Zaid Abdullah Ibn Jiffry

Zaid Abdullah Ibn Jiffry

Graduate Sustainability Consultant

Tell us about yourself

I completed my B.Tech in mechanical engineering in 2021, and undertook internships in the automobile sector in India and the oil and gas sector in Malaysia. My professional career began with a 1-year stint as a design engineer at a manufacturing firm in India, who supplied heating and cooling solutions for heavy vehicle manufacturers internationally.

I decided to pursue an MSc in Renewable Energy, focusing on the management side of things, at Cranfield University, which I successfully completed in 2023. It was a great experience, where I had the privilege to work alongside other bright and talented individuals on projects like a hydrogen from waste plant that would be located in the Midlands, and studying the possibility of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at an airport in Denmark to meet the decarbonisation efforts of the aviation sector and Denmark in tandem.

Following my graduation from Cranfield University, I joined the brilliant team at TÜV SÜD as a Graduate Sustainability Consultant in the Green Energy and Sustainability (GES) team.

Why did you choose to join TÜV SÜD?

I chose to join TÜV SÜD as I wanted to be a part of a team of diverse individuals. TÜV SÜD is a multinational organisation, with a global presence , and in my brief time here at the company, it’s been a pleasure to meet and work with some great people. I also chose to join the GES team as I could play a part in the global push for sustainability.

Where do you work?

I mainly work from my quaint home!

What are your main areas of expertise?

I currently work in the field of carbon accounting, mainly carbon footprinting and certification of low carbon/renewable hydrogen.

What does your role involve?

As a graduate sustainability consultant, I do a mix of auditing and consulting work. I accompany our auditors on site audits to learn the ins and outs of the auditing process, what is required of an auditor, and how to engage with clients during audits. As a consultant, I provide clients with insights on the various sustainability schemes and programmes that are available, and which one would suit their needs best.

What most interests you about your role?

The opportunity to work with organisations that view sustainability as an integral part of their business operations is what excites me the most. A big part of my role as a graduate sustainability consultant is to ensure that the client’s claims of sustainability are valid and verifiable, which ensures that sustainability initiatives are providing real world benefits.

What exciting developments have you seen at TÜV SÜD since you started?

The Green Energy and Sustainability (GES) team has grown exponentially. The team are striving to provide services that support the UK’s push for sustainability, and we hope to play an integral role in achieving the UK’s sustainability goals now and in the future.

What future trends do you see developing in your area of work?

I believe that Power to X (PtX or P2X) projects will play a key role in the UK’s decarbonisation goals. These are large-scale projects, implementing renewable technologies and sustainable supply chains that would help achieve a stable, secure and sustainable energy supply.

What is your biggest challenge?

Implementing sustainability is not a straightforward task. Sustainability as a concept interacts with many other facets of our daily lives, and achieving sustainability is not as simple as replacing coal power plants with solar and wind farms. My biggest challenge at the moment is to ensure that sustainability is achieved across all aspects, and helping stakeholders understand that sustainability needs to be considered in every aspect of their daily operations.

What do you see as the top perk of working for TÜV SÜD?

To me, the biggest perk of working at TÜV SÜD is working with highly supportive colleagues, who understand what it means to work as a team and help you thrive as an individual, personally, and professionally. (Shoutout to our mental health first aiders!) The company also provides comprehensive employee benefits and wellbeing services which are a big plus. I’ve also been given opportunities to attend training programmes and events, which I believe will help my career development.

How have TÜV SÜD supported you?

I’ve had numerous opportunities to interact with experts in the field, to connect with a diverse group of individuals and also attend training programmes that are important for my career as an auditor and as a consultant.

Describe your fellow workers in five words

Talented, knowledgeable, compassionate, enthusiastic, and human.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of applying for a role similar to yours?

While it’s important that you have the necessary qualifications, knowledge, etc. TÜV SÜD also focuses on you as an individual. If you’re keen to learn and willing to put yourself out there and embrace the challenge, then you’ll fit right in!

ADDITIONAL INFO

TÜV SÜD Resources

What is the UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard? Blog Post 

Want to find out how we can support your business with our Green Energy and Sustainability services?

Contact our team to discuss your project or explore our carbon management and sustainability services.

You may also be interested in our range of hydrogen safety training courses and our sustainability and CSR courses.

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