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How a chief sustainability officer can use AI, task by task

O*NET 11-1011.03: Chief Sustainability OfficersMedian pay $213,990/year (BLS, May 2025)18 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), Corporate Sustainability Process Manager, CSR and Sustainability VP (Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Vice President), Sustainability Chancellor, Sustainability Chief, Sustainability Director, Sustainability Initiatives Vice President (Sustainability Initiatives VP), Sustainability Manager, Sustainability Programs Director, Sustainable Design Director.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 35%AI-assist 45%Stays human 20%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 7 AI-ready, 8 AI-assist and 3 human-led tasks out of 18. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 7

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Develop, or oversee the development of, marketing or outreach media for sustainability projects or events.

Monthly

AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist for you to adjust.

Show prompt & steps

Describe the goal, the people and the constraints, and AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist. You adjust it to what you know about real life on the ground.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to develop, or oversee the development of, marketing or outreach media for sustainability projects or events.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Scheduling software; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Initiative: [program or change to promote]
Audiences: [employees, customers, community]

Draft a campaign plan with key messages per audience, channels, timeline and how to measure participation.

10-minute exercise: Sustainability campaign plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop, or oversee the development.
Step 2Fill in [Initiative] and [Audiences] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every environmental claim is accurate and provable.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop marketing plans or strategies for environmental initiatives.. Also involves: Manage outreach activities..

Create and maintain sustainability program documents, such as schedules and budgets.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to create and maintain sustainability program documents, such as schedules and budgets.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Program: [describe]
Records: [schedules, budgets, campaigns]

Draft a record-keeping format. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Sustainability records

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you create and maintain sustainability program documents.
Step 2Fill in [Program] and [Records] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere. Recompute every total yourself.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain operational records for green energy processes or other environmentally-sustainable activities.. Also involves: Schedule activities or facility use..

Develop sustainability reports, presentations, or proposals for supplier, employee, academia, media, government, public interest, or other groups.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to develop sustainability reports, presentations, or proposals for supplier, employee, academia, media, government, public interest, or other groups.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Audience: [suppliers, employees, community]
Results: [paste data]

Draft the report or presentation. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Sustainability report or presentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop sustainability reports, presentations and proposals. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Audience] and [Results] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Present sustainable products or services information to the public.. Also involves: Prepare operational progress or status reports..

Formulate or implement sustainability campaign or marketing strategies.

Monthly

AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist for you to adjust.

Show prompt & steps

Describe the goal, the people and the constraints, and AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist. You adjust it to what you know about real life on the ground.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to formulate or implement sustainability campaign or marketing strategies.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Scheduling software; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Initiative: [program or change to promote]
Audiences: [employees, customers, community]

Draft a campaign plan with key messages per audience, channels, timeline and how to measure participation.

10-minute exercise: Sustainability campaign plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you formulate or implement sustainability campaign or marketing strategies.
Step 2Fill in [Initiative] and [Audiences] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every environmental claim is accurate and provable.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop marketing plans or strategies for environmental initiatives..

Develop methodologies to assess the viability or success of sustainability initiatives.

A few times a year

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to develop methodologies to assess the viability or success of sustainability initiatives.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Activity: [program, initiative, campaign]
Questions: [what success means]

Draft evaluation methods, data collection and analysis. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Evaluation procedure

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop methodologies.
Step 2Fill in [Activity] and [Questions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check you can actually collect the data.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop procedures to evaluate organizational activities..

Write project proposals, grant applications, or other documents to pursue funding for environmental initiatives.

A few times a year

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to write project proposals, grant applications, or other documents to pursue funding for environmental initiatives.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Project: [describe]
Funder: [requirements]

Draft the proposal. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Funding proposal

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you write project proposals.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Funder] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere. Recompute every total yourself.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding..

Write and distribute financial or environmental impact reports.

A few times a year

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to write and distribute financial or environmental impact reports.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Report: [budget, expense, financial summary]
Figures and context: [paste numbers, notes]
Audience: [board, manager, regulator]

Draft the report with a summary, tables, variances explained and next steps. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Financial or budget report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you write and distribute financial or environmental impact reports.
Step 2Fill in [Report], [Figures and context] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute every total and check each variance explanation against the books. Recompute every total yourself.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets..

AI can help you prep these 8

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education, and building design.

Weekly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education, and building design.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Scheduling software; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Organization: [describe]
Focus: [energy, waste, monitoring]

Draft strategies and monitoring systems. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Sustainability policy

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop or execute strategies (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Organization] and [Focus] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop sustainable organizational policies or practices.. Also involves: Implement organizational process or policy changes..

Develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Scheduling software; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Organization: [describe]
Focus: [energy, waste, monitoring]

Draft strategies and monitoring systems. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Sustainability policy

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop, or oversee the development of and sustainability evaluation.
Step 2Fill in [Organization] and [Focus] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop sustainable organizational policies or practices.. Also involves: Manage control system activities in organizations..

Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 36% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Program: [goal, activities, timeframe]
Data: [paste outcomes, participation, costs]

Compare results with goals, calculate cost per outcome, find what's working and what isn't, and suggest 3 changes. Show formulas.

10-minute exercise: Program effectiveness review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
Step 2Fill in [Program] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute cost per outcome yourself and take one change to your next planning meeting.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate program effectiveness..

Research environmental sustainability issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to research environmental sustainability issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests.

Context: The work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Project or product: [describe it]
Stakeholders: [community, regulators, customers]

List environmental concerns, risks and opportunities, which stakeholders care about each, and how to verify them.

10-minute exercise: Spot environmental concerns

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you research environmental sustainability issues, concerns and stakeholder interests.
Step 2Fill in [Project or product] and [Stakeholders] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the top concern and check it with a real data source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Identify environmental concerns..

Identify and evaluate pilot projects or programs to enhance the sustainability research agenda.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to identify and evaluate pilot projects or programs to enhance the sustainability research agenda.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Program: [goal, activities, timeframe]
Data: [paste outcomes, participation, costs]

Compare results with goals, calculate cost per outcome, find what's working and what isn't, and suggest 3 changes. Show formulas.

10-minute exercise: Program effectiveness review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify and evaluate pilot projects or programs.
Step 2Fill in [Program] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute cost per outcome yourself and take one change to your next planning meeting.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate program effectiveness.. Also involves: Identify opportunities for green initiatives..

Evaluate and approve proposals for sustainability projects, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and integration with other initiatives.

Monthly

AI pre-checks against the rules; the sign-off stays with you.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI as a first-pass checker against a list of rules or standards. The final judgment and sign-off stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to evaluate and approve proposals for sustainability projects, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and integration with other initiatives.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Project: [describe]
Criteria: [cost, impact, risk]

Evaluate against criteria. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Sustainability project evaluation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate and approve proposals.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Criteria] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Do your usual review too, and note what AI caught and what it missed. Recompute every total yourself.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate environmental or sustainability projects.. Also involves: Analyze data to determine project feasibility..

Review sustainability program objectives, progress, or status to ensure compliance with policies, standards, regulations, or laws.

Monthly

AI pre-checks against the rules; the sign-off stays with you.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI as a first-pass checker against a list of rules or standards. The final judgment and sign-off stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to review sustainability program objectives, progress, or status to ensure compliance with policies, standards, regulations, or laws.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Program: [describe]
Standards: [policy, regulation]

Check progress against each standard. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Green program compliance

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you review sustainability program objectives, progress and status.
Step 2Fill in [Program] and [Standards] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Do your usual review too, and note what AI caught and what it missed. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate green operations or programs for compliance with standards or regulations..

Conduct risk assessments related to sustainability and the environment.

A few times a year

AI pre-checks against the rules; the sign-off stays with you.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI as a first-pass checker against a list of rules or standards. The final judgment and sign-off stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to conduct risk assessments related to sustainability and the environment.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat; the work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Project: [describe]
Criteria: [cost, impact, risk]

Evaluate against criteria. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Sustainability project evaluation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct risk assessments.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Criteria] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Do your usual review too, and note what AI caught and what it missed.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Importance 3.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate environmental or sustainability projects.. Also involves: Analyze risks related to investments in green technology..

These stay human 3

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time · Impact of decisions: important results · Dealing with the public: very important

Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.

Several times a day

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.

Context: The work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Team: [employees, volunteers]
Project: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Leading sustainability staff

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you supervise employees or volunteers. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Project] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise workers performing environmentally sustainable activities..

Direct sustainability program operations to ensure compliance with environmental or governmental regulations.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to direct sustainability program operations to ensure compliance with environmental or governmental regulations.

Context: The work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Organization: [describe]
Priority or change: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing the organization

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct sustainability program operations.
Step 2Fill in [Organization] and [Priority or change] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct organizational operations, projects, or services..

Identify educational, training, or other development opportunities for sustainability employees or volunteers.

Monthly

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a chief sustainability officer. Part of my job is to identify educational, training, or other development opportunities for sustainability employees or volunteers.

Context: The work draws on building and construction, law and government and geography.
Team: [roles, size]
Skills needed: [current and upcoming]
What I've seen: [gaps, no names]

Map gaps to training options, priority and cost. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Training needs review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify educational. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Team], [Skills needed] and [What I've seen] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Book or plan one training to close it.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate capabilities or training needs.. Also involves: Support the professional development of others..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Monitoringimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Speakingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Social Perceptivenessimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Thinking Creatively
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
  • Writingimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Getting into this job

Master's degree is most common (74% of workers)

  • Bachelor's 19%
  • Graduate degree 81%
  • On-the-job training: 1–3 months
  • Related experience: 4–6 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

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