Five ways the CSO can reduce emissions and energy consumption
In today's corporate landscape, sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern – it is a central tenet of responsible and forward-looking business strategy. At the heart of this evolution stands the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), a role that has transitioned from a niche position to a core leadership role within many organisations. The CSO is tasked with guiding a company’s environmental strategy, ensuring long-term ecological and economic health. A significant part of this responsibility involves evaluating and improving the sustainability of building and company infrastructure.
As businesses face increasing pressure from regulators, investors, customers and employees to operate more sustainably, CSOs must play a hands-on role in assessing the environmental status of their organisation’s physical assets. Buildings – often major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption – are among the most critical elements in a company’s sustainability profile.
The CSO's role in environmental infrastructure assessment
A CSO's involvement in infrastructure evaluation goes beyond merely reviewing energy bills or recycling initiatives. They must take a strategic, data-driven approach that encompasses the full lifecycle of buildings and systems – design, construction, operation and eventual decommissioning. Here are key areas in which the CSO contributes to environmental assessment and improvement:
1. Baseline assessment and benchmarking
The CSO should spearhead initiatives to assess the current environmental performance of company facilities. This involves collecting data on energy use, water consumption, emissions, waste generation and other environmental indicators. Using benchmarking tools like ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager or LEED performance reports allows for a clear understanding of where the company stands relative to peers.
2. Cross-functional collaboration
The CSO acts as a bridge between sustainability goals and operational execution. Working closely with facility managers, architects, engineers, procurement teams and IT, the CSO ensures that environmental considerations are integrated into decision-making processes.
3. Policy development and compliance monitoring
Ensuring that infrastructure complies with environmental regulations and aligns with international standards such as ISO 14001 or the Science Based Targets initiative is a key task. The CSO helps set internal policies and auditing mechanisms to uphold these standards.
4. Technology integration
CSOs play a vital role in identifying and deploying technology solutions that improve sustainability – ranging from smart building sensors to AI-driven energy management systems. Their technical insight can guide investments in innovations that yield significant environmental returns.
5. Stakeholder engagement and reporting
The CSO communicates sustainability goals and progress to stakeholders, both internal and external. Transparent reporting builds trust and can help attract green-minded investors and clients.
Five ways the CSO can reduce emissions and energy consumption
Beyond assessment, the CSO must lead the charge in implementing tangible improvements. Here are five impactful ways a CSO can drive reductions in emissions, energy use and overall environmental footprint:
1. Drive green building certifications and retrofitting initiatives
Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, making them a top priority for sustainability efforts. CSOs can initiate certification processes like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), WELL or BREEAM for new and existing facilities. Even without full certification, adopting their principles can lead to substantial gains in energy and resource efficiency.
Older buildings can be upgraded through retrofitting – installing high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, improved insulation and low-flow water fixtures. These upgrades not only reduce emissions but often result in significant cost savings.
2. Champion renewable energy adoption
CSOs are ideally positioned to advocate for transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This could involve:
- Purchasing green power through renewable energy certificates (RECs).
- Installing on-site solar or wind systems.
- Entering into power purchase agreements (PPAs) for off-site renewable energy.
CSOs can also explore integrating battery storage systems and microgrids to enhance energy resilience and sustainability.
3. Implement energy management systems and smart technologies
Real-time monitoring and intelligent systems can dramatically reduce energy consumption. CSOs should promote the implementation of energy management software that integrates data from various systems – lighting, HVAC, occupancy sensors and machinery – to optimise usage patterns.
Smart thermostats, automated lighting controls and predictive maintenance algorithms can fine-tune energy consumption, leading to reduced waste and lower carbon footprints.
4. Promote sustainable supply chain and procurement practices
Infrastructure sustainability is not limited to physical buildings – it extends to the materials and services used. CSOs can work with procurement teams to:
- Source eco-friendly materials with low embodied carbon.
- Choose local suppliers to reduce transportation emissions.
- Set sustainability requirements for vendors, such as ISO certifications or carbon disclosure.
Embedding sustainability into procurement helps reduce indirect emissions (Scope 3) and fosters a culture of environmental responsibility throughout the value chain.
5. Encourage behavioral change and green culture across the organisation
Technology and policy are crucial, but human behavior plays a huge role in sustainability. CSOs can lead awareness campaigns, training programs and incentive structures that encourage employees to adopt green practices – such as turning off equipment when not in use, minimising single-use plastics and using public or shared transportation.
Some companies have introduced “green teams” or sustainability ambassadors in different departments to localise efforts and maintain momentum. Gamification, recognition programs and transparent tracking of sustainability metrics can further motivate behavioral change.
Building a sustainable future
As companies respond to the green transition, the CSO must be both a visionary and a pragmatist. They need to align environmental initiatives with business goals –demonstrating that sustainability is not just about ethics, but about long-term value creation.
A well-executed environmental strategy can improve a company’s brand reputation, attract top talent, mitigate regulatory risks and even open new revenue streams through sustainable products and services. Moreover, investing in sustainable infrastructure can lead to cost savings and operational efficiencies, reinforcing the business case for environmental responsibility.
CSOs must also prepare their organisations for the future by adopting a systems-thinking approach – recognising the interconnectedness of environmental, social and economic systems. This includes preparing for climate-related risks, fostering resilience and supporting equity and inclusion in sustainability initiatives.
Conclusion
The role of the Chief Sustainability Officer is rapidly evolving, with increasing expectations for leadership in infrastructure assessment and environmental performance. Through strategic planning, technological adoption, cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement, CSOs are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change.
By focusing on infrastructure – the literal foundation of most business operations – CSOs can make lasting improvements to a company’s environmental footprint. Their actions not only contribute to the global fight against climate change but also help future-proof their organisations in a world where sustainability is fast becoming synonymous with success.
