By Julia Binder
In recent years, sustainable leadership has emerged as a powerful force reshaping corporate strategies worldwide. At its core, sustainable leadership prioritizes long-term success by balancing economic prosperity with social responsibility and environmental stewardship. This approach is not just about compliance; it’s about fostering innovation, building resilience, and creating positive societal impact.
Interestingly, the realm of sustainable leadership is increasingly being shaped by women. Leaders like Judith Wiese, CSO of Siemens; Annette Stube, CSO of Lego; or Kate Brandt, CSO of Google, are spearheading impactful sustainability initiatives at their respective multinational companies. This trend is even being acknowledged in popular culture, as evidenced by Barbie’s recent release of a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Barbie doll, a symbolic nod to the growing influence of women in driving sustainability agendas. This playful yet poignant gesture reflects a broader trend where women are not only breaking through traditional corporate barriers but are also leading transformative change in sustainability.
From boardrooms to global forums, women are spearheading initiatives that redefine business norms and environmental practices. Their leadership extends beyond profit margins to encompass broader goals of community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and global impact. As we delve into why women are at the forefront of the push towards a greener future, let’s explore how their unique attributes and experiences are reshaping the sustainability landscape.
The Rise of Sustainable Leadership
Sustainable leadership transcends traditional business paradigms by prioritizing long-term resilience and ethical practices. It requires leaders who can navigate complexities, inspire stakeholders, and drive meaningful change. Interestingly, these leadership traits often associated with women — such as strong communication skills, empathy, and a collaborative spirit — are proving instrumental in advancing sustainability agendas.
Women are inherently adept at fostering personal relationships and engaging communities, qualities that are fundamental to sustainable leadership. This capability to build consensus and drive collective action is crucial in tackling complex global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity.
On the global stage, women have been at the forefront of shaping ambitious sustainability policies. Ursula von der Leyen, the first female President of the European Commission, exemplifies this leadership. Her European Green Deal represents a comprehensive roadmap for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, setting a new standard for environmental policy within the EU and beyond.
Similarly, Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the historic Paris Agreement. Her tenacity and strategic acumen were instrumental in bridging international divides and galvanizing global consensus on climate action.
Women in Corporate Sustainability
In corporate boardrooms around the world, women are increasingly assuming pivotal roles in driving sustainability initiatives. This trend is not just about representation but also about tangible impact and transformation within organizations. A notable example is the significant rise in the number of women occupying Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) roles, a position crucial for integrating sustainability into corporate strategies.
According to the 2023 Weinreb Group Chief Sustainability Officer Report, the percentage of women in CSO roles has doubled since 2011, reaching an impressive 58%. This surge underscores a clear shift towards gender parity in sustainability leadership, reflecting both the demand for diverse perspectives and the recognition of women’s unique contributions in navigating complex sustainability challenges.
Prestigious awards like the CSO Awards recognize their contributions. In 2024, despite the CSO Awards acknowledging both men and women, the top three prizes for sustainable leadership were awarded to women: Rebecca Marmot, CSO of Unilever (UK); Karen Pflug, CSO of Ingka Group/IKEA (Sweden); and Daniella Vega, Global Senior Vice President of Health & Sustainability at Ahold (Netherlands). These leaders have been celebrated for their exceptional efforts in driving sustainability within their respective organizations. They exemplify how female leaders are pioneering sustainability as a fundamental business practice, setting new benchmarks in corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Championing the Circular Economy
At the heart of sustainable development stands the circular economy, a transformative paradigm aimed at minimizing waste and optimizing resource use. Dame Ellen MacArthur, renowned for her pioneering advocacy, has reshaped global perspectives on sustainable business practices through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Her initiatives advocate designing products for durability, promoting to ‘close the loop’ on resource usage, and restoring natural systems — a visionary approach embraced by industries worldwide.
A prime example of translating circular theory into corporate practice is Talke Schafrannek, Director of Circular Economy at BASF. In this visionary role, Schafrannek spearheads initiatives that integrate circularity into BASF’s global operations. Her approach emphasizes setting ambitious sustainability targets, nurturing cross-functional collaboration, and innovating funding mechanisms to accelerate the adoption of circular solutions.
Schafrannek’s leadership underscores the practical implementation of circular economy principles within a multinational corporation. By embedding circularity at BASF’s core, she illustrates how large-scale industrial players can drive systemic change towards a more sustainable future. Her efforts highlight the pivotal role of female leaders in operationalizing circular strategies and advancing environmental stewardship on a global scale.
Practical Takeaways
What lessons can we derive from these inspirational female leaders?
- Convening Power: Sustainable leadership involves bringing together diverse stakeholders in cross-sector partnerships and securing buy-in from local communities. Women leaders excel in fostering dialogue and collaboration, essential for navigating complex sustainability challenges.
- Inspiration and Aspiration: Women leaders who embody sustainability as a reflection of their personal purpose inspire others within their organizations and beyond. By aligning corporate strategies with values-driven sustainability initiatives, they spark enthusiasm and motivate teams to embrace ambitious sustainability targets.
- Challenging the Status Quo: Sustainable leadership challenges conventional business norms by advocating for innovative approaches that prioritize environmental stewardship alongside economic success. Women leaders are at the forefront of rethinking business models and operational practices to achieve long-term sustainability.
- Adaptability and Resilience: In the face of rapidly changing environmental and economic landscapes, sustainable leaders must exhibit adaptability and resilience. Women leaders, known for their ability to navigate ambiguity and manage complexities, can leverage these strengths to steer organizations through sustainability challenges and market disruptions.
- Innovation and Creativity: Sustainable leadership thrives on innovation and creative problem-solving. Women bring diverse perspectives and fresh ideas to the table, driving forward-thinking solutions that not only address environmental impacts but also foster business innovation and competitive advantage.
- Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial for onboarding and maintaining stakeholder engagement throughout sustainability transformations. Women’s adeptness in building relationships and empathetically engaging with internal and external stakeholders helps drive consensus and commitment to sustainability goals.
- Education and Empowerment: Women leaders can play a pivotal role in educating and empowering their teams and stakeholders about the benefits and importance of sustainability. By fostering a culture of learning and empowerment, they can build capacity within their organizations to embrace sustainable practices and drive meaningful change.
As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, women’s leadership in sustainability is paramount. Their visionary approach, coupled with a deep commitment to ethical practices, is driving innovation, resilience, and lasting value creation. By harnessing their unique strengths and experiences, women are not only leading the charge towards a greener future but also reshaping global narratives on corporate sustainability and environmental stewardship.
About the Author
Dr Julia Binder is Professor of Sustainable Innovation at IMD Business School and co-author with Dr Manuel Braun, Director at Systemiq, of The Circular Business Revolution (out now).
