Article:

Chartered Managers give their net zero tips

Written by Dave Waller Wednesday 10 December 2025

In response to CMI’s major new report on sustainability, two Chartered Managers share what the challenge demands from managers and leaders

Book of CMI's Leading the pathway to net zero

The transition to a net zero economy is one of the most pressing issues of our time. It’s also a massive challenge that requires skilled managers and leaders at the helm. But are we making the necessary changes with the urgency they demand?

CMI recently published its latest sustainability report, Leading the Pathway to Net Zero, which explores the growing skills gaps that risk slowing progress and makes the argument for putting sustainability at the centre of management.

Key findings include:

The total number of management jobs specifically incorporating green skills rose by 69% between 2015 and 2024.
57% of managers in organisations with a net zero plan say they lack clarity on what they are expected to do.
80% agreed they would benefit from having training on net zero and sustainability.

We were keen to hear how the report’s findings are resonating with the CMI community, so we asked two Chartered Managers, both with a proven track record in sustainability, to share their reactions – and their net zero tips.

Sustainability Leadership Qualifications

Designed in collaboration with industry experts, CMI's Sustainability Leadership Qualifications equip learners with the skills needed to implement, lead and embed sustainable practices across industries.

Find out more

“We need courage, imagination and a fundamental rethink”

Sarah Gardner CMgr FCMI is the founder of Serving Our Superheroes, a grassroots charity that supports front-line NHS workers and those in need. Sarah built the charity on a foundation of sustainability and was recently awarded the international Green Apple Award, which celebrates environmental best practice.

“One statistic in the CMI report that particularly resonated was the continued gap between intent and action,” says Sarah. “While many organisations acknowledge the urgency of climate responsibility, practical and future-focused innovation still lags.

“Incremental improvements – turning off lights, printing less – are helpful, but no longer sufficient. The pace and scale of climate change demand a more ambitious mindset. We can’t do things in the way we’ve always done them and expect meaningful progress. What’s needed now is bold, creative thinking and a willingness to redesign systems, rather than simply optimise old ones.

“AI makes this even more pressing. It has huge potential to accelerate sustainability, by optimising supply chains, reducing waste and enabling predictive maintenance. But we cannot ignore the environmental cost. As leaders, we must use AI strategically – not as a novelty or cost-saving tool, but as a purposeful enabler of sustainability, ensuring its deployment ultimately reduces rather than increases our carbon footprint.

Read the report

The transition to a net zero economy is reshaping the labour market and the way we all work. At the heart of this transformation are skilled managers and leaders. However, there is a persistent gap between ambition and delivery. Our report Leading the Pathway to Net Zero explores the growing skills gaps that risk slowing our progress and makes the case for embedding sustainability into the core of management.

Find out more

Keep reading – what else are Chartered Managers saying?

Login

If you are already registered as a CMI Friend, Subscriber or Member, just login to view this article.

Confirm your registration

Register for Free Access

Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox.

You have successfully registered

As a CMI Friend, you now have access to whole range of CMI Friendship benefits.

Please login to the left to confirm your registration and access the article.