LSE Alumni Working in Sustainability

How was your role linked to sustainability? 

Working with the climate change policy of Ecuador, my role was directly linked to sustainability. Fighting against climate change is a fundamental aspect to build sustainability.   

What advice would you give to students wanting to work in sustainability?

It is always possible to build cooperation to work against climate change. Be vocal on what you do and the needs and interests you have within your role and the possibilities will appear. Open doors and keep them open to continue learning, to keep inspired and to act.

How did LSE help you get to where you are today?

LSE IDEAS and the MSc on International Strategy and Diplomacy allowed me to have a broader view on the possibilities available and to grasp the key contents and positions more clearly in order to achieve better results on the issues being negotiated.

How is your role linked to sustainability?

I work across all three sectors to help clients develop, refine, execute and optimize their sustainability strategies.  My work also involves ensuring the voice of the public remains at the heart of the climate change fight.  I regularly speak at conferences, events and publish white papers on various sustainability-themed topics.

What advice would you give to students wanting to work in sustainability?

It’s a vast space that is ever-changing – and fundamentally requires consistent exploration and learning.  I would suggest that you learn as much as you can from the topic – but also be open to working with all types of clients and all types of industries.  It’s often the very businesses we ‘don’t want to work with’ that have the potential to make the biggest impact.

How did LSE help you get to where you are today?

The connections I made at LSE are lifelong and span the globe, many of my former classmates work in parallel or similar industries.  I have collaborated with them on various projects and even interviewed them for a recent climate documentary.  I have also been speaking to different LSE departmental bodies on how they can collaborate with Ipsos on a few different sustainability initiatives we are developing.

How is your role linked to sustainability?

Our business is a certified B Corp, one of just 500 in the UK, and we’re running carbon neutral – 29 years ahead of the government’s 2050 target! 

We take a broad view of sustainable business, believing it’s as much about people, teams and the communities we serve as it is about emissions and CO2 targets. 

What advice would you give to students wanting to work in sustainability?

If it’s a passion, go for it! There will be no shortage of opportunity in coming years and so much more still to be done to understand the balances and trade-offs we need to make as a global community.

How did LSE help you get to where you are today?

Being armed with a degree from the LSE opened up options that helped to kickstart my career.

These days the quality and breadth of research from the LSE is a constant reminder that our society needs to be more equitable – which is a big factor in our decision to become a B Corp.

How is your role linked to sustainability? 

I lead our talented sustainable finance team across our programmatic and policy work. We work with the finance sector to help drive conservation and climate impact in the UK and across the world.

What advice would you give to students wanting to work in sustainability?

This is a great time to get into the sustainability area as this conversation has entered boardrooms and the attention on the key sustainability challenges has never been greater. 

The main thing now is to advocate for solutions and approaches that are bold and in line with the science. It is also a great learning oportunity and there are such motivated, knowledgeable, and passionate people working in sustainability right now.

If you are interested in this field, reach out through your networks [including LSE!] and look at specific sustainability job sites and resources.

How did LSE help you get to where you are today?

The programme I studied was one of the few around the world that combined the environment with development and this interplay and balance is key for sustainability, particularly in developing countries. LSE opened my eyes to the field of sustainability through classes, engagement with students and faculty, as well as the great public lectures and readings available.

How is your role linked to sustainability?

My programme will play an important part in helping the UK meet science-based targets for emissions reduction.  

Offsetting emissions through ‘nature-based solutions’ is not an alternative to the de-carbonisation which all industries need to aim for, but it is an essential part of our path to net zero. The UK’s Climate Change Committee advised 30,000 hectares of new woodland per year and almost 50% of peatland restored by 2030 – most of which will be in Scotland.  

But it’s also important we don’t become blinkered by carbon targets – land based carbon capture also needs to protect unique habitats and enhance other vital ecosystem services, from biodiversity to cultural value and a lot else besides!

What advice would you give to students wanting to work in sustainability?

All experience is good experience – even if it’s not directly related to sustainability. Skills from different sectors and roles outside the ‘green bubble’ can be really valuable. 

I definitely had a ‘zig zag’ journey to get to my role, from starting out in private sector communications, working with social enterprises and start-ups to the UK civil service. I spent a year working on Brexit (which I HATED) because I hoped it would be a valuable stepping stone to a more rewarding career in environmental policy, with the flexibility to work outside London. Luckily for me, that hunch was right. 

Acknowledging that career paths are hardly ever straight and narrow, and taking the time to figure out what you value most from a role is probably the best advice I can give. 

How did LSE help you get to where you are today? 

Without a doubt my MSc in Environment and Development helped me get the role I’m in today. The content of the course was directly applicable to my work, and the foundations of economics and critical thinking help me navigate a complex policy area.  

I also attended a session for ‘career changers’ through the LSE Careers Service which really helped clarify what I wanted and what gaps I needed to fill to get there. Plus a practice ‘civil service’ interview helped prep me for the recruitment process.