Green management is in demand. Do you have the skills to make a difference?

Within the CMI community, there’s no shortage of inspiring stories of green management. Take educator and entrepreneur May Ho CMgr FCMI, who recently spoke to us about a transformative trip to Antarctica – and how it reinforced to her the urgent need for people to “think beyond the organisation”. Tony Stonebridge CMgr FCMI’s week in Cape Town also brought with it a sustainability epiphany via an introduction to ‘eco-bricks’. 

This appetite for new and innovative approaches to sustainability is also clear within the next generation of leaders. Boris Trifonov, a second-year Business Management student at the University of Greenwich, recently shared his commitment to making a difference. He joined a local community group for the Great British Spring Clean and is inspiring other university students to take climate action too. 

• Read more: the sustainability podcast that bridges theory and practice

One thing’s for sure: sustainability is at the heart of future leadership. Recognising this, CMI has launched three new Sustainability Leadership Qualifications. We caught up with David Jones CMgr MCMI, policy and innovation manager at CMI, who told us all about them…

Q: What are the new CMI Sustainability Leadership Qualifications?

David Jones (DJ): These qualifications – at Levels 3, 5 and 7 – equip learners at universities, further education colleges and organisations with the critical management and leadership skills needed to address sustainability challenges.

Their aim is to empower managers to drive sustainable change at every level, providing a clear development pathway from early-career managers to senior leaders. 

Q: Who are they aimed at and what does course delivery look like?

DJ: Course delivery is on your terms – including in-person, online or hybrid, with modular flexibility to fit different delivery models. There are three sustainability qualifications, each tailored to the responsibilities of different roles: 

• Sustainability Principles for First Line Managers (Level 3) – designed to support practising or aspiring team leaders or supervisors, responsible for a team and/or daily activities in their area of responsibility. 
• Sustainability Management and Leadership (Level 5) – designed to support practising or aspiring middle/operational managers and leaders, responsible for translating strategy into operational plans, and driving the implementation of organisational strategy through teams. 
• Strategic Sustainability Leadership (Level 7) – designed to support practising or aspiring strategic managers and leaders, accountable for setting the strategic direction of an organisation. 

Q: Why has CMI created these qualifications now?

DJ: With net-zero targets becoming legal requirements, there’s a pressing demand for leaders who can drive sustainable practices across all levels of management. 

A CMI Manager’s Voice Pulse Point poll in 2025 showed that over four in five managers (82%) agreed that all managers will be required to have an understanding of net zero and sustainability. Plus, eight in ten managers (80%) agreed that they would benefit from having training on net zero and sustainability. 

The total number of green management jobs in the UK has also grown by 18% over the past decade, found CMI analysis of Lightcast data, highlighting the expanding role of management in the green sector and reflecting the increasing need for sustainability management and leadership. Our sustainability leadership qualifications respond to the urgent need for organisations to embed sustainability into their core strategies.

The total number of green management jobs in the UK has grown by 18% over the past decade

Q: How were they developed to be relevant to today’s workplace?

DJ: Our Sustainability Leadership Qualifications were developed to ensure they’re fully relevant to today’s workplace by engaging extensively with industry experts and testing the concept with over 30 stakeholders. These included employers, universities, colleges and private training providers. By drawing on their insights and feedback, we’ve been able to align the qualifications with the demands of the workplace, ensuring they equip leaders with the skills needed to tackle sustainability challenges and deliver meaningful change.

Q: Why do you personally believe that managers and leaders should be developing their sustainability credentials?

DJ: The growing focus on climate change and environmental responsibility places increasing pressure on businesses to adapt. Strong management and leadership are essential in navigating this shift, ensuring that sustainability is not just a compliance requirement but a core part of business strategy.  

• Read more: how to embed sustainability in your strategy

Managers and leaders must champion change, embed sustainable thinking into decision-making and create a culture where innovation drives long-term environmental and economic success. Clear leadership direction and effective management practices are key to integrating sustainability seamlessly into operations and meeting the rising expectations of consumers and regulators.

Q: Why is it important that organisations and higher education institutions offer these qualifications?

DJ: Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have – it’s a critical part of organisational strategy and leadership. These qualifications equip current and future leaders with the skills, knowledge and confidence to address complex sustainability challenges, drive innovation and lead the transition to a more sustainable economy.

For organisations, this ensures they remain competitive, resilient and aligned with the growing expectations of stakeholders. For higher education institutions, offering these qualifications enables students to graduate with the tools they need to thrive in a workforce that increasingly values sustainability as a core competency. Ultimately, they help build a pipeline of leaders who can create meaningful, lasting change.

 Q: How do these qualifications fit in with CMI’s wider commitment to net zero?

DJ: At CMI, we understand the significance of climate change and the need to reach net zero emissions as an organisation in an environmentally and socially responsible way. That’s why we’re making a commitment to achieving net zero by 2040 – and helping others to do so, too.