Five careers to tackle climate change

According to a report by Forbes magazine, clean energy employment in America grew by 3.6% in 2018, making up more than 4% of all jobs added nationally in that year. It makes total sense that, as climate change becomes an increasingly pressing issue, the demand for workers with the skills and passion to protect the environment will grow. If you want to be one of them, use this guide to explore five rewarding career options.

Environmental consultant

What you’ll do

Environmental consultants are paid to give advice to businesses, local councils or central government about how best to navigate environmental issues. They are generally employed by consultancy firms, which are then hired by clients.

You could work on a range of environmental issues or specialise in one field, such as flood risk, waste and recycling or emission management.

What you’ll need

• excellent written and presentation skills
• scientific and numerical skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• project management and business skills

You’ll usually need a degree in Environmental science, Geography, Geology, or another related subject. Some employers may also ask for a postgraduate qualification or experience in the field.

For more information on salary, career progression, and qualifications, take a look at our Environmental consultant page in the Careers library.

Energy engineer

What you’ll do

Energy engineers work on the research, design and construction of power generation plants. Some are involved in drilling for gas and oil, but you could choose to specialise in renewable energy and be involved in developing cleaner, and more efficient, industrial processes which reduce greenhouse emissions.

What you’ll need

• problem-solving ability
• excellent mathematical and computer skills
• the ability to manage projects, budgets and people
• communication and teamwork skills

You’ll usually need a degree in Engineering or a related science subject, like Energy and environmental engineering, Electrical engineering, Environmental science or Geology. You may also need to have, or be working towards, a postgraduate qualification. This should be related to the area you wish to work in, like an MSc in renewable energy engineering.

You can also become qualified for this job through an apprenticeship.

For more information on salary, career progression, and qualifications, take a look at our Energy engineer page in the Careers library.

Climate change analyst

What you’ll do

Climate change analysts (as you might have guessed from the name) are right at the heart of tackling climate change. The job encompasses a vast number of different activities but, in general, they research and analyse developments related to climate change and propose changes that should be made, based on that research. 

You might work for local or central government (for example at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK) or for an organisation like a charity, think tank or lobby group. 

What you’ll need

• excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• communication and presentation skills
• the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise way

You'll usually need a degree in  Environmental science or a related subject such as Geology, Agriculture, Biology or Chemistry. It's becoming more common for employers to also ask for a postgraduate qualification, as well as some experience of working or volunteering in an environmental setting.

For more information on salary, career progression, and qualifications, take a look at our Climate change analyst page in the Careers library.

Recycling officer

What you’ll do

Recycling officers oversee the collection and disposal of recyclable waste from households and businesses. They promote recycling in the community and run local recycling schemes.

What you’ll need

• excellent communication and presentation skills
• the ability to analyse and interpret figures
• management and leadership skills
• the ability to manage budgets

There are lots of different routes to becoming a recycling officer. You could do an apprenticeship in the field of Environmental conservation, or work your way up through the waste management industry, gaining skills and qualifications along the way. Alternatively, you could do a degree or postgraduate course in waste management, or a related subject like Environmental science or Chemistry. 

Worth knowing: If you want to become qualified as a waste management or recycling officer in the UK, make sure you pick an apprenticeship or degree course that’s been accredited by The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM). 

For more information on salary, career progression, and qualifications, take a look at our Recycling officer page in the Careers library.

Working for an environmental charity

What you’ll do

There are so many different roles within a charity. You could support a cause as a fundraiser, volunteer organiser, or even charity director. There are plenty of different causes to choose from: at the Rainforest Alliance, for example, you could be working with producers of chocolate, coffee, bananas, and tea to help them meet sustainability standards. At Earthjustice you could work as an environmental lawyer, mounting lawsuits against companies which break environmental law.

What you’ll need

• a passion and interest for the cause you’re working for
• excellent speaking, writing, and presentation skills
• the ability to lead and motivate others
• administrative and organisational skills
• good maths skills for budgeting and keeping accounts

Because of the wide range of careers available in the charity sector, there is no single route to landing a job there. Each role will have its own requirements: working in a charity’s human resources department probably won’t require qualifications in environmental science, whereas being an environmental lawyer might. 

However, if you want to work for an environmental charity, then knowledge of the issue, either through hands-on volunteering experience or a degree in Environmental science, Geography, Geology, or other related subject, could be important. 

For more information on salary, career progression, and qualifications, take a look at our charity Fundraiser, Volunteer organiser, or Charity director pages in the Careers library.

Still looking? Head over to our Careers library and click on the ‘sustainability’ theme.