Sustainability – Environmental Expert (ESG, NET ZERO, Strategy)

Sustainability – Environmental Expert (ESG, NET ZERO, Strategy) – Banking Client – London, Paris, Brussels

Duration: 1 year Freelance Contract

Rate: Flexible 500 – 800 per day

Hybrid Working: 4 days onsite in a month – the rest can be worked remotely (mandatory)

UK consultants must work via an Umbrella Company

Our Corporate Sustainability Office (CSO) is looking to expand its team with an environmental expert with a strong academic background and a proven history of assisting companies in their transition to net zero.

My Clients Corporate sustainability Office is a small, diverse team reporting to the Chief Sustainability Officer.

We are currently based in Brussels and London and open to new colleagues from all ESA branch locations! The main focus of the team is on our Environment, Workplace and Governance. In a nutshell:

• Embedding ESG strategy into the organisation and decision making
• Defining and implementation a NetZero Transition plan
• Measuring progress against ESG important metrics
• Keeping track of ESG regulations and leading implementation and compliance
• Producing the sustainability statements as part of the Annual Report, in line with CSRD requirements
• Reporting and communication to a wide range of collaborators
• Ensuring ESG is firmly embedded into attitude and behaviour through training and engagement programmes at all levels

The CSRD is reshaping ESG reporting, requiring businesses to disclose various metrics, making it a board-level priority.

For 2024, sustainability trends emphasize renewable energy, sustainable finance, and climate technologies focusing on decarbonization and innovation.

The clients, our environmental goals align with the CSRD, striving for Net Zero by reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, concentrating on energy use, indirect emissions, and company travel.

We’re also working with suppliers to set their own Science-Based Targets by 2027.

For all these undertakings and within the environmental stream, we collaborate closely with many stakeholders throughout the organisation and receive support from an ESG programme that helps maintain focus and assist with project management.

We are seeking an Environment Manager/Expert with a strong academic background and a confirmed history of assisting companies in their transition to net zero.

The ideal candidate will be instrumental in driving progress against our near-term and net zero dedication, in encouraging an environmentally conscious approach across the company and in ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Stay abreast of environmental regulations, lead environmental audits and impact assessments and thereby ensure organisational compliance.
• Advise the organisation on environmental management systems and impact reduction strategies (including carbon insetting, offsetting…), and calculation methodologies, data switch
• Develop and implement environmental strategies that align with the company’s strategic emission reduction plan, including processes such as TNFD, ICP
• Lead environmental training and engagement programs to embed sustainability into the company culture.
• Collaborate with various partners to promote and integrate environmental considerations into business operations.
• Support the preparation of sustainability statements as part of the Annual Report, in line with current environmental reporting requirements.

Qualifications and desired skills:

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, or a related field.
• Relevant certifications such as Certified Environmental Manager (CEM) or Registered Environmental Manager (REM) is desirable.
• Proven experience in environmental management, preferably within the financial or related industries.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations, reporting standards and best practices
• Familiarity with ESG strategy implementation and monitoring.
• Experience with environmental data analysis and reporting.
• Proficient in the use of environmental management software and tools.

ESG savviness and curiosity to continue to (self-)learn on evolving ESG market trends.

Proactively improving your and the team’s knowledge, e.g. by reading or networking externally

Comfortable with working in a fast-changing environment, which means that assigned tasks and role can be subject to change over time

• Ability to lead and inspire change towards more sustainable practices.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Reporting: The Environment Manager will report to the Corporate Sustainability Office and work closely with senior managers and external partners to advance the company’s environmental objectives.

Please do send across to me the most up to date CV to eobiechefu@welovesalt.com

*Rates depend on experience and client requirements