How to Mitigate Sustainability Burnout Risks
Sustainability work is a continuous journey of navigating challenges. As rewarding as the work can be, sustainability burnout risks loom if you lack the tools to recognise and mitigate the risks.
Working with sustainability can put the weight of global and local environmental issues squarely on your back. You feel personally responsible for bringing stakeholders on board, overcoming internal reluctance and doubt – and a million other challenges.
The relentless pace, the urgent need for action, and the complexities of environmental challenges can take a toll on even the most passionate and professionally well-equipped individuals. No wonder that many working in the field feel at risk for “sustainability burnout.” These risks are not reserved for sustainability professionals but apply to anyone involved in sustainability projects.
With that in mind, it is imperative to recognise and explore the often-overlooked aspect of working in sustainability - the risk of burnout - and ways of mitigating these risks to maintain personal health and professional efficacy.
What are sustainability burnout risks?
Burnout in sustainability isn't just about feeling tired or overwhelmed; it's a multifaceted issue often tied to the unique nature of the work. The constant sense of urgency, the emotional investment in our planet's future, and the high stakes in environmental decision-making create a perfect storm that can lead to mental and emotional exhaustion.
In an excellent article in GreenBiz, Megan Christensen, Career Coach at Minerva University, presents some of the factors that can contribute to sustainability burnout risks, including:
A sense of insufficiency: The feeling of never " doing enough.".
Impact frustrations: A feeling that work and efforts barely translate into positive real-world outcomes.
Sector and company conflicts: Disputes and differing opinions. Feelings of being underappreciated or ignored.
Doom fatigue: Feeling like you are drowning in the relentless stream of bad news that makes it challenging to disconnect and rest.
The list of sustainability burnout risks is much longer and depends on a multitude of factors, including your work situation, management and HR focus, and more.
How to mitigate sustainability burnout risks
Thankfully, we all have tools to help mitigate sustainability burnout risks. In an article for ESG Clarity, Matt Crossman, Stewardship Director at Rathbones, shares his insights from 20 years of working in responsible investing on how to avoid the risk of burnout when working with sustainability.
Based on his insights and our work with sustainability, mindset changes, and corporate sustainability culture, we have come up with the following points:
Set boundaries: Distinguish clearly in your work-life balance to prevent burnout.
Stay healthy: Good nutrition and sleep are fundamental to mental health in high-pressure roles.
Focus beyond yourself: celebrating others' achievements has a marked positive effect and can help mitigate burnout.
Seek community: Sharing knowledge and collaborating can reduce the overwhelming sense of responsibility.
Make space: It is crucial to remember to leave room for personal life and fun to avoid feeling isolated and burned out.
Ensure a supportive environment: Support networks at work and with peers provide forums for sharing experiences and emotions related to climate work.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Companies may offer counselling, coaching, and support services to help employees navigate sustainability work-related stress.
Promote 'Green Time': Encourage days spent in nature or volunteering to reconnect with the purpose of sustainability work.
Manager and leadership understanding: Leaders have the skills and mindset to address the emotional aspects of climate work empathetically.
Focus on the positives: Remember that even a small win is a win. Share good climate news and organisational wins to maintain a balanced perspective.
Collaborate: Cross-sector collaboration and sharing of best practices reduce siloed work, enhance impact, and can help you feel less isolated.
We want to add that while sustainability work is often challenging, filled with a sense of urgency and high emotional investment, it is also hugely rewarding.
What would you add to the list of different strategies to mitigate sustainability burnout risks? Let us know here or on our social media platforms.
