Careers in sustainability
With pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss increasingly dominating global discourse, the importance of embracing sustainability has never been more apparent.
As such, careers in sustainability play a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable, resilient, and environmentally conscious future.
Graduates today have the opportunity to pursue a diverse range of roles within this field, spanning sectors such as renewable energy, conservation, sustainable development, corporate sustainability, and environmental consultancy.
These roles not only offer the chance to make a positive impact on the planet but also provide rewarding and fulfilling career paths for individuals committed to driving sustainable change.
How much you know about sustainability and green careers?
Take the Sustainability Quiz
What are the different career fields within sustainability?
Environmental conservation
Careers in conservation focus on protecting and preserving natural habitats, species, and ecosystems. Professionals within this field operate across diverse urban and rural settings, gathering and analysing data to enhance environmental quality. Using their findings, they devise strategic projects and engage with stakeholders to foster sustainable practices.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
CSR professionals work within companies to develop and implement sustainable and socially responsible business practices. They focus on areas such as ethical sourcing, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and corporate philanthropy.
Environmental management
Environmental management professionals are responsible for assessing, monitoring, and managing the environmental impact of organisations, projects, or activities. They develop strategies to reduce environmental risks, ensure compliance with regulations, and promote sustainable practices.
Green chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry explains:
green chemistry seeks to reduce the chemical-related impact on human health and the environment by the use of alternative, environmentally friendly processes and reaction media
It isn't a separate branch of chemistry, but an approach that permeates every stage of process development.
Organic agriculture
Careers in organic agriculture involve sustainable farming practices that prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Organic farmers and agricultural specialists use natural methods to grow crops and raise livestock without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or genetically modified organisms.
Environmental law
Environmental lawyers specialise in legal issues related to environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability. They work on cases involving environmental regulations, land use planning, pollution control, and conservation policies.
Waste management
Waste management professionals are involved in the collection, recycling, treatment, and disposal of waste materials. They develop strategies to minimise waste generation, promote recycling and reuse, and manage hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.
Renewable energy
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy jobs have increased to 11.5 million globally with the UK employing 144,000 as stated by the UK National Grid Net Zero Energy Workforce Report. The same research also reveals that the industry will need to fill 400,000 jobs to deliver net zero emissions by 2050.
Careers in renewable energy focus on developing, implementing, and managing sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass. Professionals in this field work on projects related to energy generation, distribution, storage, and efficiency.
Climate change
Climate change specialists research, analyse, and address the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, communities, and economies. They develop mitigation and adaptation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote resilience, and address climate-related risks and vulnerabilities.
Typical employers include charities, national parks and local authorities. Conservation Careers provides a list of organisations and further careers advice.
What roles are available?
Here are some examples of the types of roles available.
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Analytical chemist: Analytical chemists in sustainability focus on evaluating environmental samples to identify pollutants, assess their impact on ecosystems, and develop strategies for pollution prevention and remediation.
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Carbon accountant: Carbon accountants are responsible for measuring, monitoring, and managing an organisation's carbon emissions and carbon footprint. They analyse data related to energy usage, transportation, and waste generation to calculate greenhouse gas emissions.
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Climate change analyst: Climate change analysts assess the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, communities, and economies. They conduct research, analyse data, and develop models to forecast future climate scenarios.
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Energy manager: Energy managers are responsible for reducing energy consumption and promoting energy efficiency within organisations.
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Environmental consultant: Environmental consultants advise businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organisations on environmental issues and regulatory compliance.
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Nature conservation officer: Nature conservation officers work to protect and manage natural landscapes, wildlife habitats, and protected areas.
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Recycling officer: Recycling officers are responsible for promoting recycling and waste reduction initiatives within communities or organisations.
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Sustainability consultant: Sustainability consultants help businesses and organisations integrate sustainability principles into their operations and decision-making processes.
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Waste management officer: Waste management officers oversee the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste materials in an environmentally responsible manner.
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Water engineer: Water engineers design and implement water management systems to ensure the sustainable use and conservation of water resources.
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Environmental solicitor: Environmental solicitors specialise in legal issues related to environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability. This includes providing legal advice to clients on environmental regulations, land use planning, pollution control, and environmental litigation.
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Ecotourism co-ordinator: Ecotourism coordinators develop and manage sustainable tourism programmes that promote environmental conservation and support local communities.
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Flood risk consultant: Flood risk consultants assess and manage the risks associated with flooding, including identifying vulnerable areas, evaluating flood protection measures, and developing flood risk management plans.
Take The Green Careers quiz to find out which careers might fit you.
What are the entry routes?
Embarking on a sustainability career can be exciting, but competition is fierce for inexperienced graduates. Postgraduate qualifications may be necessary, and low-paid or short-term roles could be vital to demonstrate your commitment to the environmental sector.
if you have little experience...
Volunteering with environmental organisations or community groups can be an excellent way to gain practical skills and build a network within the sustainability sector.
Additionally, seeking internships or graduate schemes with companies or NGOs focused on sustainability can provide valuable hands-on experience and insights into the industry.
If you have some experience...
Focus on honing your expertise through targeted education and networking. Consider pursuing specialised courses or certifications to deepen your knowledge in specific areas of interest.
Engage in networking opportunities on platforms such as LinkedIn, attend industry events, and actively participate in sustainability projects with companies. Use recruitment sites ACRE or Allen & York to stay connected with opportunities for career advancement.
Sustainability careers for arts and social science students
We invited five arts and social sciences graduates who work within the sustainability sector to talk to you about how they entered their career, the value of their degrees alongside the highs and lows of their careers and how contribute to a sustainable world.
- Mark Iliffe, Geographer for UN
- Ellen Salter, Senior Sustainability Consultant for Simply Sustainable
- Emma Taylor, Sustainability Officer for the University of Nottingham
- Lucy Dormandy, Corporate Sustainability Director for Wellington Management
- Jennifer Murray, ESG Manager, Rothesay
Login to SharePoint to watch the webinar
- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
How do I build my knowledge and skills?
To prepare yourself for a career in sustainability, it's vital to seek out opportunities for learning and skill development.
One effective approach is to immerse yourself in relevant content, such as online courses, articles from credible sources and podcasts featuring industry experts. Here are a few ideas:
Read our blog on preparing for a career in sustainability
Additionally, consider participating in virtual work experience opportunities, which offer hands-on learning experiences and the chance to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.
Forage offers free online job simulations relevant to a variety of sustainable career paths. These programmes are designed by employers, so completing them will help you to stand out when applying to work for them.
Explore more virtual internships
Where can I find work experience?
Exploring work experience opportunities is a crucial step towards kickstarting your journey in the field of sustainability. Whether you're looking to gain practical skills, expand your network, or make a difference in your community, there are various avenues available to you. Let's delve into some of the key opportunities where you can find valuable work experience in sustainability:
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Internships: Many companies offer internships specifically focused on sustainability, allowing participants to engage in projects related to environmental conservation, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development. Useful websites to find internships include Climate Action and The Environment Agency.
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Volunteering: Volunteering with environmental organisations, charities such as Friends of the Earth, or community groups is another excellent way to gain hands-on experience in sustainability.
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Nottingham Advantage Award (NAA) modules: Some Nottingham Advantage Award modules focus specifically on sustainability, allowing you to gain recognition for participating in the Sustainability Challenge and other experiential learning.
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Societies: Joining societies dedicated to sustainability allows you to connect with like-minded peers, participate in meaningful initiatives on campus and beyond, and develop leadership and teamwork skills. Consider joining the Conservation and Nature Society or the Green Economy Society to engage in activism, advocacy, and community projects related to environmental and social issues.
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Sustainability Challenge: The Sustainability Challenge gives you a chance to develop sustainability solutions for our campuses, build essential employability skills, and be in with a chance to win some amazing prizes including an internship.
Read the blog post: Sustainability Challenge: A personal reflection
Where can I find vacancies?
Sector vacancies
Environmental conservation and management
Environmental protection
Sustainable development and renewable energy
Organic agriculture
Environmental law
Charities and pressure groups
Employer profiles for sustainability practices
Windo provides access to the sustainability plans, progress and achievements of potential employers, connecting you with employers that will align with your values. There are also leaderboards to help you compare employers and checklists to assess their commitments.
Windo
Image by Cornell Frühauf from Pixabay