As UK businesses navigate a complex and evolving sustainability landscape, the role of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is more important — and more stretched — than ever. With demand for green talent growing at twice the rate of supply in 2023–24, many organisations are turning to fractional CSOs as a smart, flexible solution.
Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a core expectation from investors, customers, regulators, and employees alike. But the landscape is fast-moving: new reporting standards, evolving stakeholder demands, and emerging risks make it difficult for many businesses to keep up. Without dedicated guidance, even well-intentioned sustainability strategies can quickly become outdated or fall short of what’s needed.
That’s where a fractional CSO adds real value. By embedding seasoned sustainability leadership at a strategic level – without the commitment of a full-time hire — companies can stay agile, compliant, and aligned with best practices. It’s a cost-effective way to keep sustainability on the agenda, integrate it into decision-making, and ensure real progress is being made.
What is a fractional CSO?
A fractional CSO offers executive-level sustainability leadership on a part-time or project basis. This approach is particularly valuable in the UK, where fragmented regulations create significant compliance burdens for in-house teams. According to Simply Sustainable’s 2024 report, Sustainability: Whose Job Is It Anyway?, many CSOs report being pulled into operational tasks, leaving little time for long-term strategy.
Fractional CSOs can relieve this burden by helping shift sustainability from a siloed function to an integrated business imperative. Additionally, they can translate sustainability into business value — connecting it to customer needs, supply chain performance, and long-term resilience. From board engagement to communicating progress, they can be a valuable resource.
How fractional CSOs create value
Fractional CSOs can:
- Build executive support and cross-business engagement
- Embed sustainability into performance and risk management frameworks
- Design sustainability metrics that support corporate strategies
- Align supply chain practices and partners
- Create compelling and engaging communications
They bring essential skills in coordination, alliance building, and change leadership, helping companies transition from tactical to strategic action. Additionally, fractional CSOs offer fresh insight and experience from working across different sectors.
Building a sustainable culture across the business
According to Simply Sustainable, only one-third of UK employees understand how to contribute to sustainability. Standard tools, such as travel policies, job descriptions, training, and incentive structures, remain underutilised. Fractional CSOs can help embed sustainability into the culture, empower cross-functional engagement, and reduce pressure on overstretched sustainability teams.
Final thoughts
For businesses serious about long-term value, risk management, and sustainability leadership, fractional CSOs offer a cost-effective way to accelerate the shift from compliance-driven activity to strategy-led transformation. They can be a practical initial step for organisations keen to progress on their sustainability journey and be retained as a “critical friend” throughout the strategy delivery.
If you’d like support leading or complementing your sustainability team, get in touch here.
