....When ESG Stops Trending?

You’ve probably noticed the shift.

A few years ago, ESG was everywhere. Companies were announcing bold net-zero goals, new roles were being created with “sustainability” in the title, and those in the supply chain were being told: this is your moment.

Fast forward to now, and it feels... quieter.

Some firms are softening their commitments. ESG is becoming politicised. And across planning, procurement, and logistics teams, the questions are starting to sound familiar:

Is it still worth leaning into sustainability? Is this something to build a career around?

The excitement may be fading, but the work is getting more real. Behind the headlines, the pressure hasn’t let up, it’s just moved deeper into the supply chain. Regulators, investors, and customers continue to push for action. They’re just looking for it in a different place now: not in bold statements, but in day-to-day decisions.

Short answer to the above questions: Yes! But it looks different now. Less slogans, more systems. Less promise, more proof. And that shift is where the opportunity lies.

Which brings us to the real story.

1. ESG Talent Demand: The Signal Beneath the Noise

While the headlines debate ESG’s future, skills and hiring trends tell a clearer story, especially within the supply chain.

Demand is rising for practical, ESG-aligned expertise. And much of it is aimed at professionals who understand the complexities of suppliers, logistics, procurement, and planning.

Here’s what the numbers show:

• Sustainable Procurement Is the Fastest-Growing Green Skill. Between 2023 and 2024, adoption of sustainable procurement skills rose by 15%, making it the fastest-growing green skill globally, directly tied to supply chain and supplier engagement. ESG News

• 94% of Companies Say They Don’t Have Enough ESG-Ready People. Nearly every company surveyed reports a talent gap in executing ESG plans, particularly in supply chain and operations. World Economic Forum

• By 2030, 150 Million Workers Will Need Sustainability Training. Much of that demand will land on supply chain functions, where emissions, risk, and impact are most concentrated. BCG

The roles of the future may not say “sustainability” in the title, but the skills will be essential.

2. The Mid-Level Gap: Where ESG Lives or Dies

Here’s what no one tells you on day one of an ESG strategy: The people who set the targets aren’t the ones placing orders, sourcing materials, or managing supplier trade-offs.

That’s where YOU come in.

Mid-level professionals, especially in planning, logistics, procurement, and operations, make decisions every day that directly affect a company’s environmental and social footprint. But too often, you’re not invited to the sustainability conversation.

That’s changing. Organisations are starting to realise they don’t just need more strategy—they need more execution. And that happens in the middle.

3. Sustainability Isn’t Dead. It’s Just Moved Downstream.

Ignore the press releases. Look at what’s changing:

• The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is now in effect. Exporters must track embedded emissions—or pay for it.

• The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is enforcing climate disclosure rules aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

• Investors are asking, “How are you tracking this?” not “What’s your promise?”

In short, ESG hasn’t disappeared. It’s shifted into procurement scorecards, sourcing decisions, emissions data, and supplier performance... in a highly regulated environment.

If sustainability doesn’t live in procurement, finance, and supply chain, it doesn’t live at all.

4. What You Can Do - Without Changing Jobs?

You don’t need to leave your job to make a shift. You just need to reframe what you already do and make it count.

• Find your influence points. Where does your work intersect with ESG goals, waste, risk, sourcing, cost, and materials?

• Change your narrative. Talk about impact. Talk about efficiency. Talk about value through a sustainability lens.

• Learn what matters. You don’t need another degree. But you do need to understand CSRD, scope 3, and supplier ratings.

• Make it visible. Add it to your CV. Raise it in meetings. Mention it in 1:1s. Don’t wait for permission to lead.

The next generation of sustainability leaders won’t just sit in a sustainability office. They’ll come from supply chain. From procurement. From planning. They’ll come from you.

Event Recap - Roundtable Snapshot: What Supply Chain Leaders Are Really Saying?

Recently, B2G Academy, as Knowledge Partner, collaborated with Michael Page on a closed-door roundtable. Industry leaders from supply chain, procurement, and operations discussed "Sustainability Starts with Talent," exploring key insights and strategies.

Key questions explored:

• Does sustainability experience set candidates apart in supply chain and operations roles?

• Is sustainability a true strategic enabler for career growth?

• How does mindset compare to mastery in influencing outcomes?

• Why is there a mid-level gap, and why doesn’t strategy always cascade?

• What are the real-world trade-offs and contradictions?

Thanks to Shangari Manoharan at Michael Page and the team, you will find the top five insights in an exclusive e-book. Download your copy here: https://lnkd.in/gqgHR_d6

Ready to Upskill and Meet the Growing ESG Talent Demand?

If you’ve been nodding along to this newsletter thinking, "Yes, this is exactly what I need to get a handle on..." then it’s time to take the next step.

The Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional (CSSCP) course by B2G Academy is designed for professionals in supply chain, operations, procurement, and planning who want to bring ESG into real-world execution.

It’s practical, globally recognised, accredited by ISCEA and built to meet today’s expectations. Whether you're looking to strengthen internal credibility, lead change on the ground, or simply get fluent in what sustainability means for your role, this course gives you the tools to do it.

📍 For more information, check the link to register.

So if ESG starts at HQ but dies in the local office… be the one who brings it back to life.

Final Note: Still Worth It? Yes. But This Time, Make It Yours.

So, is ESG still worth betting your career on? Only if you’re ready to build, not just believe.

The most valuable professionals today aren’t waiting for someone to hand them a sustainability job. They’re integrating ESG into the work they already do—making it visible, actionable, and strategic. And the most effective companies? They’re not just chasing pledges. They’re developing people.

If you’re mid-career and ready to play a a bigger game, this is your moment.

Final final note - Whether you're already on a summer break or planning one soon, I hope you enjoy some well-deserved time off.

It’s the perfect moment to pause, recharge, and maybe reflect on what’s next. A career move? A new sense of purpose? Or simply a way to contribute to something bigger, like a healthier, sustainable planet.

Whatever it is, enjoy the space to think and reset.