March 29, 2024
Updated April 11, 2025
16 minute read
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager is a professional dedicated to developing, implementing, and overseeing strategies that help organizations operate in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. They work to minimize negative impacts while often seeking ways to enhance positive contributions to society and the environment. This role sits at the intersection of business operations, environmental science, social responsibility, and regulatory compliance, requiring a unique blend of skills.
Working as a Sustainability Manager can be deeply rewarding. You'll often find yourself tackling complex global challenges, like climate change and resource scarcity, at an organizational level. The role provides opportunities to drive meaningful change, influence corporate strategy, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Engaging with diverse stakeholders, from executives to community members, and seeing tangible improvements in environmental performance or social outcomes can be particularly exciting aspects of the job.
Introduction to Sustainability Manager
Defining the Role and Its Scope
At its core, a Sustainability Manager champions an organization's commitment to sustainable practices. This involves integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into the company's core business strategy and operations. Their scope is broad, potentially touching every department, from supply chain management and product design to human resources and finance.
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Find a path to becoming a Sustainability Manager. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/career/zt65rd/sustainability
Reading list
We've selected some books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Sustainability Manager.
Authored by three Nobel Prize winners in economics, this book offers a rigorous analysis of sustainable development and explores the economic and policy implications of achieving sustainability. It covers topics such as the measurement of sustainability, the role of technology and institutions, and the ethical dimensions of sustainable development.
Presents the foundational principles of ecological economics and discusses the application of these principles to real-world issues, such as energy policy, land use planning, and resource management. It provides a comprehensive overview of the field, making it suitable for readers who seek a deeper understanding of ecological economics and its significance in promoting sustainability.
Provides a comprehensive review of the health consequences of climate change, covering heat-related disorders, infectious diseases, malnutrition, mental health impacts, and more. It also discusses mitigation and adaptation strategies and policies. With contributions from numerous experts and a recent publication date, it's an essential resource for understanding a critical contemporary environmental health issue.
Written from a physician's perspective, this book clarifies the science and potential health threats of climate change in an accessible way. It covers a range of health impacts, making the concept of climate change relatable through its effects on human well-being. This valuable book for gaining a contemporary understanding of a major environmental health challenge.
This report by former World Bank chief economist Nicholas Stern assesses the economic impacts of climate change and explores policy options for mitigating and adapting to climate change. It has been highly influential in shaping global climate policies.
Examines environmental racism and the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on marginalized communities in the United States. It uses case studies to illustrate how race and class influence environmental exposures and residential patterns. This crucial book for understanding the social determinants of environmental health and contemporary environmental justice issues.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to environmental health, covering a wide range of topics from traditional areas like air and water quality to broader issues such as climate change and the built environment. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions and is suitable for gaining a broad understanding of the field. The book offers a multi-faceted view with global and local perspectives.
Examines environmental injustices in the current political and environmental climate, highlighting mobilizations and movements for environmental justice. It explores dispossession, deregulation, privatization, and inequality in relation to environmental health. This highly relevant book for understanding contemporary environmental justice struggles and their roots.
This textbook provides a comprehensive view of environmental risk assessment with a toxicological approach, covering problem formulation, exposure, toxicity, and risk characterization for both human health and ecological risk. The second edition includes updated information and new software/platforms. It's a core text for those needing to develop, conduct, and interpret risk assessments, crucial for deepening understanding in this applied area.
This text offers a clear and comprehensive study of the major topics in environmental health, including environmental epidemiology, toxicology, policy, and specific environmental diseases and applications. It's designed as an introductory textbook, making it excellent for students and professionals seeking foundational knowledge to solidify their understanding of the field's core concepts and tools.
This textbook comprehensive resource on the unique susceptibilities of children to environmental hazards and the profound impacts of chemical, biological, physical, and societal factors on child health. It covers new discoveries and guides effective interventions. This crucial book for anyone focusing on the specific environmental health concerns of children.
This textbook provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of environmental justice, a dynamic field in environmental politics. It explores the foundations, concepts, debates, and historical milestones, including issues like climate justice and energy justice. It's an ideal introductory text for understanding the social and equity dimensions of environmental health.
Offers a visionary and practical approach to addressing the climate crisis by weaving together solutions that consider justice, climate, biodiversity, equity, and human dignity. It describes the burgeoning regeneration movement and provides actions for individuals and communities. It's a compelling read for understanding contemporary solutions and movements in environmental health and sustainability.
Drawing on multiple disciplines, this comprehensive text introduces the principles and methods for assessing and managing environmental health risks. It provides an overview of the scientific basis of environmental health hazards, risk assessment, and risk management, and discusses the link between environmental health and sustainable development. is valuable for gaining a broad, interdisciplinary understanding.
A classic of environmental literature, this book combines lyrical nature writing with the articulation of a 'land ethic,' advocating for a respectful relationship between humans and the natural world. While not a textbook, its philosophical reflections are foundational to understanding environmental values and conservation, which underpin environmental health efforts.
By Elizabeth Kolbert Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the current extinction crisis. Kolbert travels the world to meet with scientists who are studying the disappearance of species, and she provides a vivid and disturbing portrait of the impact that humans are having on the planet's biodiversity.
Explores the fundamentals of environmental health with a global perspective, incorporating real-life readings and data sets from both developed and developing countries. It is geared towards undergraduate and graduate students, providing a solid grounding in current issues and controversies. The case studies help illustrate concepts in different contexts, adding breadth to understanding.
This comprehensive introductory textbook covers environmental toxicology from the molecular to the ecosystem level. It discusses basic to advanced concepts, methods, and approaches, as well as the toxicology of specific substances and complex issues. It includes case studies and exercises, making it a useful reference and learning tool for deepening understanding of how chemicals affect living organisms and the environment.
Blends memoir, science, and Indigenous wisdom to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world, specifically plants. The author deftly shares knowledge of traditional ecological knowledge through storytelling and scientific research. This book offers a unique and nuanced perspective of nature, the environment, and sustainability.
By Bill McKibben powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which human activities are altering the planet's ecosystems. McKibben argues that we are entering a new era in which the natural world will no longer be able to support human life as we know it.
Introduces the 'doughnut economics' framework, which proposes a new way of thinking about economic prosperity that balances social and ecological sustainability.
Is an updated version of the groundbreaking study 'Limits to Growth', published in 1972. It analyzes the global environmental and economic trends and argues that the current trajectory of economic growth is unsustainable and will eventually lead to collapse.
Focusing on human disorders and ecotoxicology, this handbook provides authoritative reviews and case studies on major toxins from biological sources, pollutants, and radiation. It explores cutting-edge research and future developments, offering extensive coverage of toxicants of current and future concern. is valuable for advanced students and researchers looking to deepen their understanding of specific toxic agents and their impacts.
Through striking photography and graphics, this atlas surveys the issue of plastic pollution in the oceans and its impacts on wildlife and human health. It also highlights initiatives to tackle the problem. is valuable for understanding a significant contemporary environmental health issue and potential solutions.
By Alan Weisman thought-provoking exploration of what would happen to the planet if humans were to disappear. Weisman argues that the Earth would be better off without us.
Provides a technical guide to sustainable construction, with a focus on the materials and technologies used in sustainable buildings. It is written by two experts in the field with over 30 years of experience.
Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable energy systems, covering the principles, technologies, and economics of sustainable energy systems. It is written by an expert in the field with over 30 years of experience.
Critically examines the concept of the 'green economy' and explores alternative approaches to sustainable development. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the political and economic challenges of transitioning to a sustainable and equitable future.
By Jared Diamond examines the collapse of past civilizations and argues that environmental degradation major factor in societal decline. Diamond provides a wealth of historical evidence to support his thesis, and his book valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the long-term consequences of environmental mismanagement.
By Bill McKibben passionate and personal account of the climate crisis. McKibben argues that we need to change our way of life if we want to save the planet.
By E.O. Wilson sweeping and ambitious work that explores the future of life on Earth. Wilson argues that we need to protect the planet's biodiversity if we want to ensure our own survival.
By Naomi Klein powerful and provocative indictment of capitalism and its role in driving the climate crisis. Klein argues that we cannot solve the climate crisis without addressing the systemic problems of our economic system.
Collection of essays by leading climate activists, scientists, and writers. The essays provide a diverse range of perspectives on the climate crisis, and they offer a powerful call to action.
By Amitav Ghosh powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which climate change is changing our world. Ghosh argues that we need to find new ways to think about climate change if we want to find solutions to the crisis.
Explores the ethical implications of new technologies, and argues for a more responsible approach to innovation. It is particularly helpful for understanding the challenges of governing new technologies and for developing policies that promote responsible innovation.
Explores the future of responsible innovation, and identifies the key challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It is particularly helpful for those who are interested in the long-term implications of responsible innovation and for those who are looking for ways to shape the future of responsible innovation.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/zt65rd/sustainability
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