How to Build a Career in Sustainability with Maria Costa Head of Sustainability - WM&I, Santander UK

In this episode of the Pricing for the Planet podcast, host Fabien Cros sits down with Maria Costa, Head of Sustainability Wealth Management and Insurance at Santander UK, to discuss how to forge a successful career in sustainability. Maria shares practical advice on breaking into the field, essential skills you need to thrive, and how to leverage both innovation and technology—especially AI—to accelerate your impact. Whether you’re looking to transition into sustainability or advance your existing career, this episode is packed with actionable insights and tips.

Key Takeaways:

-Build resilience: Sustainability is a field full of challenges. You’ll hear "no" often, but persistence is key to success.

-Network shamelessly: Reach out to people in the industry. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice—most people are willing to help.

-Stakeholder management is vital: Knowing how to communicate sustainability’s value to different business areas is crucial.

-Upskilling is essential, but not mandatory: Formal education (like certifications) is helpful, but on-the-job learning and experience are equally valuable.

-AI is the future: Understanding how AI can help accelerate sustainable business strategies will be a key differentiator in your career.

-Big organizations vs. Startups: Choose the path that suits you—startups offer fast innovation, while big organizations provide scale and long-term impact.

Aha Moments:

-You don't need a degree in sustainability to enter the field—build expertise in a niche and keep learning.

-Whether in a startup or large corporation, you can create significant impact in sustainability with the right approach.

-AI and other emerging technologies will play a transformative role in the sustainability landscape.

-Staying ahead of tech trends will give you a competitive edge.

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