In 2004, DuPont named its first Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). Since then several other companies have followed. Although there is no standardized guidelines as to what the scope and authority of the role is (usually splitting their time evenly between core business and operations, internal engagement, external engagement, and developing strategy), each year more and more companies of all sizes are creating a space for this position. Their backgrounds are always different but they all have a deep knowledge of their company and industry and have been part of their companies for many years. Not all are given the role of CSO. Many are made director, VP, SVP, even chief green officer but all report to or close to the CEO.

Do some research on the CSO position. Take a look at sites like CSO Backstory (www.weinrebgroup.com), Accenture's ‘The Chief Executive Officer's Perspective' (www.accenture.com), ‘Portrait of the Sustainability Executive' (www.pwc.com), BSR and UN Global Compact's work on board adoption and oversight of corporate sustainability (www.bsr.org), and others.

Discuss the need for a CSO, are you for or against? Why? Is a CSO a position you would be interested in holding? From your research, what are common responsibilities of a CSO.