The CSO at a Crossroads: Three Paths Forward for Sustainability Leaders

The CSO at a Crossroads: Three Paths Forward for Sustainability Leaders

Executive Summary

This report synthesizes findings from interviews with 31 Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) conducted in 2024 across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. It traces the evolving role of the CSO amid rapid changes in the sustainability landscape and proposes three potential paths forward.

Key Findings

1. Rapid Change and Turbulence

   • The sustainability field has matured, transitioning through phases of voluntary adoption, ambition, turbulence, and now professionalization and regulatory integration.
   • Today's CSOs face multiple crosscurrents, including backlash against "ESG" in the US, increased attention to regulatory compliance, and the need to make tangible, credible progress on existing commitments.

2. Professionalization and Integration

   • Many CSOs reported improvements in organizational structure, allowing sustainability to transition from a peripheral role to a central corporate function.
   • They are finding success by integrating sustainability into core business operations, adapting specific expertise to unique business needs, and increasing resources to deliver strategic impact.

3. A Crossroads and Three Paths Ahead

   • The report describes the CSO at a crossroads and argues that this is a crucial moment to shape an affirmative vision for the role.
   • It identifies three potential paths for CSOs:
     • The Steady Manager: Focused on compliance, efficiency, and risk management, delivering incremental improvements.
     • The Integrated Strategist: Actively influencing corporate strategy and integrating sustainability into core business functions.
     • The Transformative Change Agent: Driving innovation and reshaping business models to address sustainability challenges holistically.

Key Data Points

• Years of Experience: The four authors have over 30 years of experience working with businesses to create a just and sustainable world.
• Interviews Conducted: One-on-one interviews with 31 CSOs.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the urgency and scale of global challenges and the pressing need for visionary leadership in sustainability. The CSO is well-equipped to transform their organization for business resilience and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. By asserting their influence, CSOs can illuminate new business opportunities, advocate for systemic change, and strengthen sustainability as a priority at the highest levels of corporate decision-making.

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This summary captures the main points and key data from the report, highlighting the evolving role of CSOs and the proposed paths forward.