Joby Carlson is an accomplished independent management consultant specializing in sustainability and ESG strategies. With a strong background in corporate leadership, Carlson has made significant contributions to the sustainability efforts of renowned companies in multiple industry sectors.
As the former Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at 7-Eleven, Carlson successfully developed and managed the company’s sustainability, ESG, and philanthropy efforts, leaving a lasting impact. Prior to this, he spent nearly a decade at Walmart, where he played a pivotal role leading climate, energy, and sustainability programs on a national and international scale. Carlson’s responsibilities included advising executive leadership on climate and energy policy, overseeing crucial aspects such as emissions accounting and disclosures, climate risk assessments and driving emissions reduction efforts. His leadership resulted in high-impact investments in energy efficiency, renewables, vehicle electrification, and supplier engagement, resulting in substantial shared-value outcomes.
Under Carlson’s visionary leadership, Walmart achieved numerous milestones and gained global recognition for its climate action. Notable achievements include becoming the first global retailer to establish an approved Science Based Target in 2016, launching the industry-leading supplier initiative Project Gigaton in 2017, introducing the pioneering supply chain renewable energy program Gigaton PPA in 2019, designing Walmart’s comprehensive Zero Emissions pledge with interim targets for 2025, 2030, and 2035 in 2020, and spearheading Walmart’s ‘record-breaking’ $2 billion Green Bond issuance in 2021.
Equipped with an M.S. in Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Carlson possesses a robust academic foundation. He also holds several professional certifications, including Climate Change Professional (CC-P) from the Association of Climate Change Officers, GRI Professional, FSA Credential Level I from SASB, Envision-SP from ISI, and LEED-AP from USGBC. Carlson has volunteered as a technical advisor, committee and board member for several key industry trade groups and NGOs working to advance sustainability, conservation, and social impact.
In his current role as an independent consultant, Joby Carlson leverages his expertise and experience to assist organizations in developing and enhancing their sustainability and ESG strategies, contributing to a more just and sustainable future.
