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How to get a job in sustainability

AuthorDarcy Nathan, editor
Posted on
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With climate change and corporate responsibility becoming global priorities, sustainability careers are booming. Whether you're passionate about environmental protection, renewable energy, or ethical business, there's a place for you in this growing field

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is a broad concept, but at its core it's about meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It takes a long‑term view of how we live, work and use resources.

In practice, sustainability brings together three closely connected areas:

  • economic responsibility - supporting long‑term, resilient growth rather than short term gain
  • environmental protection - safeguarding natural resources, ecosystems and biodiversity
  • social responsibility - promoting fairness, wellbeing and social justice.

As awareness of climate change, resource depletion and social inequality grows, sustainability has moved from the margins to the mainstream.

Demand for sustainability professionals is rising across many sectors, with roles such as sustainability analyst and environmental health and safety manager featuring among the fastest‑growing globally in recent years.

Sustainability professionals work across a range of industries, including:

  • corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • environmental policy and regulation
  • renewable energy and net zero
  • sustainable agriculture and land management
  • waste management and the circular economy.

This breadth means sustainability careers suit people with varied backgrounds - from science and engineering to business, policy and communications - who are interested in driving long term positive change.

What are the key roles in sustainability?

Sustainability roles are increasingly embedded across teams and sectors, rather than sitting in one specialist department.

As Rebecca Turner, senior manager in careers and education at the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), explains 'over the next decade, we predict an emerging green workforce in which every employee understands how sustainability can create economic value.'

That means graduates can find sustainability‑focused work in many different functions. Some common roles include:

  • Corporate responsibility executive - supports delivery of the organisation's corporate responsibility strategy (CRS), with a focus on meeting regulatory requirements and reporting deadlines.
  • Energy engineer - designs and implements energy‑efficient systems and technologies to reduce emissions and improve performance.
  • Environmental engineer - studies environmental problems and designs practical solutions to reduce harm and improve outcomes.
  • Sustainability consultant - develops and implements sustainability initiatives within an organisation, balancing environmental, social and economic priorities.

Search for sustainability roles.

Do I need a related degree?

A degree in sustainability or a closely related subject can be helpful, but it isn't essential. Many people working in sustainability come from a range of academic backgrounds and build their expertise over time.

A strong foundation for sustainability roles can be developed through degrees in areas such as:

Specialist courses can further strengthen your profile and help you move into more focused sustainability roles, focusing on:

  • environmental policy
  • renewable energy
  • sustainable business
  • urban planning.

Examples of degrees designed specifically around sustainability include:

Many of these courses draw heavily on the social sciences, including subjects such as sociology and anthropology. As Rebecca Turner, senior manager in careers and education at ISEP, explains 'there are increasing job roles within social impact. Sustainability isn't just about the environment. Being socially inclusive helps to ensure equal opportunities to individuals worldwide, so that everyone can achieve their full potential.'

Some programmes also integrate management and commercial principles, preparing graduates for sustainability roles within organisations. These may include modules on:

  • economic models that account for environmental and social costs
  • supply chain and procurement management
  • sustainable business strategy and decision making.

This makes sustainability degrees - and related courses - particularly relevant for roles that sit between:

  • business
  • environment
  • policy.

How do I get sustainability work experience?

Even if you have a directly related degree, practical work experience is often essential when applying for sustainability roles. Employers want to see how you've applied sustainability principles in real‑world contexts, not just studied them.

Volunteering

One of the most accessible ways to gain hands‑on experience and build your understanding of sustainability in action in by volunteering. Opportunities may include:

  • community gardens and food projects
  • local sustainability‑focused events or initiatives
  • volunteering with wildlife trusts or environmental charities.

Discover our tips on volunteering with animals.

For example, the Woodland Trust offers an environment monitor role, where volunteers carry out ecological surveys both on site and online - helping you develop data collection skills while demonstrating long‑term commitment.

If you're interested in tackling plastic pollution, Keep Britain Tidy's Ocean Recovery Project allows volunteers to support the circular economy by collecting and recycling beach plastics, combining environmental impact with practical learning.

These experiences help you build transferable skills such as data analysis, teamwork, communication and project delivery - all highly valued in sustainability roles.

Internships

Offering structured, paid or unpaid experience, internships are a common entry route into sustainability careers. Many organisations welcome applicants without prior sustainability experience, as long as you can demonstrate motivation and transferable skills.

You can find opportunities on specialist job boards such as:

Large organisations also run well‑established sustainability and ESG programmes. For example, PwC offers Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) internships within its risk and deals teams, focusing on sustainable transformation and net‑zero goals. Roche's Global Internship Programme in Innovation & Sustainability provides hands‑on experience working on real projects alongside senior leaders.

Internships are particularly valuable for building professional networks and can often lead to graduate or permanent roles. Search for internships in sustainability.

What skills do employers want?

Employers in the sustainability sector look for a mix of technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. The ability to collaborate effectively and lead change is essential, as many sustainability roles involve:

  • changing behaviour
  • gaining buy‑in for new initiatives
  • influencing decisions.

Employers also value people who can:

  • anticipate future sustainability challenges
  • help organisations respond strategically
  • understand emerging trends.

Depending on the role, technical skills employers may look for include:

  • Data analysis and reporting - the ability to collect, analyse and interpret data to measure environmental impact and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Knowledge of frameworks and standards - familiarity with recognised approaches such as B Corp, ESG reporting or sustainability metrics.
  • Sustainability literacy - a solid understanding of core sustainability principles, environmental science and climate change.

As transparency and accountability requirements increase, data handling and reporting skills are becoming particularly important.

Sustainability professionals often work with people from different backgrounds, so the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly - to both technical and non‑technical audiences - is crucial.

Employers also look for people who can:

  • analyse situations and assess risk
  • develop practical, creative solutions
  • identify root causes of sustainability challenges.

When applying for roles, focus on the skills and experience most relevant to the job description. Where possible:

  • link your skills to real‑world outcomes
  • quantify your achievements using data or measurable results
  • show genuine interest in sustainability and the organisation's environmental goals.

For more information about landing a sustainability job, see a guide to sustainable careers.

How do I apply for a job in sustainability?

As sustainability plays a growing role across most industries, it's important to look beyond traditional environmental organisations. Broadening your search will uncover more opportunities, as many sustainability roles sit within:

When searching for roles, use targeted keywords such as:

  • circular economy
  • corporate responsibility
  • ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)
  • net zero.

This will help you identify roles that may not explicitly include 'sustainability' in the job title but still have a strong environmental focus.

Specialist job boards can be particularly useful for finding sustainability‑focused vacancies. Try:

Alongside job boards, explore the careers pages of organisations with strong sustainability commitments, as many employers advertise roles directly.

Networking at industry events, webinars and talks can also help you build insight and make valuable connections.

Tailor your CV and cover letter for each role, clearly highlighting relevant:

  • education
  • experience
  • skills.

Focus on how your background aligns with the organisation's sustainability objectives, and use examples that demonstrate impact wherever possible.

In interviews, be prepared to show that you understand:

  • current sustainability trends and challenges
  • how your skills could help the organisation meet its sustainability goals
  • relevant policies, regulations or reporting requirements.

Emphasise transferable skills such as communication, project management and analysis, and explain how you've applied them in sustainability‑related contexts. Showing genuine enthusiasm for sustainability - and for the employer's specific work - can make a real difference.

How much can I be paid working in sustainability?

Salaries in sustainability vary widely depending on the:

  • location
  • role
  • sector.

As the field continues to grow and regulation increases, pay levels can also shift from year to year in response to demand.

In the UK, entry‑level sustainability roles typically start at around £22,000 to £30,000. Starting salaries depend on factors such as:

  • geographic location
  • the employer and sector
  • the level of responsibility within the role.

Graduate roles in larger organisations or consultancies may sit at the higher end of this range.

With experience, salaries can rise quickly. Mid‑level roles commonly pay between £28,000 and £60,000, particularly in consultancy, corporate sustainability and regulated industries.

Sustainability managers in the UK typically earn between £45,000 and £55,000, with salaries increasing further at senior and leadership level. Roles that combine sustainability expertise with commercial or technical responsibility often command higher pay.

While pay can vary, sustainability careers offer strong long term earning potential, particularly as organisations continue to embed sustainability into core business strategy.

For more detailed salary information by role, see our environment and agriculture job profiles.

How do I get into sustainability consulting?

Sustainability consulting is a competitive field, so building a strong foundation of experience is essential. Many consultants start out in entry‑level roles related to sustainability, environmental management or corporate social responsibility (CSR), where they develop practical skills and sector knowledge before moving into consultancy.

To strengthen your profile further, a postgraduate qualification in sustainability or a related subject can be beneficial - particularly for roles that combine technical knowledge with business and advisory skills.

For example, the MSc Sustainability and Management at the University of Bath equips graduates from a range of academic backgrounds with management skills focused on sustainability. The course includes modules such as company consultancy projects and sustainable operations management, alongside opportunities for networking and international business challenges. This makes it particularly well suited to those aiming for client‑facing consultancy roles.

Similarly, the MSc Sustainability and Consultancy at the University of Leeds combines sustainability principles with project management and consultancy skills. Students gain hands‑on experience through real‑world consulting projects with industry partners, helping them build confidence and practical insight. The programme is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), which can add further credibility with employers.

Alongside qualifications, sustainability consultants typically need to demonstrate:

  • an understanding of organisational decision making
  • commercial awareness
  • project management and stakeholder engagement experience
  • strong analytical and problem solving skills
  • the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to clients.

Gaining experience through internships, graduate schemes or sustainability‑focused roles within organisations can help you develop these skills before moving into consulting.

Discover what skills employers want.

What professional qualifications can I get in sustainability?

In the rapidly evolving field of sustainability, continuing professional development (CPD) is a necessity. The nature of environmental science, policy, and technology means that professionals need to keep updated.

One way to boost your qualifications is through professional certifications. Courses like the Certified Sustainability (ESG) Practitioner offered by the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) give you the training and exams to prove your expertise in implementing sustainability strategies.

You can also explore sustainability and ESG credentials offered through The International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS), such as the FSA Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential, which focuses on analysing sustainability‑related risks and opportunities through company reporting.

'Membership of a professional body such as the Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals (ISEP) - can really help individuals to stand out in their application, as it shows dedication and commitment to the profession. Many roles require some level of professional recognition and job adverts sometimes state this as desirable in the specification,' explains Rebecca.

Find out more

Written by Darcy Nathan, editor

Prospects · April 2026