Many of the world’s most advanced countries have shown their support for the plan to reduce CO2 emissions to zero by 2050. Europe has already committed to being carbon-free by that date. But to meet this challenge, the decisive support of businesses and governments is needed, as well as the engagement of specialized professional profiles capable of establishing concrete measures that benefit all stakeholders and turn the challenge into an opportunity. Environmental consultants are an essential part of this process.
The latest Report on the Future of Employment, prepared by the World Economic Forum, which analyzes data from large companies in 45 economies around the world, highlights that ESG criteria are at the forefront of net job creation in the near future. Specifically, ESG refers to environmental, social, and corporate governance factors within organizations. In other words, sustainability and the environment are emerging as sectors with vast employment opportunities in the short and medium term. Specializing in it ensures a high demand for profiles by companies, and an online master’s degree in sustainability is the best way to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
New environmental regulations and the awareness of companies and society in general about the need to reduce the impact of all human activities on the environment have made environmental consulting a key component of any organization. But how can it be defined?
Environmental consulting involves advising public and private companies on best practices to address environmental challenges in their activities. The work starts with an analysis of the company’s actions’ impact on the environment and the establishment of programs and policies that meet established standards and ensure the protection of the natural environment.
One of the first definitions of the concept dates back to 1987 and was given by the UN, specifically in its World Commission on Environment and Development. It defines it as: “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Over the years, variations of the same concept have been made according to the interests and perceptions of the organizations that defined it. But there is a fundamental basis that remains unchanged: environmental sustainability focuses on prioritizing nature’s care, creating a balance between this and socio-economic needs, always bearing in mind the requirement to preserve the environment for future generations.
The work of an environmental consultant is crucial to achieving environmental sustainability and reducing the impact of human activity on nature. Their tasks in a company are varied, and an online master’s degree in sustainability is the best place to learn them. Here are some of the main tasks:
All these tasks in the daily life of an environmental consultant have a defined purpose: reducing pollution. And simultaneously, the awareness work goes beyond the immediate work environment, as their knowledge should help advance a challenge that involves all societal actors. What key measures can this professional teach to reduce pollution in companies? Here are a few:
The average salary of a sustainability consultant varies greatly depending on factors such as experience and job location. In this regard, the difference between countries where the company is located is significant. Companies located in regions with more sustainable policies and social awareness offer higher salaries.
For example, in the United States, the average salary is around $78,000. In Europe, countries like Germany offer salaries ranging from €28,000 to €79,000, while in the Netherlands, the average is around €33,000.
Education is essential to gain the knowledge needed to become an environmental consultant. It is important to have solid management knowledge, which will serve as a basis for specializing in the specific field of sustainability. University studies related to biology, environmental sciences, or environmental engineering are a good starting point. However, the distinguishing element of this professional is acquired through specialization provided by an online master’s degree in sustainability.
In addition to technical knowledge specific to the specialization, the training process is crucial to develop skills that will be fundamental in daily life. Project management, teamwork, and the ability to communicate the needs and best practices required for each activity are especially valued by companies.
The online master’s degree in sustainability from Rome Business School provides the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to business transformation, establish sustainable development goals, and create products with no negative impact on companies. These studies enhance a professional profile increasingly in demand by companies.
The master’s program allows students to maintain direct contact with companies, offering practical exercises, company visits, and exclusive speakers. All this within the exclusive environment of the most international business school in Italy and with professors with extensive experience in different companies worldwide.
The master’s program is sponsored by the CNR (National Research Council of Italy) and RES4 Africa and emphasizes practical aspects. With the support of CNR specialists, students will learn to manage key aspects such as plastic recycling and gain advanced knowledge of biogas and biomethane production, among other topics.
Data supports the success of specialized training in a growing field: one year after completing the master’s, former students achieve an average salary increase of 22%.
