Recognising Women in Sustainability

This year’s International Women’s Day on March 8 is themed ‘Changing Climates: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’ and aims to recognise the contribution of women and girls around the world who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation and response.

Certified Environmental Practitioners are at the forefront of sustainability, and to date, the Scheme has certified 349 women across the environmental and social professions.

To celebrate the key contribution women are making towards a more sustainable world for all, we’ve profiled the work of three leading CEnvPs: Joanne Flint, Olivia Woosnam and Ellen O’Brien. All three have shared their motivations, proudest moments and advice for fellow practitioners below.

Joanne Flint (CEnvP)

Jo has had long career in the environmental sector and currently sits on the Board of the CEnvP Scheme. Recently, she has also volunteered in the field for Bush Heritage Australia.

Describe your work and career path in sustainability.

I have had a 35-year career in engineering, consulting and management.  While sustainability was not a term used in role descriptions when I first started my working life, the principles have always featured throughout my career.  Earlier, the focus in my engineering and risk management work was on impact (environmental, social and economic) avoidance and mitigation.  This evolved to encompass an integrated approach to management of both risks and opportunities, ensuring improved outcomes through multi-disciplined, systematic approaches that are science and evidence based, and that are developed and implemented in consultation with community and other stakeholders.

Joanne Flint

Why is working in sustainability important to you?

I am so grateful that I can work in areas that align with my interests in sustainable living, biodiversity conservation and transformational change. Work in sustainability enables me to bring all my engineering, management and governance skills and experience to the table.  It continues to be a source of inspiring challenges, with more focus now on net positive benefit.  There is still always so much that I can learn, satisfying my curiosity. It is a pleasure to work with people with diverse skills, experience and backgrounds.

Recently I have loved volunteering in the field for Bush Heritage Australia supporting their biodiversity conservation work. Increasing and protecting areas of biodiverse carbon is an important source of climate change mitigation. Actions such as revegetation, fire management and biosecurity management in partnership with traditional owners and communities, are important for maintaining the health and longevity of these sources.

What have you been most proud of about your work in this space?

The best personal satisfaction comes when someone (or a group) ‘gets it’.  This could be after a protracted period during which a case for the sustainability benefits of a change or initiative has been put forward.  I have had a few memorable golden moments of this type throughout my career.  Totally worth the time, energy and frustration!

Olivia Woosnam (CEnvP)

Olivia is a director of OWAD Environment, a specialist environmental consultancy using purpose-bred professional field detection dogs for targeted threatened species studies. Olivia has volunteered for the CEnvP Scheme for the past 7 years, and in 2021 was awarded a Scheme Service Award for her outstanding contribution and positive leadership.

Olivia with Wrangham Pink Knockout (aka ‘Taz’) and Wrangham Mistral Bowscale (aka ‘Missy’). Credit Twin Lotus Productions.

 What motivates you in the work that you do?

To do good work that results in tangible positive outcomes for the natural environment.

What have you been most proud of about your work?

That our ongoing work does achieve and result in very tangible positive outcomes for the natural environment! Not just for the few targeted threatened species we work on, but the entire ecosystems they call home that are protected or safeguarded along with them as a direct result of our work.

What would be your advice to upcoming women and gender diverse practitioners?

If you want to be defined as a quality professional who does good honest work with high professional and ethical standards, then be and do just that. Don’t be too hard on yourself or others, though: we are only human, we can all make honest mistakes or the occasional insufficiently informed decision. If you’ve miss-stepped, then own up to your mistake, address it, and learn and grow from it. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance or support from your network if needed. And likewise, be forgiving of other’s mistakes and help other professionals around you who may seek your assistance. Being a quality professional does not mean being faultless or perfect at all times. It means doing the best work you can to the best of your abilities, and striving to do ‘the right thing’ and act decently. If that’s what you do, then that is what will define you and what you will be remembered for.

Ellen O’Brien (CEnvP)

Ellen is a sustainability specialist currently working as a self-employed consultant in Envirostrategy. She is also the Board Chair of the not-for-profit organisation Reverse Garbage, Australia’s largest creative reuse centre. Ellen has volunteered for the CEnvP Scheme since 2010.

Ellen O’Brien in Patagonia

Why did you choose to work in sustainability? What motivates you in your work?

I have always been fascinated by our environment (I grew up on a farm). This led me into science and investigating environmental impacts and by extension sustainability. People who are willing to learn more about how to live more sustainably and their responses and enthusiasm keeps me motivated to keep working in this field.

What have you been most proud of about your work to date?

Being able to influence people to take more responsibility for how they manage the sustainability and environmental impacts of their lives – both personally and in their work.

How can practitioners working in other specialisations contribute to a more sustainable future?

Sustainability is a team effort – we need other practitioners to better inform themselves about integrating sustainability into their work, sharing that information and taking action.  Mostly, we all need to listen to the science and prepare for managing our future together.

We thank Jo, Olivia and Ellen for their outstanding contribution, and commend all CEnvPs working towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Women and girls are one of the groups most impacted by climate change. Their contribution is central to solutions, and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. On this International Women’s Day, we recognise and celebrate the work of women who are using their skills, knowledge and expertise in the environmental industry to create a healthier, more resilient planet.