition, practical advice for finding and creating roles that correspond to one’s preferences and purpose is elaborated. The book explains how real people in a plethora of sectors can have a positive impact on people and planet. Professionals from a variety of backgrounds and locations explain how they brought a sustainability approach to various sectors, including agriculture, business, economics, and financial services, education and research, entertainment and media, health care, law and policy, and science and technology. The breadth of stories covers individuals working on five continents in various levels of responsibility.
Through inspiring narratives and a structured framework, Sustainability at Work illustrates how sustainability can be incorporated into every imaginable career to impact the quadruple bottom line: environment, economy, society, and future generations.
Chapter 1. Background: Four Pillars of Sustainable Development
Chapter 2. Introduction: Sustainability and Careers
Chapter 3. Pursuing Sustainability in Science and Technology
Chapter 4. Pursuing Sustainability in Health Care
Chapter 5. Pursuing Sustainability in Law and Policy
Chapter 6. Pursuing Sustainability in Business, Economics, and Financial Services
Chapter 7. Pursuing Sustainability in Education and Research
Chapter 8. Pursuing Sustainability in Media and Entertainment
Chapter 9. Pursuing Sustainability in Climate-Related Careers
Chapter 10. Pursuing Sustainability through Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Chapter 11. Conclusion: Careers and the Quadruple Bottom Line
Biography
Marilyn Waite’s vision is a world where sustainability values of social justice, environmental consciousness, intergenerational equity, and economic health drive decision-making and business practices. A sustainability expert and practitioner, she has addressed audiences globally on sustainability in careers, finance, textiles, climate change, water, and energy. Marilyn holds a Master’s degree with distinction in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Princeton University. She serves on several boards and investment committees.
“Sustainability at Work is a great source to practically guide professionals on their career journey, providing frameworks and real-world stories of people in various sectors and professions. The content from the first edition has been used in our China MBA Program with the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing. This second edition is most welcome, as it expands the career narratives to include China and highlights roles to help curb climate change. It is a great addition to many university courses, and I would personally recommend it to my entourage.”
Yanan Xu, Assistant Provost, China, City University of Seattle
“As China undergoes a rapid acceleration towards an ecological civilization based on shared prosperity, with a pledge to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060, it is imperative that professionals gain an understanding of sustainability concepts and apply the tools to their work. The second edition of Sustainability at Work enables the reader to ground themselves in the present-day context of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies as applied to various sectors and roles. I highly recommend Sustainability at Work for global curricula.”
Junjie Zhang, Professor, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University; Director, Initiative for Sustainable Investment, Duke Kunshan University; Chief Economist, Green Finance Forum of 60 (GF60)
“As dean at INSEEC Master of Science business school, I’ve accompanied thousands of students in their career journey. Increasingly, the job market is demanding operational, entry-level staff in the fields of corporate sustainability, responsible investing, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. The second edition of Sustainability at Work is a timely read to gain the tools and insights needed to be successful in the growing application of ESG practice. I highly recommend Sustainability at Work for today’s young professionals.”
Ellen Kountz, Dean of the Finance Department, Professor of Finance, INSEEC MSc business school, Paris Campus (OMNES Education group)
“As a professor in France that teaches climate politics and climate negotiations, I help prepare students for a workforce that is increasingly centered on the global ecological transition. As such, I warmly recommend the second edition of Sustainability at Work with its new chapter on climate-related careers.”
Carola Klöck, Assistant Professor, Centre for International Studies (CERI), Sciences Po Paris
“The second edition of Sustainability at Work is most welcome as law students and practicing legal professionals grapple with the complex intersections of environmental, social, and governance jurisprudence in the public and private domains. I therefore highly recommend this updated version to my network in Spain and Latin America.”
Izabel Rigo Portocarrero, Deputy Director of the Public Law Department, Faculty of Law, International University of La Rioja (UNIR Spain)
“The second edition of Sustainability at Work has filled a gap in the social and environmental action nonfiction field. The volume serves as a useful guide to readers in incorporating the theory of sustainability into the workplace for various roles. I have found the book to be an invaluable resource for my students. I highly recommend the book for use in Latin America.”
Mary Little, Associate Professor of Justice, Resilience and Ecology, School for Field Studies, Atenas, Costa Rica
