Cameron Flinn, '21

What is your role, and how does sustainability intersect with your work responsibilities?

ACT is a global environmental commodities and sustainability solutions company. In my role, I work with ACT's large corporate clients that are buying decarbonization products such as Renewable Energy, Carbon Offsets, and Renewable Natural Gas. I source these products globally for ACT's clients and help them to achieve their renewable energy, SBTi, or net-zero targets.

Did you always plan to work in sustainability? If not, how did you make the jump?

I was always interested in working in the energy and sustainability industry throughout college. That is what motivated me to major in both Business and Environmental Science throughout my time at Richmond. After graduating, I wanted to find a role that would allow me to use both my majors and work at the intersection of business and sustainability. My role at ACT has allowed me a unique opportunity to work in this growing space.

What are a job incumbent's "must-haves" in a sustainability-focused role or task?

In sustainability, it is increasingly important to be familiar with the organizations that set guidelines and best practices for corporations. This includes initiatives such as the Science Based Targets Initiative, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, RE100, and Ecovadis. Beyond these, I've seen more and more companies have to dedicate time to sustainability reporting and disclosure, so being knowledgeable in greenhouse gas accounting and reporting can be very valuable for someone looking to work in sustainability.

What are your thoughts on the future of sustainability work?

I think sustainability work will continue to grow in importance and prevalence throughout the business world. Investors are increasingly looking to invest in companies operating sustainably and ethically. As a result, companies have set ambitious goals to decarbonize. There will be a lot of work to be done to achieve these targets, and as a result, sustainability work will become increasingly important and widespread.

What advice would you give to current Robins School students interested in pursuing careers in sustainability?

Sustainability is a broad field, and there are many different careers you can pursue in this field. I would recommend that students think about what makes them passionate about sustainability. This could range from renewable energy, conservation & biodiversity, to circularity, etc. Once students have a sense of what they're passionate about, they can narrow down a potential career path.

Are there any books, courses, podcasts, or other resources you recommend to understand the various themes and career options in sustainability? 

I enjoy listening to podcasts from Smart Energy Decisions. They host a wide range of different corporate sustainability leaders and discuss their roles and what projects they are working on at their respective companies. These podcasts can provide broad exposure to different types of sustainability work, and allow you to hear how some of the largest companies in the world are approaching sustainability.