SUSTAINABILITY
With global industries accelerating their push towards decarbonisation, energy transition has become a strategic imperative that cuts across every function of an organisation, from finance and marketing to operations and HR. Hult International Business School’s Matt Gitsham elaborates on what this means for the careers of the future A s the planet moves towards the next chapter in climate action, companies are not only setting ambitious net-zero and sustainability goals, they are also embedding these commitments into core business decisions around product design, supply chains, governance and culture. In its latest sustainability report, Microsoft may find themselves in greater demand, as students increasingly seek out institutions that can prepare them for the emerging roles and opportunities of a low-carbon economy. Energy transition as a priority Globally across sectors, companies are committing to targets on climate, circularity, biodiversity, equity and more. This is now central to competitiveness. The transition to clean energy and more sustainable business models is unlocking entirely new markets and reshaping old ones. With that shift has come a growing demand for new roles and skills into which savvy graduates can progress. Carbon accountants, climate risk analysts and
reaffirmed its aim to be carbon negative by 2030 and to offset all historical emissions by 2050. The company plans to more than halve its 2020 scope 3 emissions (c. 97 per cent of its carbon footprint) and invest in carbon removal technologies such as bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS) and biochar. In the UK, Tesco has committed to becoming carbon neutral across its own operations by 2035, with this target endorsed by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Its strategy includes electrifying its home delivery fleet by 2030, incorporating electric HGVs and installing solar-powered refrigeration units in its trailers, as well as increasing freight transported by rail. Such measures will collectively help reduce transport emissions by up to 76 per cent. For professionals, this shift is creating a wave of new career opportunities, many of which simply didn’t exist just five years ago. With the right skills and mindset, these roles are well within reach. For business schools, this moment presents both an urgent challenge and a remarkable opportunity: how do we prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic and environmental landscape? The task is not only to equip students with relevant knowledge, but also to foster the adaptive mindsets and cross-cutting capabilities needed to succeed in roles that may not yet exist. The energy transition is reshaping the future of work, so business schools must ensure their graduates are equipped to lead in this new environment. Those that adapt quickly
energy transition strategists need strong analytical and financial modelling skills, along with a solid understanding of climate science and regulatory frameworks. Success requires attention to detail, strategic thinking and the ability to communicate complex information clearly across teams. Supply chain sustainability leads and circular economy specialists understand lifecycle assessments, ethical sourcing and sustainable product design. They thrive when combining systems thinking with practical problem-solving and must be able to influence stakeholders and drive innovation under constraints. AI-enabled analysts and digital sustainability consultants use data science and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Success depends on technical fluency, critical thinking and the ability to translate data insights into actionable strategies, all while adapting quickly in a fast-evolving landscape. Organisational development professionals focused on sustainability need expertise in change management, facilitation and culture transformation. These roles demand emotional intelligence, strong communication and the ability to lead with empathy and conviction, while shaping behaviours and mindsets aligned with long-term sustainability goals.
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Business Impact • ISSUE 5 • 2025
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