WBCSD convenes first gathering of a new Chief People Officer Network

Top executives overseeing people and culture from close to 30 members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have come together to explore and advance the critical role of the human resource community in driving corporate sustainability.

As sustainability continues to cement itself in the mainstream, and as companies across all sectors make bold commitments to fundamentally transforming the way their business is conducted, WBCSD and its members have identified an urgent corresponding need to ensure that leaders and practitioners are equipped with the vital skills and qualities needed to drive action and sharpen accountability around sustainability goals. 

More and more companies are realizing that if genuine transformation in support of sustainable development is to be realized, virtually all employees throughout the business will need to be fluent in sustainable development and equipped with the right adaptive skills to support its realization.

This will be essential not only for the business’s long-term success but also to ensure that the workforces of today and tomorrow are empowered to thrive in the evolving world of work.

Meeting for the first time in March 2024, WBCSD’s new Chief People Officer Network has undertaken to explore and align around leading practice regarding how people and culture teams can maximize their potential to support the implementation of robust sustainability strategies. At the same time, the group will also scope the development of new tools and frameworks that will help to ensure the competencies needed to deliver on sustainability ambitions can be nurtured and effectively embedded into corporate culture.

The Network will also play a critical role in shaping and steering WBCSD’s offerings in the field of sustainability education, supporting the organization in its mission to empower a new generation of leaders who can drive change within their organizations and contribute to a sustainable and equitable world.

WBCSD’s Chief Education Officer, Rodney Irwin, said: “As the global demand for sustainability-related skills takes off, there is an urgent need for a workforce equipped with the knowledge and tools to effect change. WBSCD is delighted to be able to count on the leadership of its new Chief People Officer Network as we collectively work towards the realization of a world in which sustainability is embedded within mainstream business and executive education, training and learning.”

For more information or to explore the Chief People Officer Network membership, please contact gomme@wbcsd.org.