Entering the ESG Space with Simon Minton, ex-Persefoni, IBM, Deloitte, Microsoft
Oct 31, 2023
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Experienced professional Simon Minton shares insights on ESG space, discussing programs like Nenzero, ESG evaluations, and sustainability bootcamp. The podcast covers topics including digital transformation and sustainability, communicating skills and stakeholder engagement, networking in the technology industry, community engagement, AI in net zero plans, ESG analysis using large language models, and contributing to climate change through technology and nature-based solutions.
Climate and ESG considerations need to be integrated into business operations.
Finance sector shifting from risk-based approaches to impact investing.
Diverse career opportunities in sustainability-related fields, from technology to community engagement.
Potential of AI and large language models (LLMs) in sustainability for data accessibility and insights.
Growing demand for transparency, data accuracy, and accountability in sustainability reporting.
Gaining a holistic understanding of sustainability ecosystem and interconnections between different aspects.
Deep dives
The Role of Climate and ESG Skills in Business
This podcast episode explores the importance of climate and ESG skills in business. They discuss various programs, such as Nenzero, ESG analysis, and product lifecycle analysis, designed to evaluate and improve corporate sustainability efforts. Over a thousand students have participated in these programs, accumulating tens of thousands of hours of work. The episode emphasizes the need for businesses to integrate climate and ESG considerations into their operations, as well as the growing demand for professionals with expertise in these areas.
The Shift from Risk-Based Focus to Impact Investing
The podcast highlights the shift in focus from risk-based approaches to impact investing in the finance sector. It discusses how the concept of cybersecurity underwent a similar transformation, starting as a risk-based function before evolving into a mindset that considers the impact on people, societies, and communities. The same shift is occurring within sustainability and ESG, as organizations move from a compliance-driven approach to embedding sustainability throughout their operations. This shift varies across regions, driven by different motivations and incentives, but the overall trend is to integrate sustainability across different functions within organizations.
Opportunities in Sustainability-related Career Paths
The podcast emphasizes the wide range of career opportunities available for individuals interested in sustainability-related fields. It suggests exploring domains such as technology-based solutions, nature-based solutions, regenerative agriculture, data analysis, investor relations, and community engagement. The guest encourages networking, attending meetups and webinars, and engaging with startups and organizations in the field of interest. The discussion highlights the need for professionals with diverse skill sets and passions to contribute to the decarbonization and sustainability journey.
The Role of AI and Language Models in Sustainability
The podcast examines the potential impact of AI and large language models (LLMs) in the sustainability field. While acknowledging the current challenges and limitations of LLMs, such as data reliability and trustworthiness, the guest envisions a future where LLMs can democratize access to data and enable natural language querying of complex sustainability datasets. This accessibility can empower analysts to ask data-driven questions, integrate real-time data, and gain insights for better decision-making. The evolving AI capabilities will support investor analysis, voluntary carbon markets, and real-time tracking of environmental impact.
Incentives for Transparency and Accountability in Sustainability
The podcast highlights the growing demand for transparency, data accuracy, and accountability in sustainability reporting. It emphasizes the need for organizations to provide reliable and real-time data to investors, regulators, and stakeholders. Stakeholders and investors will likely reward companies that can validate their claims with robust data, while those that lack transparency may face challenges. The discussion also encourages analysts to critically evaluate companies' data accessibility and transparency when assessing their sustainability efforts.
Prominent Figures and Newsletters in Sustainability
The podcast suggests following key figures and organizations on LinkedIn to stay informed about sustainability trends. One recommended individual is Noelle Harvey, a Canadian investment manager who posts valuable insights about ESG on the platform regularly. In addition to LinkedIn, the podcast mentions the ETVC newsletter, which provides climate tech venture capital insights, and encourages listeners to explore their thesis and thought leadership content.
Opportunities for Generalists in Startups and Sustainability
The podcast discusses the rising demand for generalists in startups and the sustainability landscape. Startups often require individuals who can adapt, learn quickly, and fulfill multiple roles. The guest emphasizes the importance of understanding stakeholder motivations, building relationships, and effectively communicating across functions within an organization. The discussion encourages individuals to consider community engagement and building networks as a way to enter the startup and sustainability space. Startups offer opportunities across various domains, including technology, nature-based solutions, agricultural transformation, and renewable energy.
The Importance of Building a Holistic Understanding
The podcast underscores the significance of gaining a holistic understanding of the sustainability ecosystem. It emphasizes the need for professionals to look beyond their expertise and grasp the interconnections between different aspects of sustainability, such as technology, data, finance, community engagement, and biodiversity. Developing a holistic understanding enables professionals to bridge gaps, engage with stakeholders effectively, and contribute to a sustainable future.
The Growing Interest in Careers and Opportunities in Sustainability
The podcast acknowledges the increasing interest in careers and opportunities in sustainability. Both early-career professionals and mid-career professionals are actively seeking ways to transition into the sustainability sector. The guest acknowledges the presence of a vibrant community of individuals interested in making a positive impact in climate change and sustainability. The conversation ends by underscoring the opportunities available for professionals to join the sustainability movement and contribute their skills and passion to address global challenges.
The Need for Real-Time and Dynamic ESG Data
The podcast emphasizes the shift towards real-time and dynamic ESG data in sustainability analysis. The guest highlights the limitations of traditional sustainability reporting, which often provides annual or outdated data. The trend is now towards access to more real-time data that enables organizations to monitor their progress, share accurate information with investors and stakeholders, and identify areas for improvement. By leveraging data from various sources, such as satellite data for emissions monitoring, organizations can gather more comprehensive and up-to-date insights to drive their sustainability efforts.
Emphasizing Plurality of Skills and Backgrounds
The podcast emphasizes the need for professionals with diverse skills and backgrounds to contribute to sustainability efforts. It stresses that skills, ranging from technological expertise to community engagement, communication, and finance, are all valuable in the sustainability field. The guest advises individuals to explore their passion, leverage their existing skills, and consider how they can align those skills with various sustainability-related domains, such as technology, nature-based solutions, and reporting. The conversation encourages professionals to embrace the growing opportunities and contribute to creating a more sustainable future.
Simon Minton's experience spans across Deloitte, Microsoft, IBM, and Persefoni. We got the privilege of hosting Simon as our ESG Industry Speaker to share his knowledge about the space and what advice he can share on building your career in ESG.
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