"The growing demands in the area of ESG are creating some exciting career opportunities."
ESG stands for “environmental, social and governance”. What makes a job in this area so exciting?
Working in Sustainability Services is exciting because the activities are so diverse. We provide both auditing and consulting services to support our clients with various issues in the area of sustainability. This includes sustainability reporting according to internationally recognized standards, developing and operationalizing ESG and climate strategies, as well as aspects relating to sustainable finance.
What did you originally want to be?
I originally wanted to be a forensic pathologist. Had I gone down that route, my world would look a whole lot different today. But, in the end, I decided to study economics – a good decision, as I love working in such a lively and dynamic environment in my current job.
You audit companies and advise them on sustainability-related issues. How does the focus on ESG affect the auditing activities?
Unlike a conventional audit, the audits we carry out are not just about financial indicators. That’s because presenting a company’s performance purely on the basis of hard financial figures is no longer enough for clients, investors and the public. Instead, companies need to know the impact of their business activities and disclose ESG-relevant risks and opportunities, especially ones relating to the environment. Investors and the public demand complete transparency in this sense. We check that the figures are accurate and complete, and we ensure balanced and sustainable reporting in which economic, environmental and social aspects are covered in equal measure.
Which skills are needed to work in Sustainability Services?
You can join our team if you have a degree in economics, engineering, social sciences or natural sciences, preferably with a focus on sustainability. Ideally, you will also have some experience of working in a sustainability context, such as in the area of ESG management, sustainable finance, climate and/or human rights.
Because the ESG reporting landscape is very dynamic and there are many different reporting standards, you should be familiar with common standards and requirements such as GRI SRS, TCFD, CSRD and EU taxonomy.
What else should you bring to the table?
You should have a passion for ESG topics and be curious and committed. In my experience, ESG projects can be very dynamic and highly complex. Therefore, it helps a lot to have excellent analytical skills and a methodical approach to your work. You should also have good interpersonal skills – after all, auditing and consulting are team sports. If you are motivated, have a sense of humor and enjoy working with others, you’ll fit in perfectly here and will be well-equipped to overcome any challenge.
What are the main challenges in ESG right now, and why should you definitely consider a career in this area?
We are seeing a trend toward increasing regulation in the area of ESG. For example, the counterproposal to the Responsible Business Initiative is aiming to introduce binding due diligence and reporting obligations for Swiss companies. Companies are therefore facing some complex challenges and are having to deal increasingly with environmental, social and governance issues and the corresponding disclosure requirements.
But the growing demands in the area of ESG are also creating some exciting career opportunities.
Do you care about sustainability? Are you interested in tackling the daily issues and challenges faced by our clients in this complex area? And would you like to do your bit for the planet together with our clients? Then you’d be a great addition to our team.