The Sustainability Officer: Construction’s Newest Must-Have Role
By James Morton
In boardrooms across the corporate world, the role of Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is already well established. Yet in construction and real estate—a sector responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions—the rise of the sustainability officer is still relatively new. That is now changing at speed. As clients, investors, and regulators demand credible environmental and social performance, firms are discovering that having a dedicated professional to lead on sustainability is no longer optional. It has become construction’s newest must-have role.
Bridging Strategy and Practice
What makes the sustainability officer so vital is their ability to bridge two worlds: the high-level ambitions of ESG strategies and the practical realities of project delivery. On one day, they might be setting corporate carbon reduction targets, aligning with frameworks such as CSRD, IFRS S2, or GRESB. On another, they are walking construction sites, advising teams on waste segregation, material selection, or sourcing suppliers of low-carbon concrete.
The role requires both vision and pragmatism. It is about ensuring that board-level commitments to net zero, biodiversity, or social value are translated into credible, measurable actions on the ground. Without this, firms risk accusations of greenwashing, missed opportunities for cost savings, and, increasingly, non-compliance with emerging regulations.
A Day in the Life
To see the role in action, imagine a day in the life of a sustainability director at a major contractor. Her morning begins by reviewing a competitive bid, ensuring that the methodology aligns with the client’s green procurement requirements and demonstrates clear pathways to achieving BREEAM Excellent. Mid-morning, she sits down with design managers to integrate a circular economy plan, mapping how demolition materials from one site can be reused in another. In the afternoon, she convenes a workshop with the C-suite to explore the firm’s climate risks—modelling scenarios for rising insurance costs, material shortages, and flood vulnerabilities, and shaping long-term strategy.
By the end of the day, she has spoken to investors about ESG reporting, advised project teams on practical low-carbon solutions, and influenced senior leadership on resilience planning. It is a role that requires fluency across the entire ecosystem of construction, from procurement and design through to finance and governance.
Who Are These Professionals?
Many sustainability officers in construction come from engineering or environmental science backgrounds, bringing with them technical knowledge of carbon accounting, life cycle assessment, and green building certification schemes such as LEED and BREEAM. Others are specialists in social impact or governance, ensuring firms can demonstrate strong labour practices, diversity commitments, and transparent reporting. Increasingly, the role requires not only technical expertise but also strong communication skills—able to liaise with architects, site managers, investors, and regulators in equal measure.
Why the Role Matters
The rationale for appointing sustainability leads is clear. First, clients now demand it. Public sector procurement increasingly requires detailed carbon reduction methodologies, social value plans, and circular economy strategies. Private clients, too, are under pressure to demonstrate ESG credentials to their investors and stakeholders, and they pass that expectation directly onto their contractors.
Second, regulations require it. From the UK’s minimum energy efficiency standards to EU disclosure rules, firms must comply with an expanding web of sustainability obligations. Without someone dedicated to keeping pace, companies risk non-compliance, fines, and reputational damage.
Third, the business case is undeniable. Energy efficiency measures save costs. Smarter material choices reduce embodied carbon and waste. A strong sustainability record differentiates firms in a competitive market, helping to secure bids and attract top talent. Reputation, once a soft asset, is now a key determinant of commercial success.
From Nice-to-Have to Must-Have
The construction industry has reached an inflection point. In an era where ESG considerations shape investment flows, regulatory regimes, and client decisions, sustainability cannot be left to ad hoc initiatives or passionate individuals acting in isolation. It requires leadership, coordination, and accountability—precisely what a dedicated sustainability officer provides.
Conclusion: Time to Act
For firms that have not yet empowered someone in this role, the message is simple: now is the time. A sustainability officer is not an overhead but an investment in competitiveness, compliance, and credibility. They are the link between lofty net-zero goals and the day-to-day realities of design, procurement, and construction.
In the years ahead, the firms that thrive will be those that have made sustainability central to their identity, backed by dedicated leadership. Construction’s newest must-have role is here to stay—and those who embrace it will find themselves better prepared for a future where building green is no longer a choice, but a necessity.
References:
UK Green Building Council. (2024). The Business Case for Sustainability in Construction.
BRE. (2024). ESG Skills and the Changing Role of Professionals in Real Estate.
World Economic Forum. (2025). Leadership for a Net Zero Built Environment.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). (2025). Sustainability Leadership in Practice.