ESG in focus: How experts anchor sustainability in companies
Mentoring stage talk at the EXCELLENCE 2025 job fair
Sustainability has long been a central component of modern corporate strategies. But how is it actually anchored in companies? What challenges are there, and how do you get started in this professional field? Three experts - Caroline Hofer, Angela Reiter and Verena Zelger - gave insights into their career paths and their daily work in the field of sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in a round table discussion at the University of Graz. Their experiences show how diverse and dynamic this professional field is and what opportunities it offers for graduates.
How is sustainability anchored in your company and what are you responsible for?
Caroline Hofer: I am Group Sustainability Manager at ANDRITZ AG, an international technology company with around 30,000 employees at over 280 locations worldwide. The company operates in four business areas: Hydropower, Pulp & Paper, Metals and Environment & Energy. My job is to help shape and implement the company's sustainability strategy. A large part of my work is sustainability reporting, which is mandatory for listed companies and subject to strict EU regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). I also coordinate ESG ratings, which are important for our investors, and work closely with colleagues from various business areas. Sustainability is a cross-cutting issue at ANDRITZ that affects all areas of the company. Another important aspect of my work is internal and external communication. Internally, it's about sensitizing colleagues to the topic of sustainability and involving them in the implementation of the strategy. Externally, we communicate with investors, customers and other stakeholders to make our progress and goals transparent. It is a very varied job that requires strategic thinking and practical implementation.
Angela Reiter: Energie Graz is a regional company with around 400 employees. We are active in the energy services sector and supply the city of Graz with electricity, heat and gas. We also offer solutions for photovoltaics, electromobility and even Christmas lighting in the city. My tasks in sustainability management are similar to those of Ms. Hofer, but of course adapted to the size of our company. Last year, we carried out an extensive ESG project to prepare for future regulatory obligations, including the development of an up-to-date sustainability strategy. Our team is responsible for bringing this to the specialist departments and implementing it. This also includes preparing the annual greenhouse gas balance sheet and monitoring our progress. A major topic at the moment is preparing for new legal requirements that will affect us in the coming years. We are also working closely with the City of Graz, for example as part of the Climate Pact. The aim is to make the city climate-neutral by 2040. As a company, we are supporting this not only with our own measures, but also by collaborating with other organizations and companies.
Verena Zelger: Our company, susform, is significantly smaller than the others. We are a consultancy with ten employees and offices in Vienna and Graz. We specialize in sustainability consulting and support organizations in the development of strategies, the implementation of ESG regulations and the preparation of greenhouse gas balances.
A core value of the company is collaboration. Sustainability requires companies to share knowledge and work together on solutions. In addition to traditional consulting, we are currently working on the development of ESG software that supports companies in their reporting. My tasks are very varied. I am involved in various projects, from the preparation of sustainability reports to workshops and training courses for companies. I find it particularly exciting to work with companies that are just starting to deal with sustainability. It's a challenge, but also an opportunity to accompany them on this journey and develop solutions together.
What challenges do you face in your day-to-day work?
Verena Zelger: In counseling, it is often a challenge to take into account the different needs of the customers. Some companies are still still at the very beginning of their sustainability work, while others are already are already very advanced. It is also important to strike a balance between strategic work and practical implementation. Sustainability is a complex topic and it requires a great deal of sensitivity to develop the right to develop the right solutions for each company. I find it particularly I find it particularly exciting when we can help companies achieve their sustainability achieve their sustainability goals while remaining economically successful. remain economically successful.
Caroline Hofer: One of the biggest challenges is constantly adapting to new regulations. The EU regularly brings out new requirements that we have to implement, most recently the CSRD. This requires close cooperation with various departments and business units in order to collect the necessary data and coordinate reporting. It is also important not only to develop the sustainability strategy, but also to integrate it into the corporate culture. This means training and motivating colleagues to see sustainability as part of their daily work. It is a long-term process that requires a lot of patience and persuasion.
Angela Reiter: The biggest challenge for us is that sustainability indicators are often not yet as established as financial indicators. It is a process to collect this data and set up a tracking system that works reliably. Another issue is communication. Sustainability affects all areas of the company and it is important that all employees understand why these issues are relevant and how they can contribute. Especially in a smaller company like ours, it's important that everyone pulls together.
How did you start your career in the sustainability sector?
Caroline Hofer: The transition from studying to working was relatively smooth for me. I started applying to companies in Graz while I was working on my Master's thesis, as I knew I wanted to stay in the region. My internships during my studies - including in the environmental department of a large company - helped me to gain valuable experience and build up a network. It was important for my entry that my professional activities matched my studies. I specifically applied to companies that are active in my field of interest. The interview at ANDRITZ AG was partly in English, as the Group language is English. I was already well prepared for this thanks to my semester abroad and the international focus of my studies.
Angela Reiter: My path was a little more convoluted. After my bachelor's degree at the FH Kapfenberg, I decided to do a master's degree at the at the University of Graz and worked part-time in various companies, including Saubermacher and the Green Tech Cluster. These experiences helped me network and expand my skills. After graduating, I initially worked in project-related positions, but these were temporary. After a few years, I wanted a permanent position. The establishment of the sustainability department at Energie Graz offered me the perfect opportunity to contribute my experience and work long-term in an area that is close to my heart.
Verena Zelger: My path was definitely not straightforward. After my studies at the University of Graz, I completed an international Master's program, which took me to Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands, among other places. I then worked in various positions, including in recruiting and sales. I deliberately took the step into sustainability consulting because I wanted to work in an area that is important to me personally. At susform, I have the opportunity to combine my business experience with my passion for sustainability.
What tips are there for entering the sustainability industry?
All three experts emphasize that there is no "standard career" in the sustainability industry. Rather, the path is individual and shaped by personal interests, experiences and decisions. Nevertheless, there are a few tips that can make it easier to get started:
- Internships and part-time jobs: Practical experience is essential to find out which areas suit you and to build up a network.
- Stays abroad: International experience broadens your horizons and is a plus in many companies.
- Networking: Alumni programs, mentoring and events offer valuable opportunities to make contacts.
- Application: Thorough preparation for interviews and a sound knowledge of the company are crucial.
The experts
Caroline Hofer studied Environmental and Business Management (USW) at the University of Graz with a focus on sustainability and innovation management. During her studies, she spent a semester abroad at Leiden University, where she studied Industrial Ecology. Today she is Group Sustainability Manager at ANDRITZ AG, an international technology company based in Graz, which operates in the Hydropower, Pulp & Paper, Metals and Environment & Energy sectors.
Angela Reiter started her academic career with a Bachelor's degree in Energy, Transport and Environmental Management at the FH Kapfenberg before moving to the University of Graz to also study Environmental and Business Management (USW). Her focus was on sustainable technologies. After holding various positions in energy and waste management, she is now Sustainability Manager in the Sustainability & Innovation Management team at Energie Graz.
Verena Zelger also completed a USW degree at the University of Graz, with a focus on business administration. She then completed the international Master's program in Industrial Ecology (Erasmus Mundus), which took her to renowned universities in the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan. After a successful career in sales and recruiting, she opted for sustainability consulting and is now a consultant for sustainability and ESG at susform, a specialized consulting firm with offices in Vienna and Graz.
Tanja Baumgartner, Coordinator Alumni Management and Career Mentoring, conducted the interview, which took place on November 12, 2025 on the mentoring stage as part of the EXCELLENCE job fair at the University of Graz.
This article was created with the help of aTrain and UniGPT.