Why youngsters need to respond to the need for Sustainable Development

Embracing sustainable growth is imperative for a cleaner, greener and healthier future. Youngsters can lead the shift toward fair, equitable and sustainable consumption patterns 

Sustainability has become a necessity for creating a balanced ecosystem where everyone can thrive. We are facing global pandemics, rapid climate change, depletion of resources, and environmental degradation. The damage caused over decades can’t be reversed, but we can make things right for future generations through sustainability. The United Nations has developed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for countries to balance the economic, environmental and social needs in a sustainable manner.  

To help governments and corporates alike understand and implement sustainable measures, sustainability experts are in demand. In India, we have seen organizations create positions for Sustainability officers or heads to catalyze change. As a graduate in sustainability development, the future is exciting and fulfilling as both governments and businesses today are pushing for sustainable solutions and strategies to help build a better tomorrow.  

Almost every industry has weaved in sustainability and requires experts in the field to drive the triple bottom line—profit, people and the planet. As a graduate in sustainability, there are many sectors to build a career. You can enter the agriculture sector and create sustainable solutions for growing crops without adversely affecting the environment. In manufacturing, sustainability experts are needed to ensure proper use of resources and help reduce waste. Apart from having the scope of establishing a successful career in any industry, a sustainability graduate can also choose from a host of job roles.  

Sustainability Analyst

You can opt to become a sustainability analyst in an organization. Their main role is to collect data regarding the company’s sustainability measures. They keep track of the company’s use of resources, waste management, usage of electricity and water, etc. The collected data is utilized by the analyst to write technical reports and also suggest changes. A sustainability analyst is responsible for building a company’s environmental management system (EMS) and also conduct environmental audits to ensure it is being followed.  

Sustainability Specialist

Every sector today needs an expert who can guide them on sustainability measures. Corporate social responsibility has become critical to a company’s success as customers are upholding brands that are socially and environmentally conscious. A sustainability specialist helps formulate ways an organization can reduce its environmental impact. They also need to ensure optimum use of resources such as electricity and water. Build a recycling roadmap for the company and also organize environmental activities like beach cleaning for employees.  

Research

As a graduate in the field of sustainability, you can research various domains of sustainable development and come up with innovative solutions. You can also get a Master’s degree in sustainability and go into academics. 

UPES, one of the leading universities in India, is offering a Bachelor’s degree in Green Energy and Sustainability. This specialization covers all three pillars of sustainable development: Economic growth, environment, and resource protection. The 3-year program teaches general management skills, environmental ecosystem management, corporate sustainability, and climate change, among others.