New Zealand has launched the seventh annual survey tracking trends among sustainability professionals, focusing on pay, skills, wellbeing, and career pathways.
The survey, led by Oxygen Consulting with AUT, the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), and the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), runs from 2 February to 2 March and targets professionals with part-time or full-time sustainability responsibilities across public, private, and not-for-profit organisations.
This year’s survey examines remuneration, gender pay equity, professional competencies, capability development, succession planning, and support requirements for sustainability roles. Sarah Holden, founder of Oxygen Consulting, said:
“Year on year, this research continues to reveal not just how the sustainability profession in Aotearoa is evolving, but also where it’s being stretched and strengthened. At a time when sustainability has sometimes been dismissed as ‘woke’ or sidelined amid economic and political noise, this research provides a much-needed reality check.”
Experts note that sustainability professionals face rising expectations even as organisational support remains limited.
“Some organisations have quietly stepped back as pressure has eased, while genuine leaders are leaning in for the long term. They understand that acting on climate and nature, as well as investing in innovation, aren’t ‘nice to haves’, but essential to building resilient, attractive businesses,” Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network stated.
The survey’s main goal is to give organisations, educators, and industry leaders data to shape skills development, wellbeing support, and succession pathways. Mike Burrell, SBC chief executive, said:
“Each year the findings unpack critical insights for business leaders, revealing how the profession is evolving and highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing those working at the forefront of sustainability.”
AUT Professor Marjo Lips-Wiersma added that the longitudinal nature of the research allows for tracking trends over time:
“Because of the longitudinal nature of this research and the wonderful ongoing participation of our research participants, we are in a unique position to identify patterns of what stays the same, where SOs see new opportunities and where opportunities are lost in the short term. We also identify how these current times affect SO career progress, energy and wellbeing over time.”