With social and environmental issues taking center stage, sustainability is becoming an increasingly important focus area for businesses and professionals around the world. LinkedIn has emerged as a key platform for sustainability leaders and advocates to connect, share insights, and drive change. Whether you’re looking to educate yourself on sustainability, advance your career in this space, or connect with like-minded professionals, following the right voices on LinkedIn can provide invaluable learning and networking opportunities.
In this article, we provide recommendations on 10 of the top sustainability experts, thought leaders, and professionals to follow on LinkedIn today. From C-suite sustainability champions to activists driving change on the ground, this list features individuals and organizations at the cutting edge of sustainability across business, technology, policy, and society.
10 Sustainability Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn
Al Gore
With over 4 million followers on LinkedIn, former US vice president Al Gore is one of the most influential sustainability voices on the platform. Gore is renowned for his environmental activism and efforts to educate people on climate change. His Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth brought climate issues to the mainstream, and Gore continues to inspire action through initiatives like The Climate Reality Project. His regular posts on LinkedIn provide insights on renewable energy, policy developments, and technological solutions to the climate crisis. Gore demonstrates how leaders everywhere can drive change.
Dr. Katharine Wilkinson
Dr. Katharine Wilkinson is an author, strategist, and teacher working at the intersection of climate, justice, and leadership. As Vice President of Communication & Engagement at Project Drawdown, she is focused on solutions that can collectively overcome global warming. Dr. Wilkinson is also a Senior Writer at LinkedIn, where she regularly shares thoughts on environmental policy, sustainable business practices, climate activism, and more. Her page is a must-follow for perspective at the leading edge of environmental thinking.
Michael Bloomberg
Businessman, politician, philanthropist – Michael Bloomberg wears many hats, but sustainability is central to them all. Bloomberg served as the 108th Mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013 and was a pioneer of sustainable policies in areas like transportation, waste management, and green buildings. He established Bloomberg LP to make financial data more transparent and accessible. As UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, Bloomberg is now leading initiatives to accelerate decarbonization in high-emitting sectors. His regular LinkedIn posts provide an insider’s view on how the private sector can drive climate action at scale.
Marc Benioff
Billionaire businessman Marc Benioff is Chairman, Co-CEO and Founder of Salesforce – one of the most successful and disruptive software companies worldwide. Under Benioff’s leadership, Salesforce has embedded sustainability across its operations and value chain. The company aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 and conserve/restore 100 million trees by 2030. An outspoken advocate for responsible capitalism, Benioff also co-founded the 1t.org US Stakeholder Council to support trillion tree reforestation. His feed gives a front row view into how tech leaders can leverage their platforms for good.
Indra Nooyi
Indra Nooyi served as Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo between 2006 – 2019, one of only a handful of female leaders of Fortune 500 companies. Under her leadership, PepsiCo embedded environmental and social considerations into its commercial strategy, business operations, and product innovation. For example, the company sought to increase access to nutritious foods and beverages while reducing packaging waste. Nooyi now serves as a Director on Amazon’s Board, advising on their sustainability priorities. She is a powerful example of values-driven leadership in the C-suite.
Mary Barra
As Chairman and CEO of General Motors (GM) since 2014, Mary Barra is leading the automaker’s transition towards an all-electric, zero emissions future. GM recently announced plans to exclusively offer electric vehicles by 2035, a dramatic shift that will significantly reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Barra has also committed GM to powering all US facilities with renewable energy by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. Her regular LinkedIn updates provide an inside look at sustainability-driven transformation in the automotive sector.
Patagonia
With over 1.5 million followers on LinkedIn, Patagonia is one of the most recognizable and influential sustainable brands today. Through product innovation, supply chain transparency, environmental activism and grassroots organizing, Patagonia makes business a “force for good.” The company’s LinkedIn page and those of senior leaders like CEO Ryan Gellert feature inspiring stories about connecting communities to nature, regenerating resources, and catalyzing wider change beyond Patagonia’s own four walls. A must-follow for purpose-driven branding.
IKEA
Swedish home furnishings giant IKEA has integrated sustainability across its operations, from renewable energy and circular product design to ethical sourcing and sustainable living inspiration for customers. With initiatives like its People & Planet Positive strategy to become climate positive by 2030, IKEA aims to drive large-scale environmental and social change well beyond its own footprint. Following IKEA and its leadership team on LinkedIn provides regular insights on how sustainability can become part of any large company’s DNA.
Paul Polman
Veteran business leader Paul Polman is renowned for his trailblazing work integrating sustainability principles into Unilever during his ten years as CEO. Under his leadership, Unilever adopted sustainability strategies like the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan and set bold greenhouse gas reduction targets. Among Polman’s many achievements: Unilever was ranked #1 in the 2017 GlobeScan/SustainAbility Global Corporate Sustainability Leaders survey under his leadership. Follow Polman for his unique perspective at the intersection of business leadership and sustainability.
John Doerr
As Chairman of leading venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, John Doerr is one of the most respected voices in Silicon Valley investing. He has a passion for investing in transformative solutions to climate change, recently announcing Kleiner Perkins’ $1 billion initiative to back climate tech companies. Doerr also authored the NY Times bestseller “Speed and Scale: Unlocking a Clean Energy Future” on solutions to the climate crisis. His regular LinkedIn posts highlight exciting startups and innovations across renewable energy, sustainable food systems, green transportation and more. A top voice on climate tech investment.
Tips for Growing Your Sustainability Network on LinkedIn
Beyond just following leading voices, here are some tips for using LinkedIn to build your own sustainability knowledge, profile and network:
Join LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn Groups like Sustainable Development Goals Professionals (over 190,000 members), GreenBiz (43,000+ members) and Renewable Energy World Network (18,000+ members) enable you to connect with like-minded professionals, share resources, and nurture relationships. Monitor discussions and contribute your own insights.
Follow Companies Committed to Sustainability
In addition to the brands mentioned earlier, identify leading sustainable businesses in your industry and follow their company pages. This gives visibility into their priorities, initiatives and job opportunities.
Attend LinkedIn Events on Sustainability Topics
LinkedIn frequently hosts online events focused on sustainability issues, featuring experts across nonprofits, academia, government and business. Attend these events to gain knowledge and potentially connect with other attendees.
Showcase Your Sustainability Experience and Interests
Update your LinkedIn profile to highlight any sustainability-related volunteer work, education, skills or causes you support. This authentic personal branding helps attract opportunities aligned with your passions.
Follow Higher Education Institutions with Sustainability Programs
Leading academic institutions globally are advancing sustainability research and education. Follow relevant schools and their professors to stay up-to-date on the latest thinking and programs.
Search for and Connect with Sustainability Influencers
Leverage LinkedIn’s advanced search to find influencers, experts and professionals in sustainability domains that interest you. Proactively connect with them to start building relationships.
Engage with Sustainability Content and Thought Leadership
Actively like, share and comment on sustainability articles, posts and thought leadership content from influencers you follow. This raises your visibility and enables engaging exchanges.
Turn Connections into Conversations
Use LinkedIn messaging to initiate personal outreach and conversations with new sustainability connections, exploring shared interests, opportunities to collaborate, and scope for mutual support.
Join and Contribute to Sustainability Focused LinkedIn Groups
Seek out LinkedIn Groups focused on various sustainability topics, join those relevant to your interests and contribute helpful insights, ideas and articles to start meaningful conversations.
Follow Nonprofits and NGOs Advancing Sustainability
From established players like Greenpeace and WWF to smaller grassroots organizations, nonprofits are driving real impact on the ground. Follow their activity on LinkedIn to stay informed and discover partnership opportunities.
Help Colleagues Grow Their Sustainability Networks
Within your own company and network, recommend colleagues with shared sustainability passions follow influencers or groups you’ve found valuable. Pay it forward.
Why LinkedIn is Ideal for Building Sustainability Connections
Here are some key reasons LinkedIn delivers real value in advancing sustainability objectives and accelerating impact:
Presence of Sustainability Leaders and Influencers
From activists to academics, policymakers to investors, LinkedIn has become the platform of choice for many leading sustainability voices to publish ideas and engage audiences. Follow them here for unparalleled insights.
Large Professional Networks
With over 800 million members globally, LinkedIn enables connecting with sustainability champions around the world based on interests, geography, industry, employer, education and more.
Targeted Thought Leadership
Sustainability advocates actively publish focused articles, commentary and ideas on LinkedIn to drive awareness and change. Consume this content to stay on top of the latest thinking.
Vibrant Community Discussions
The platform’s extensive Groups feature enables engaging in productive community dialogues around important sustainability challenges and opportunities.
Diversity of Perspectives
Follow influencers across corporations, startups, think tanks, academia, nonprofits and more for a holistic multi-stakeholder pulse on key sustainability issues.
Business and Technology Focus
With its strong professional orientation, LinkedIn offers unique visibility into how sustainability is transforming business strategy, operations, products/services and employment.
Events and Learning Opportunities
LinkedIn frequently hosts online events, learning seminars and training on sustainability topics – great ways to increase your knowledge.
Job Openings and Career Prospects
Passionate about sustainability? Follow companies and search jobs on LinkedIn to uncover exciting new career opportunities aligned with your values.
Targeted Networking
Connect directly with fellow professionals, experts and potential partners based on sustainability interests and areas of focus to build fruitful relationships.
Conclusion
With sustainability becoming an urgent mainstream priority globally, LinkedIn has emerged as a highly effective platform to amplify impact – whether it is increasing awareness, accelerating careers, shaping policy/strategy, or driving action. By following the right voices, actively participating in dialogues, and growing your community, you can leverage LinkedIn’s vast reach to make a tangible sustainability difference. Consider the profiles recommended above a starting point on your journey.