SOP 2020

big audience hall with chairs and people listening to presentation

State of the Sustainability Profession 2021

The State of the Sustainability Profession 2020

The kick-off event of the 5th edition of “The State of the Sustainability Profession” (SOP) was held on September 15^th. Due to COVID-19, this year’s event is now transformed into multiple online events and workshops spread across numerous dates. The Sustainability University has decided to change the setting as we do not want to put unnecessary pressure on public transport to come together in Amersfoort, where the past State of the Sustainability Profession events took place.

Find out what the State of the Sustainability Profession 2019 was like here.

Get Your Tickets Here

Room filled with participants and presenter of event

Don’t miss out on your chance to meet experienced colleagues online, exchange knowledge and learn from each other. Each session enables conversations on a peer-to-peer level with sustainability professionals across different industries – it connects us all through the denominator of the profession of sustainability professional. The program is tailormade, based on survey results we received from the past State of the Sustainability Profession. This 5^th edition was organized by the Sustainability University.

You were not able to attend the kick-off event of this year’s State of the Sustainability Profession on the 15th of September? Don’t worry!

In cooperation with Circl and Pakhuis de Zwijger, we recorded the kick-off session.

Watch the recording and download the presentations below.

Recording State of the Sustainability Profession 2020 + Recordings

AGENDA

This year’s Lustrum edition of State of the Sustainability Profession is dedicated to Circular Economy skills and how to be successful as a CSR or sustainability manager, revealing the latest insights regarding CE and embedding sustainability in various business processes. In addition, during the kick-off session we will share insights on the impact of COVID on the sustainability profession. As the State of the Sustainability Profession Survey is an essential part of the event to make it as relevant for you as possible, please don’t forget to fill in the survey if not done yet.

SOP Survey 2020

ONLINE KICK-OFF | 15 SEPTEMBER 2020

Kick-off of the State of the Sustainability Profession

ONLINE WORKSHOPS | OCTOBER

Four (free) different online workshops organized in small groups of max. 18 participants to allow for a peer2peer learning environment.

TRAINING & WHITEPAPER | NOVEMBER

In november we will organise a training on Circular Economy competences and system thinking for all business professionals. Furthermore, we will publish our White paper on CE Competencies.

KICK-OFF AND WORKSHOPS

KICK-OFF (ONLINE)

15. September 2020 || 15:00 - 16:30

This event was hosted as live cast in cooperation with Circl and Pakhuis de Zwijger. You can watch the recording by clicking on the button beow.

The (free) kick-off online event. Unlimited spots available.

State of the Sustainability Profession 2020: Sustainable Success – When are you successful as a sustainability manager?

The topics of the agenda are

Outcome of annual SOP survey and reflection with Geanne van Arkel and Dirk Bijl de Vroe (Stedin)
Embedding sustainability in different businesses processes
Interview with Jacobine Das Gupta (DSM)
Circular economy competencies by (Sustainability University)
Sustainability after COVID-19

LINK TO KICK-OFF RECORDING

WORKSHOP 1 (ONLINE)

7. October || 16:00 - 17:00 || 18 spots available

Online peer2peer learning workshop (NL/ENG): Embedding sustainability in the public affairs function by Talitha Koek (GVB) and Reinout (ProRail). In this workshop we explore your role as a sustainability professional in the public affairs field.

WORKSHOP 2 (ONLINE)

13. October || 16:00 - 17:00 || 18 spots available

Online peer2peer learning workshop (NL/ENG): Strategic role and international perspective by Anniek Mauser (Unilever Benelux). During this workshop, Anniek will help you to better understand the strategic role and internationality of sustainability, based on her own experiences.

WORKSHOP 3 (ONLINE)

14. October || 16:00 - 17:00 || 18 spots available

Online peer2peer learning workshop (NL): Case study & discussie: Samenwerking in de bouwketen voor duurzame(re) impact door Yoeri Schenau (Arcadis) en André Nijhof (Nyrode Business University). Cooperating with other companies can be very beneficial to improve your business’ sustainable impact. But how does it work?

WORKSHOP 4 (ONLINE)

27. Oktober || 16:00 - 17:00 || 18 spots available

Online peer2peer learning workshop (NL): Online best practice sharing: Stimulerende rol en draagvlak door Geanne van Arkel. How do you play a stimulating role and support the sustainability of your business? Geanne will share her best practices in the context of sustainable business development.

TRAINING: More effective system thinking in Circular Economy (ONLINE & IN DUTCH)

10. November || 15:30 - 17:00 || 12 spots available

Research by the Sustainability University shows that the transition to a circular economy requires more systems thinkers. Systems thinking is a competence that is not yet widely available in the selection and development of professionals. Systems thinking is the most important competence for the transition to the circular economy.

If you want to become (more) skilled at this, register for this online training. It will give you insight into your own competence and knowledge about the use of system thinking. Trainers Carola Wijdoogen and Elfrieke van Galen will familiarize you with systems thinking, determine how skilled you already are and use case systems thinking based on a circular economy. This training is for all business professionals who want to work in companies to accelerate the circular economy. A short preparation is requested in advance. Note: the workshop will be held in Dutch.

Publication White paper

tba || time tba

Official publication of the White paper on CE Competencies, based on the research by the Sustainability University in corporation with competency expert GITP/PiCompany and supported by the Golschmeding Foundation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does the event take?

The SOP 2020 kick-off event takes place on the 15th of September from 15:00 – 16:30 (Amsterdam time). The date and time slots of the different workshops are specified in the agenda above. In case you are in doubt, please feel free to contact and ask about the event.

What COVID-19 safety measures are you adopting?

Due to COVID-19 this year’s ‘State Of the sustainability Profession’ is now transformed into multiple online events and workshops spread across numerous dates. The Sustainability University has decided to change the setting as there is currently no certainty whether events of this size are feasible in September, moreover we do not want to put unnecessary pressure on public transport to come together in Amersfoort. For the events online we do not have to implement specific measures as you can comfortably join the workshops from home. For the offline events in November we will give you more detailed information once the date is closer.

Feel free to reach out to us in case you have any doubt about COVID-19 measures and would like us to clarify anything.

How do I know whether I am allowed to join the event?

This event is exclusive for sustainability professionals. Doubting whether you can meet the requirements? Do not hesitate to send us an email: info@sustainabilityuniversity.org

Where does the event take place?

Due to COVID-19, this year’s event is now transformed into multiple online events and workshops spread across numerous dates. The Sustainability University has decided to change the setting as there is currently no certainty whether events of this size are feasible in September, moreover we do not want to put unnecessary pressure on public transport to come together in Amersfoort. All events take place online, except for the CE competences and skills workshops; these take place in Utrecht and Amsterdam.

Do I have to prepare something?

Please fill in the short State of the Sustainability Profession Survey. By filling in the survey you allow us to create a tailor-made event and specifically target your and your colleagues’ areas of interest / concern.

Other than that: No need to prepare anything. Just bring an open mind and enjoy the workshops and interesting discussions with your peers!

How much do I have to pay for a ticket?

Nothing. Yes, you have read that correctly. The online events are all for free, for the two offline workshops we ask for a contribution for compensation (both offline events include lunch; 30.25€ incl. BTW.).

I already bought a ticket but am unable to attend - what can I do?

No worries, you can pass your ticket on to your colleague or employee. Please send an email with the following information: Name + Job title of both you and your colleague / employee to info@sustainabilityuniversity.org

Note: In case you brought a ticket for the original event, please send us an email and we will fully refund you.

I wanted to buy a ticket for one of the workshops but they are all sold out - What can I do?

In case you would like to join a specific workshop but all tickets are already sold out, please send an email to info@sustainabilityuniversity.org with the following information: Your name, job title and the workshop (including date and time) you would like to join.

We are happy to put your name on the waiting list (first come, first served) and inform you in case a spot gets free.

Note: The kick-off event on the 15th of September (15:00-16:30) is free and accessible for everyone (unlimited spots available).

Did we leave any of your questions unanswered? Feel free to reach out to us via welcome@sustainabilityuniversity.org.

Our team is looking forward to welcoming you on the 15th of September!