Several companies have created such environmental manager positions in the 21st century to formalize their commitment to the environment.
[1] Normally these responsibilities rest with the facility manager, who has provided cost effective resource and environmental control as part of the basic services necessary for the company to function.
However, as sustainability initiatives have expanded beyond the facility — so has the importance of the position to what is now a C-level executive role.
The position of CSO has not been standardized across industries and individual companies which leads it to take on differing roles depending on the organization.
[10] In Europe, the position is a forward-thinking one that interacts mostly with the big picture by incorporating and monitoring mid- to long-term sustainable objectives.
[11] The top three firms on Corporate Knights' The Global 100 index of the world's most sustainable corporations–Ørsted A/S, Chr.
The Pennsylvania State University was the first to appoint a CSO responsible for integrating sustainability in curriculum, research, operations, student engagement and community outreach.