Sustainability

A truly sustainable global economy is integral to the future of our planet. Through delivering economic, environmental and social sustainability, we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

We have extensive experience working with world-leading corporates, consultancies, non-profits and NGOs across multiple industry sectors, recruiting talent to help them deliver their sustainability objectives.

We provide career opportunities for professionals involved in defining sustainability strategies, as well as implementing them at a practical level.

The scope of our experience covers sustainability, ESG and Net-Zero strategies, science-based target setting and reduction plans, compliance & reporting, communications, supply chain management, carbon offsetting, as well as energy management.

Corporate Sustainability

Sustainability Consulting

Sustainable Finance

Energy Management

Energy Flexibility

Climate Change

Sustainability vacancies

Sustainability success stories

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Sustainability

Finding FirstGroup’s Environmental Manager

Decarbonising transport is one of the toughest challenges currently facing the UK Government. Transport is the biggest polluter, responsible for 27% (in 2019) of UK greenhouse gas emissions, excluding shipping and aviation. The case for transport decarbonisation goes well beyond lowered GHG emissions and road decongestion, affecting air quality and health. 

FirstGroup plays a key role in accelerating the transition to low-carbon transport. This fits within the company’s ambition to be the partner of choice for innovative and sustainable transport for a zero-carbon future. In December 2019, FirstGroup approached Climate17 for help with identifying an Environmental Manager who could continue to lead and deliver their successful sustainability programme.

Climate17’s mission is to bridge the gap between ‘business as usual’ and a regenerative world, by bringing together purpose-driven people and organisations. We support small businesses and large organisations, such as FirstGroup, alike. We felt honoured to be able to support FirstGroup to continue to lead and innovate to create carbon-free cities. 

About FirstGroup – Key Information

  • FirstGroup is a British global transport services provider headquartered in Scotland. They operate transport services in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. 
  • Transporting over two billion people every year, their services help create strong, vibrant, and sustainable local economies. 
  • First Group works with national governments, local authorities, schools and universities to meet their transport needs. 

 

Understanding The Main Challenges and Deliverables 

Sustainability markets are booming. As a result, finding experienced talent that is available and willing to move roles is ever more challenging. We worked in close partnership with FirstGroup to further understand their requirements and help them to build a competitive, attractive package. Given the urgency of FirstGroup’s requirement, we focussed on understanding the challenges and planning ways to overcome them. 

The main challenges presented by the brief were finding a candidate who was able to start immediately and be willing to work on a contract basis, as maternity cover. As well as this, they required someone who had both corporate and consultancy project experience, making the pool of suitable candidates considerably smaller. 

The main objectives were to find a candidate who could:

  • Lead on a wide variety of environmental challenges and opportunities including environmental management systems, competency and training frameworks, and operating procedures. 
  • Ensure carbon reduction, energy efficiency, fuel, water and waste management were effectively managed through stakeholder engagement and appropriate governance structures.

 

Finding FirstGroup’s Environmental Manager 

Climate17 conducted a full market search, to identify the best suitable candidates available in the market. Thanks to our longstanding and exclusively referred networks, and despite the challenge of time and the role being a 12-month FTC, we were able to quickly identify, approach and engage several passive high calibre candidates, and present FirstGroup with an extensive shortlist. We conducted in-depth biographical and competency interviews to ensure candidates had sufficient technical background, as well as commercial acumen. 

Climate17 supported the entire recruitment process. We kept an open and honest dialogue with FirstGroup throughout and provided extensive and objective insights into candidates’ potential for success, as well as areas requiring further development. We provided candidates with in-depth constructive feedback after each interview and closely supported them throughout the interview stages.  

The Outcome and Impact 

Thanks to the time and effort we invested in thoroughly understanding FirstGroup’s business, culture and expectations, we were able to swiftly identify the right candidate within one week of taking the brief. Our preferred candidate was hired after the first interview, securing FirstGroup their Environmental Manager within one month of engaging with Climate17. Climate17 is still a trusted partner of FirstGroup and continues to support the growth of their sustainability team, which delivers world-class results across all areas of their business. The team is continuing to drive the company’s innovative sustainability agenda, with an increasing number of low carbon and electric vehicles rolled out in several cities including Glasgow and Aberdeen. 

To discuss how we can help you with similar requirements, please contact David Ward at dward@climate17.com. David is an Associate Director and leads our Sustainability practice.

Learn more
Sustainability

Finding FirstGroup’s Environmental Manager

Decarbonising transport is one of the toughest challenges currently facing the UK Government. Transport is the biggest polluter, responsible for 27% (in 2019) of UK greenhouse gas emissions, excluding shipping and aviation. The case for transport decarbonisation goes well beyond lowered GHG emissions and road decongestion, affecting air quality and health. 

FirstGroup plays a key role in accelerating the transition to low-carbon transport. This fits within the company’s ambition to be the partner of choice for innovative and sustainable transport for a zero-carbon future. In December 2019, FirstGroup approached Climate17 for help with identifying an Environmental Manager who could continue to lead and deliver their successful sustainability programme.

Climate17’s mission is to bridge the gap between ‘business as usual’ and a regenerative world, by bringing together purpose-driven people and organisations. We support small businesses and large organisations, such as FirstGroup, alike. We felt honoured to be able to support FirstGroup to continue to lead and innovate to create carbon-free cities. 

About FirstGroup – Key Information

  • FirstGroup is a British global transport services provider headquartered in Scotland. They operate transport services in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. 
  • Transporting over two billion people every year, their services help create strong, vibrant, and sustainable local economies. 
  • First Group works with national governments, local authorities, schools and universities to meet their transport needs. 

 

Understanding The Main Challenges and Deliverables 

Sustainability markets are booming. As a result, finding experienced talent that is available and willing to move roles is ever more challenging. We worked in close partnership with FirstGroup to further understand their requirements and help them to build a competitive, attractive package. Given the urgency of FirstGroup’s requirement, we focussed on understanding the challenges and planning ways to overcome them. 

The main challenges presented by the brief were finding a candidate who was able to start immediately and be willing to work on a contract basis, as maternity cover. As well as this, they required someone who had both corporate and consultancy project experience, making the pool of suitable candidates considerably smaller. 

The main objectives were to find a candidate who could:

  • Lead on a wide variety of environmental challenges and opportunities including environmental management systems, competency and training frameworks, and operating procedures. 
  • Ensure carbon reduction, energy efficiency, fuel, water and waste management were effectively managed through stakeholder engagement and appropriate governance structures.

 

Finding FirstGroup’s Environmental Manager 

Climate17 conducted a full market search, to identify the best suitable candidates available in the market. Thanks to our longstanding and exclusively referred networks, and despite the challenge of time and the role being a 12-month FTC, we were able to quickly identify, approach and engage several passive high calibre candidates, and present FirstGroup with an extensive shortlist. We conducted in-depth biographical and competency interviews to ensure candidates had sufficient technical background, as well as commercial acumen. 

Climate17 supported the entire recruitment process. We kept an open and honest dialogue with FirstGroup throughout and provided extensive and objective insights into candidates’ potential for success, as well as areas requiring further development. We provided candidates with in-depth constructive feedback after each interview and closely supported them throughout the interview stages.  

The Outcome and Impact 

Thanks to the time and effort we invested in thoroughly understanding FirstGroup’s business, culture and expectations, we were able to swiftly identify the right candidate within one week of taking the brief. Our preferred candidate was hired after the first interview, securing FirstGroup their Environmental Manager within one month of engaging with Climate17. Climate17 is still a trusted partner of FirstGroup and continues to support the growth of their sustainability team, which delivers world-class results across all areas of their business. The team is continuing to drive the company’s innovative sustainability agenda, with an increasing number of low carbon and electric vehicles rolled out in several cities including Glasgow and Aberdeen. 

To discuss how we can help you with similar requirements, please contact David Ward at dward@climate17.com. David is an Associate Director and leads our Sustainability practice.

Learn more

Our impact in their words

“Climate17 have brought a refreshing approach and personal style to what can often be a challenging recruitment environment.”

"Climate17 have been proactive, friendly, extremely helpful and always go the extra mile. They also work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. They have made my life easier on numerous occasions for which I can’t thank them enough and I look forward to continuing to work together."

- HR Manager, Energy & Sustainability Consultancy

“Climate17’s help was essential in finding me a new role.”

"They proactively targeted specific companies that we both believed were ideal for my professional development and managed to get me interviews with them. Their positive approach proved very efficient and allowed me to get job offers in a relatively short amount of time. I would definitely go back to Climate17 for my next role."

- Senior Sustainability Consultant

“We work with Climate17 to help us with our requirements in Infrastructure and Energy Surveying.”

"They have helped us fill multiple positions over the past 18 months, from Senior Surveyor to Partner level. Climate17 are able to find and attract hard-to-find people to meet our growing needs."

- Partner, National Surveying & Property Firm

“Climate17 makes finding and attaining the perfect role look easy.”

"David has been there every step of the way, from taking the time to understand my career goals and past experience, targeting the right companies, securing interviews on my behalf and supporting me through the process of resigning and onboarding. David is professional, perceptive and efficient. I would definitely use Climate17 again in the future."

- Sustainability Consultant

“A very big thank you to David Ward from Climate17 for his support, insight and astuteness.”

"Sustainability, is so fast-moving, involving multiple disciplines within this field making it incredibly hard going for recruiters. However, David took the time to understand the person I am, what I am about and how I want to progress, likewise for clients. The right level of support to me continued throughout the process and is much appreciated. Thank you."

- Associate Sustainability Consultant – Global Property Strategist

“You couldn’t find a better a recruitment company.”

"Working with David at Climate17 has been a pleasure, from the moment we talked on the phone, to finding the right job for me and where I am in my career. Always professional, jovial and caring."

- ESG and Sustainability Manager – The Ansor Group

“My experience with Climate17 exceeded all of my expectations.”

“David Ward didn’t just find me an incredible new opportunity, but offered professional and friendly guidance throughout the whole process. From his calming influence before interviews to being an excited ear after, I credit my success in securing my new position to David and his talent for purpose-led recruitment.”

- Sustainability Manager – International Broadcaster

“I am the People Director for a business becoming a leader in the cleantech and renewables industry.”

"We have had several exciting opportunities for experienced, dynamic and innovative individuals to join a successful, acquisitive SME business on a rapid growth curve. We have been working closely with David and the team, who have been instrumental in providing talented candidates."

- People Director – The Ansor Group

“David is such a genuine and authentic recruiter; it has been a pleasure to work with him.”

"David recently supported us in the search for a Sustainability Manager. His knowledge, contacts and insights were highly impressive. He is dedicated to being an SME in the Sustainability and Environment space, he gives a truly unique candidate and client experience. I would not hesitate if you are looking to utilise David’s expertise to hire into your business."
 

- Talent Acquisition Partner – The Yum Yum Group

“David was very proactive and made sure he really understood the role, as well as the culture of the company before connecting us with very strong candidates.”

"He helped us through the whole recruiting process and we are very happy with the outcome."

- Head of Sustainability – International Broadcaster

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