Satrio Dwi Prakoso - SEP Case Story

Satrio Prakoso is an accredited professional in the green building and sustainability field. He is the Director and Principal Consultant of Sustainahaus, a sustainability consulting firm in Asia. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Satrio helps clients achieve green building certifications such as LEED, EDGE, WELL, Greenship, etc, as well as manage and improve ESG programs for organizations, such as Sustainability reporting and assurance, GHG accounting, GRESB, and net-zero strategy. In this interview, he shares why he pursued his Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) credential and tips for those starting out in the field.

What brought you to this moment in your career where the Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) credential made sense for you?

My journey into the world of sustainability began during my academic pursuits, where I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on New and Renewable Energy. Yet, this narrative began in 2015, a time when the world's thirst for sustainability expertise in Indonesia was in its nascent stage.

My story took a pivotal turn during my tenure at a Construction Management firm, where I was responsible for the MEP works in a LEED Platinum building in Jakarta's CBD. This experience ignited my passion for green building and sustainable practices. The plot thickened as I transitioned to a real estate asset management company that invests in sustainable real estate projects across Asia. Under the visionary leadership of the Green Building Steering Committee, the sustainability team (including me) steered the ship towards unprecedented success, making the firm a leader in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores in GRESB and attaining multiple green building certifications.

As the demand for sustainability reverberated louder within Indonesia, I heeded the call by founding Sustainahaus in 2020. This consulting firm was conceived to deliver expert counsel in green building and sustainability. I recognize that this mission demanded more than just fervor; it needed comprehensive knowledge, unwavering adherence to best practices, and a strategic vision to navigate the intricate landscape of sustainability programs for our clients.

In my relentless quest for excellence in sustainability, I worked with the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) on a multitude of green building certification projects. They manage diverse sustainability certification programs, including the Sustainability Excellence certification. My journey led me to earn the Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) certification in 2020 and, more recently, the distinguished Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) certification in 2023.

How are you putting the knowledge, skills and ability demonstrated in the SEP to work in your career (or work) today?

The SEP certification acts as the bridge connecting the intricate puzzle of sustainability frameworks to the real-world implementation within corporate sustainability initiatives. It's crucial to have a trusty guide in your pocket, showing you how to navigate the labyrinth of stakeholder concerns and power dynamics, and how they impact the programs we steer. The stakes are high, as a failure to identify key stakeholders and grasp their needs can spell doom for even the most well-planned programs.

SEP provides me with the Plan-Evaluate-Implement-Adjust framework, a simple yet effective methodology for navigating sustainability programs. I utilize it as my compass, steering the client in setting clear goals, devising solid strategies and tactics, partnering up with all stakeholders in a seamless implementation, spotting and tackling challenges, and continuously honing the client's sustainability game. With this framework in hand, we've been able to effectively guide the clients toward their sustainability goals, serving as their trusted advisors on this critical journey.

For those starting out in the sustainability field, what advice do you have for them?

Sustainability is an ongoing journey for organizations. Some trailblazers have been spearheading initiatives that far exceed the bare minimum, setting the bar high. Meanwhile, others are just embarking on the journey, realizing the potential for enhancing their bottom line through sustainable practices. The same holds true for sustainability practitioners.

For those who are just beginning to follow this path, continuous learning is the linchpin. Leveraging resources like SEA and SEP is extremely important to have a body of knowledge at your disposal. Yet, don't stop there. Learn from the seasoned pros and the communities in the field. Look for mentors who can guide you through the intricacies of sustainability. Join vibrant communities, like the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), to be part of a collective force that propels your career in sustainability to new heights. In the world of sustainability, running alongside experts and a supportive community is like having a turbocharger for cars. Full throttle!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Read perspectives from the ISSP blog

Turning Member Feedback into Action: ISSP’s 2026 Strategic Plan

By By Elizabeth Dinschel & Bangaly Kourouma • January 16, 2026

January 16, 2026 At the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), strategy is not theoretical. It is practical, action-oriented, and grounded in the real needs of sustainability professionals working in complex and rapidly evolving environments. The ISSP 2026 Strategic Plan is a one-year, execution-focused roadmap designed to strengthen ISSP’s role as a global professional association for sustainability practitioners. Built directly from member feedback gathered through Town Halls, surveys, and ongoing conversations, the plan focuses on three strategic priorities: financial stability, relevant professional knowledge, and meaningful member engagement. This article explains what the 2026 Strategic Plan is, why these priorities matter, and how member input directly shaped ISSP’s direction. What the ISSP 2026 Strategic Plan Is—and Is Not The 2026 Strategic Plan is not a long-term vision statement or a five-year forecast. It is a focused, one-year plan designed to deliver measurable progress. The plan is intended to: Strengthen ISSP’s financial sustainability Modernize sustainability education and credential resources Improve the member experience across career stages Each priority includes defined actions, timelines, and success metrics, ensuring accountability and transparency.

Paper cut-out figures holding hands in a chain against a dark blue background.

Listening, Learning, and Rebuilding Connection: Reflections from Our First ISSP Town Hall

By Elizabeth Dinschel, December 18, 2025 • December 18, 2025

Elizabeth Dinschel, MA, MBA, is the Executive Director of ISSP Earlier this month, we hosted our first global ISSP Town Hall since I stepped into the role of Executive Director. I logged off that call energized, humbled, and deeply grateful for the honesty, generosity, and care that our members brought into the space. This Town Hall was never meant to be a one-way update. It was designed as a listening session — a chance for ISSP leadership and staff to hear directly from sustainability professionals across regions, sectors, and career stages. And you delivered. What follows are a few reflections on what I heard, what we learned, and where we’re headed next together. Why We Called This Town Hall ISSP has gone through a period of transition — new leadership, new staff, and a renewed focus on modernizing how we serve a truly global membership. Change can be energizing, but it can also create moments of uncertainty and disconnection. We knew we needed to pause, gather our community, and listen with intention. The Town Hall brought together members from multiple continents, industries, and disciplines. Sustainability practitioners, consultants, engineers, communicators, policy professionals, and career-transitioners all showed up with thoughtful questions and candid feedback. One thing was immediately clear: this community cares deeply about its work, about each other, and about ISSP’s role in supporting sustainability professionals at a challenging moment for the field.

Can sustainability be saved by tackling loneliness, not just CO₂ emissions?

By Raz Godelnik, Associate Professor • November 20, 2025

Raz Godelnik is an Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design — The New School. He is the author of Rethinking Corporate Sustainability in the Era of Climate Crisis . You can follow him on LinkedIn . Can sustainability be saved by tackling loneliness, not just CO₂ emissions? Earlier this month, I stopped at Sunshine Coffee in Laramie, Wyoming, on our way to Yellowstone Park. What brought me there was the fact that it’s a zero-waste coffee shop, with no single-use consumer items. In other words, there are no disposable cups — not for customers dining in, and not even for those who want their coffee to go, like I did. Instead, you can either bring your own reusable cup or get your drink in a glass jar for $1, which is refunded on your next order when you return it (or you can simply keep it, as I did). At first, I was excited about the zero-waste coffee shop concept, wondering what it would take for Starbucks and other coffee chains to adopt it and eliminate the waste that has become an integral part of our coffee (and other drinks) consumption. But as I waited for my coffee, I began to notice something else — something that had little to do with waste and everything to do with people. As I looked around, I noticed their stickers. Beneath the logo, it read: Zero waste. Community space . Suddenly it clicked — this coffee shop isn’t just about eliminating waste; it’s about creating a place where people feel connected. As owner and founder of Sunshine Coffee, Megan Johnson, explained in an interview with This is Laramie : “I wanted to bring sustainable values to Wyoming as well as build a business that serves the community.” That got me thinking about how the second part — serving the community — is integral to the first. After all, in a world where loneliness — a key barrier to people’s well-being — is on the rise, shouldn’t creating spaces for connection be just as central to sustainability as going zero waste?