Celia Meira, Marketing and Communications Director at Ombria Algarve and member of the CSO Circle by BCSD Portugal, discusses the changing role of Chief Sustainability Officers in a new article for Forbes Portugal.
Within “CSO to Be: The 5 Competencies for a New Generation of Collaborative Leadership”, Celia reflects on the growing importance of sustainability as a modern business essential rather than a ‘luxury extra’.
She notes that in a world increasingly shaped by climate change, resource scarcity, social inequality, and evolving regulations, companies are under pressure to not only adapt, but to lead with intention, vision and responsibility. This is where the role of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) has become crucial, demanding a unique blend of strategic thinking, global awareness and transformative leadership.
While over half of the world’s largest corporations already have a dedicated sustainability executive, Celia highlights the need for clarity about what a CSO actually does and the skills needed to do it effectively. She feels that a CSO must act as a “conductor” to the business orchestra, connecting departments, guiding cultures and embedding purpose across the organisation.
In her article, Celia outlines five key skills for the next generation of sustainability leaders:
1. Systems Thinking and Strategic Vision
An effective CSO, Celia begins, must operate across every part of a business, understanding the intricate relationships between departments, the value chain and external context. This requires a systems mindset and the ability to bridge traditionally siloed functions such as operations, HR, finance and marketing. She highlights Ombria Algarve as a case study in which regenerative construction, community engagement and nature conservation have been embedded from the outset. At Ombria, sustainability is not an add-on but a core principle - one that reflects the long-term, holistic vision that defines the role of the CSO.
2. ESG Literacy and Continuous Learning
With legislation and ESG frameworks rapidly evolving, sustainability leaders must stay abreast of developments, from the EU's CSRD directive to the TCFD recommendations. More than technical knowledge, however, Celia emphasises the need to translate complex regulation into practical strategies that generate measurable impact, turning legal obligations into real opportunities for competitive differentiation.
3. Multidimensional Communication and Influence
Great leadership requires great communication, and Céila feels a CSO must be able to influence across all levels of the business, from boardrooms to local communities. This includes adapting their message: financially literate for investors, data-driven for analysts and empathetic and authentic for customers and teams. Crucially, sustainability communication must be free from greenwashing, grounded in transparency and used as a powerful tool to build trust and long-term brand equity.
4. Innovation and Collaboration
Celia believes true innovation lies not only in technology, but in the courage to ask the right questions and then co-creating new solutions. CSOs must foster a culture of experimentation, openness and multi-stakeholder engagement. Again, she points to Ombria Algarve as an example of innovation in action, from geothermal systems and rainwater reuse to biodiversity protection and electric mobility. It’s a model where technology serves nature, and where collaboration between experts, community and leadership leads to regenerative outcomes.
5. Balancing Purpose and Performance
Finally, sustainability does not mean sacrificing financial performance, on the contrary, it’s a strategic imperative. A company that fails to remain financially healthy is not sustainable, and one that prioritises profit at the cost of people and the planet risks long-term viability. The most effective leaders are those who can align purpose with performance, creating value not only for shareholders, but for employees, ecosystems and future generations. As Celia reminds us, the future of leadership requires balance, sustainability is not a trend, but rather the catalyst for more robust, consistent and resilient results.
The Time to Lead Is Now
The article concludes that CSOs have the power to shape a more resilient, inclusive and forward-thinking business landscape, creating lasting value for people and planet - ultimately leading towards a more prosperous future. Celia urges today’s CSOs to turn complexity into clarity and ambition into impact, always guided by responsibility, systems thinking, collaboration, and continuous learning.
To read the full article (in Portuguese), visit Forbes Portugal.
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Forbes Portugal
July 2025
