Inspiring the Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders at the University of Reading
Last week, two of our team – Debbie Shore and Nick Mitchell – had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at the University of Reading, delivering a sustainability consulting workshop and careers session for students within the School of Mathematical, Physical & Computational Sciences.
The session offered students a practical and honest insight into what a career in sustainability looks like. Through real-world examples, students explored how organisations are supported in turning sustainability ambition into meaningful action, and how our work plays a vital role in driving change.
One discussion point that really resonated was the scale of transformation underway globally, with around 90% of global GDP now covered by net zero commitments. Students were particularly struck by the reality that 70–90% of most organisations’ emissions typically sit within Scope 3, indirect emissions across the value chain, highlighting the importance of supplier engagement and collaboration in tackling climate impact.
The workshop also introduced the concept of double materiality, challenging students to think not only about how businesses impact the environment, but how environmental and social factors can, in turn, impact business resilience and performance. This shift in perspective sparked thoughtful discussion amongst the students.
Beyond technical frameworks, career advice took centre stage. Nick’s encouragement to “ask questions like nobody else” struck a chord with many students — a reminder that curiosity and critical thinking are essential skills for navigating sustainability careers. Through the interactive, small‑group format, we encouraged collaboration, open conversation, and plenty of challenging questions from an engaged and ambitious group of students. It was especially meaningful for Nick to return as a University of Reading alumnus and share his own career journey so far!
A huge thank you to Claire Newbold from Student Experience & Employability and the University of Reading for the warm welcome and for championing opportunities that connect students directly with industry. And a big thank you to all the students who participated so enthusiastically. Spending time with such a passionate next generation of sustainability professionals was a genuine highlight, and we look forward to continuing the conversation!
“I strengthened my teamwork skills by working collaboratively with a team on case studies, sharing ideas and building on others’ perspectives to reach a common solution.”
University of Reading student
