Selma Mirhan Göğüş
What employment sector do you work in?
Academia Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
15 years
Please describe the work that you do.
I am a sustainability and climate change expert with over 15 years of experience in corporate environmental transparency, climate governance, and policy development. My work focuses on enhancing corporate environmental responsibility through reporting frameworks on climate change, water security, and forests, while also engaging with private, public, and civil society stakeholders to advance climate action. I have extensive experience in environmental policy development.
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
I am passionate about driving systemic change in corporate sustainability and climate governance. I find it incredibly rewarding to help organizations improve their environmental impact, integrate sustainability into their strategies, and enhance transparency. Additionally, engaging with global sustainability networks, policy discussions, and multi-stakeholder collaborations allows me to stay at the forefront of environmental innovation and best practices.
What inspired you into this career?
My inspiration for pursuing a career in sustainability and climate governance stems from a deep passion for environmental protection and the belief that corporate and policy-driven action is key to addressing global climate challenges. During my academic journey, studying European political economy and governance, I became increasingly interested in how environmental policies intersect with economic and business strategies. This led me to explore corporate sustainability, climate change policies, and environmental reporting as powerful tools for systemic change.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
Yes, there have been several challenges throughout my career, especially in the early years. One of the main challenges was navigating the complexities of corporate sustainability, particularly when convincing companies of the long-term value of environmental reporting and climate governance. Often, organizations would be more focused on short-term financial goals rather than integrating sustainability into their core business models.
Another challenge has been staying ahead of rapidly evolving environmental regulations and ensuring that businesses are aligned with both local and international standards. As the Country Manager at CDP Türkiye, it has been crucial to continuously build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders across sectors to ensure consistent engagement and collaboration, despite sometimes varying levels of understanding or urgency around environmental issues.
What education/training did you have?
I hold an MSc in European Political Economy from the London School of Economics (LSE), where I gained a deep understanding of the intersection between political, economic, and environmental factors at the European and global levels. This was complemented by a MA in European Studies from Sabancı University and the University of Aarhus, where I focused on policy analysis, governance, and sustainability practices in Europe.
Additionally, I earned a BA in Political Science and International Relations from Marmara University, which laid the foundation for my interest in environmental policy, governance, and international relations.
Throughout my career, I have also pursued additional training and certifications in sustainability, climate change management, and corporate environmental reporting to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
I’d recommend gaining practical experience by working with a variety of stakeholders, such as businesses, policymakers, and NGOs, to understand the diverse perspectives on sustainability. Building relationships and collaborating across sectors is essential to driving real, meaningful change.
—
Tags: International, Environmental adviser, Policy and law roles, Sustainability adviser
Date profile submitted: 18/02/2025
Related Job Profiles
Sachi Patel
Reena Bhavsar
Itziar Insausti
