There are many challenges, but I am optimistic. Younger generations recognize the value of the Earth and are seeking innovative solutions. A lot is happening, and ultimately, we will all be forced to confront the issue – the natural disasters and weather phenomena speak for themselves.
Annika Butzbach,
“Sustainability is no longer a „nice-to-have“ – it’s a „must-have“ and the foundation of our future.”
What inspired you to work in the field of sustainability?
I studied Environmental Science – a decision that turned out to be perfect for me. At university, there was a strong emphasis on sustainability, and I quickly realized how much I enjoyed the topic and how diverse it was. That’s why I chose to take Business Psychology as a minor, to better understand how to motivate people to adopt sustainable behavior.
How do you feel when you see that your work can bring about positive changes in the environment or in society?
It’s incredibly fulfilling. I didn’t always realize it before, but now I see how important it is to do something meaningful. Of course, there are setbacks, but overall I feel that my work can truly make a difference. In academia, I also worked in a practical way, but at Rokaflex I can directly see the results – and that motivates me immensely.
Is there a project you are particularly proud of?
Yes, the ISO 14001 project for environmental certification. It was the biggest project I’ve worked on so far – and successfully completed. I’m especially proud of it, not necessarily because it had a huge sustainability impact, but because it was a cross-company project. I collaborated with colleagues from different companies to coordinate everything and bring it to a successful conclusion – despite some challenges.
It was a really great experience, and I truly enjoyed it. And that was just the beginning.
What do you wish for from society or companies to achieve sustainability goals more effectively?
I wish we would take more action and talk less. Of course, it’s important to discuss sustainability, but often too much time is spent overthinking before anything is actually done. Of course, I’m completely against greenwashing! But we often don’t have enough space to experiment because there’s always the fear of being criticized for every little decision. Everything has to be perfect and ambitious right away, but that only leads to nothing happening at all. Instead, we should focus on smaller steps and just give things a try.
How do you see the future of sustainability, and what hopes or concerns do you have regarding upcoming generations?
Do you believe that progress is slowly being made when it comes to sustainability?
Yes, definitely something is happening on a larger scale. When I started my studies in 2014, people would still ask, „What do you want to do with that?” But by 2020, when I finished my master’s, the topic was already much more present.
Sustainability is no longer a „nice-to-have,” but a „must-have.”