Phone:
+44 749 486 2650
Address:
London, United Kingdom.
Welcome to the 4th edition of the Energyz Black Community Spotlight series, a periodic publication aimed at highlighting, engaging with, and empowering Black professionals in the energy sector.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Dr Eghosa Igun, UK & Ireland Sustainability Manager at CBRE. I hold a BSc in Meteorology, an MSc in Sustainable Environmental Management, and a PhD in Climate and Environmental Sustainability. At CBRE I develop and optimise sustainability strategies across the business, working across multiple property portfolios.
What drew you into energy and sustainability, and what’s kept you there, even into academia?
Eghosa: I’ve always been interested in balancing economic development with environmental responsibility. As I learned more about climate change, I wanted to create solutions that drive growth while protecting the planet. My master’s at the University of Greenwich solidified how vital it is to integrate sustainability across business and urban planning. That led to a PhD focused on policy innovation and practical sustainable practices. I see real estate as a place we can make strong, scalable impact given the sector’s emissions and resource use, hence CBRE.
What excites you most about your role?
Eghosa: Real estate has a huge footprint on energy and carbon, so the chance to shape it is motivating. I work with clients to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and embed sustainable practices. With CBRE’s reach, the potential for widespread impact keeps me going every day.
Are your sustainability initiatives being adopted?
Eghosa: Yes—very much. I involve senior leadership from the design phase, which helps us implement well-thought-out strategies that have been highly commended.
Let’s talk about Diversity, Inclusion and Barriers
From your experience, what barriers limit the growth of Black talent in sustainability roles across the UK energy and real-estate sectors?
Eghosa: A major one is lack of representation and mentorship. Historic under-representation can create a cycle where younger professionals feel they don’t belong. There can also be biases in recruitment and promotion, and too few targeted initiatives to help people access networks and career development. I’m encouraged by groups like Energyz Black offering mentorship, CV reviews, skills programmes and job postings, they help break those barriers.
How can Black professionals, especially new entrants, overcome systemic barriers?
Eghosa: Put yourself out there. Attend networking sessions, show up consistently, and build relationships. Early on, I went to many events and grew a network rather than waiting for opportunities to land in my lap. That mindset helped me break through.
What practical steps can organisations take to foster inclusion and diversity in sustainability leadership?
Eghosa: Prioritise diversity at every level of recruitment and leadership. Build mentoring and learning pathways so people can grow. Create an inclusive culture where diverse voices are heard and valued. Partner with external DEI organisations and offer internships and scholarships to widen access.
Career Highlights
How have you personally navigated challenges linked to limited representation?
Eghosa: University felt diverse but the workplace was different. Competition can be intense, and I’ve sometimes been the only person of colour in the room, which can feel isolating. I’ve managed it by advocating for myself, building a supportive network, and speaking up to challenge the status quo. My experience has taught me that progress requires persistence and every voice matters.
A proud career moment?
Eghosa: Leading a team of five sustainability managers across Western Europe to transform a commercial property portfolio towards a low-carbon, net-zero future. It demanded innovative, out-of-the-box solutions and strong delivery. We finished on time and on budget, and seeing both the environmental benefits and the client’s progress towards low-carbon goals was very rewarding.
Advice and Skills
What advice do you have for young professionals entering energy and sustainability?
Eghosa: Stay curious. Keep learning and be open to exploring the sector’s many paths: policy, innovation, project management, and more. Build a strong network and seek mentorship. Above all, stay passionate about your purpose; the world needs problem-solvers committed to a better future.
Which skills and experiences are most essential for Sustainability/ESG roles?
Eghosa: Problem-solving first—companies hire you to solve problems. Then adaptability, a deep understanding of environmental issues, and the ability to communicate complex ideas simply to diverse stakeholders. Add project management, data analysis, and strategic thinking. A genuine commitment to sustainable practice and care for human welfare and liveable environments also matter.
How can early-career professionals make meaningful impact without extensive experience?
Eghosa: Contribute where you can, in your community or organisation. Propose initiatives that enable greener solutions and volunteer to raise awareness. Show willingness to learn, ask questions, and take on new challenges—it signals commitment.
And for mid-career professionals?
Eghosa: Keep improving yourself and put yourself forward inside the business. It’s easy, especially for people of colour, to feel your voice won’t be heard, but organisations do want to hear it.
The Energy Transition
How do you see the energy transition evolving over the next decade. globally and in real estate?
Eghosa: We’ll see continued advances in renewables—solar and wind becoming more cost-effective and widely adopted, supported by energy storage and battery modernisation to improve reliability. Decarbonisation beyond power, especially in transport and manufacturing. will gain momentum through electrification and, where appropriate, green hydrogen.
What roles will innovative financing and technology play?
Eghosa: Green bonds and impact investment funds will channel capital to sustainable infrastructure. Technology, from smart grids to carbon capture and storage, will be central. Rapid development should lower costs and open new markets for green solutions, helping deliver net-zero targets.
Looking Ahead
What are you personally looking forward to in your career over the next five years?
Eghosa: (laughs) I want to reach the top of my career, to be Head of Sustainability, potentially group-wide and global. That’s the goal I’m working towards.
The 4th edition of the Energyz Black Community Spotlight was compiled by Ope and Pheobe, CollabQuest team.
