Have you ever stopped to consider whether the company you work for (or buy from) cares about the environment, diversity, and business transparency? These issues are no longer optional — they’ve become competitive advantages. And behind this positive shift in the corporate world is the ESG Professional (Environmental, Social, and Governance).
More than a trend, ESG is now a management model guiding companies to act with environmental, social, and ethical responsibility — focusing not just on profit but also on people and the planet.
If your month is October, you carry the energy of renewal, impact, and commitment. In this article, you will discover:
- What ESG is and why it has gained so much traction
- The role and areas of action of an ESG professional
- Salaries and green career opportunities
- Skills and certifications that open doors in the market
- How to get started in ESG, even with no prior experience
1. What Is ESG — And Why Is the World Paying Attention?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance — three key pillars used to evaluate an organization’s responsibility and sustainability:
- E (Environmental): carbon emissions, recycling, natural resource use, clean energy
- S (Social): relationships with employees, communities, diversity, inclusion, and human rights
- G (Governance): corporate ethics, transparency, leadership structure, anti-corruption
Although the term emerged in the early 2000s, it gained momentum recently due to pressure from investors, consumers, and governments.
Today, companies that integrate ESG into their business models are more valuable, attract top talent, secure better investments, and gain market reputation.
According to a PwC report, 76% of consumers would stop buying from companies that don’t practice ESG, and 86% of investors consider ESG factors in their decisions.
2. What Does an ESG Professional Do?
This professional designs, implements, and monitors strategies that align company operations with ESG principles. They work across multiple departments, including:
- Corporate sustainability
- Institutional communication
- Human Resources (diversity and inclusion)
- Legal (compliance and governance)
- Operations (efficiency and resource management)
Key responsibilities:
- Create environmental and social policies
- Prepare sustainability reports (e.g., GRI)
- Develop ESG indicators and metrics
- Manage audits and certifications (ISO, B Corp)
- Lead diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Act as a bridge between the company, community, and investors
Inspiring metaphor: An ESG professional is like a gardener who tends the soil where the company is planted — ensuring it grows strong roots and bears sustainable fruit.
3. Job Market and Salaries
Due to new regulatory requirements, ESG professionals have become essential across all industries — from startups to large corporations.
In-demand sectors:
- Finance (banks and funds require ESG to approve loans)
- Industry (environmental impact reduction and waste management)
- Technology (governance and inclusion)
- Fashion and food (transparency and traceability)
- Public sector (municipalities and governments with sustainable policies)
Average salary range in Brazil:
| Role | Monthly Salary (BRL) |
|---|---|
| Junior ESG Analyst | R$ 4,000 – R$ 6,500 |
| Mid/Senior Analyst | R$ 7,000 – R$ 12,000 |
| ESG Specialist | R$ 12,000 – R$ 18,000 |
| Coordinator/Manager | R$ 18,000 – R$ 30,000+ |
Companies with strong ESG practices also offer development programs, flexibility, and attractive benefits — drawing qualified and committed professionals.
4. Skills and Qualifications Required
There’s no single required degree. Professionals from law, engineering, business, psychology, communication, and biology can all thrive, provided they have strategic vision and social sensitivity.
Technical competencies:
- Knowledge of human rights, environmental law, and compliance
- Familiarity with ESG standards and reporting (GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISO 26000)
- Interpretation of social and environmental impact indicators
- Ability to draft corporate policies
- Project management for sustainability
Valued soft skills:
- Strategic and systemic thinking
- Interpersonal communication and empathy
- Negotiation and influence
- Resilience and adaptability
- Ethics, transparency, and accountability
Certifications that add value:
- ESG Fundamentals (CSR Europe, FIA, IBGC, etc.)
- GRI Standards Certification
- ISO 14001 and ISO 26000
- B Corp Certification
- MBA in ESG, Sustainability, or Corporate Social Responsibility
5. How to Start a Career in ESG?
You can start right where you are — what matters most is gaining knowledge, purpose, and taking action.
Step-by-step guide:
- Understand ESG fundamentals
- Read reports from companies like Natura, Ambev, Unilever, or Itaú
- Watch documentaries like The Social Dilemma or Minimalism
- Choose an initial pillar (E, S, or G)
- Environment? Start with E
- People and diversity? Go with S
- Analysis, ethics, and compliance? G may be your entry point
- Take introductory courses
- Basic certifications and online training via Coursera, FIA, FGV, Sebrae, ESG Academy
- Apply ESG principles in your current context
- Even without working directly in ESG, incorporate practices in your daily routine or company
- Engage in events, NGOs, or sustainable projects
- Organizations like the UN Global Compact, Instituto Ethos, Sistema B, and Akatu can open doors and connections
6. ESG Trends
- ESG as an investment criterion — banks and investors demand proof of sustainable practices
- Tech-powered ESG — AI to assist with risk analysis and automated reporting
- Green careers on the rise — clean energy, zero carbon, urban mobility are in high demand
- Diversity and inclusion as strategy — genuine inclusive environments as business priorities
- ESG culture integration — embedding purpose in all departments, not just the ESG team
Conclusion
Being an ESG Professional means choosing to impact the world positively — with consciousness, purpose, and strategy. It’s about looking to the future and acting in the present. It’s about understanding that healthy businesses can only exist in a healthy world.
If you’re looking for a meaningful career where you can align your personal values with your profession, this might be the perfect path.
And the best part: there have never been more open doors for those who want to be part of this transformation.
Practical challenge: look up the sustainability report of a company you admire. Identify one area you would improve. Share your insight on LinkedIn or discuss it with colleagues. That’s already a start.
Share this article with people who believe work and social impact should go hand in hand.
