overview.

The category of ‘green jobs’ has tended to focus on areas such as renewable energy, electric transport, energy efficiency or nature conservation. But as decarbonisation gathers pace and more and more companies announce Net Zero strategies, green jobs have quickly moved into the mainstream.

This is a chance to work at the cutting edge of innovation and make a difference for the planet.

key facts.

  • where people work

    • Start-ups
    • Research centres
    • Specialist consultancies
    • Strategy and operations teams of major businesses

  • education

    No particular requirement, but degree followed by postgraduate specialisation in environmental science is helpful.

  • impact of new technologies

    Investment is accelerating developments across the board.

in-demand skills & qualifications for environmental scientist.

  • duties and tasks

    • Evaluating habitat, wildlife and fisheries needs, and formulating management goals and objectives.
    • Carrying out environmental impact assessments for a wide range of development projects.
    • Proposing solutions to address negative environmental impact.
    • Studying the effects of factors such as terrain, altitude, climatic and environmental change, sources of nutrition, predators and the impacts of humans, on animal and plant life.
    • Studying and analysing pollution, atmospheric conditions, demographic characteristics, ecology, mineral, soil and water samples.
    • Developing conservation and management policies for biological resources, such as fish populations and forests, and establishing standards and developing approaches for the control of pollution and the rehabilitation of areas disturbed by activities such as mining, timber felling and overgrazing.

  • training & qualifications

    Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field Environmental Scientist. It is also common to complete postgraduate studies.

in-demand skills & qualifications for environmental manager.

  • duties and tasks

    • Develops and implements environmental strategies, to ensure sustainable development.
    • Coordinates all aspects of pollution control, waste management, recycling, environmental health, conservation and renewable energy to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
    • Audits, analyses and reports environmental performance to internal and external clients and regulatory bodies.
    • Carries out impact assessments to identify, assess and reduce an organisation's environmental risks and financial costs. 
    • Raises awareness and trains staff at all levels on environmental issues and responsibilities.

  • training and qualifications

    Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. It is also common to complete postgraduate studies.

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in-demand skills & qualifications for energy auditor.

  • duties & tasks

    • Advising on best practices. 
    • Measuring and analysing current energy usage. 
    • Developing action plans to cut costs, waste and emissions. 
    • Working with management to make the business case for investment in improvements.
    • Monitoring progress against plans and objectives.

  • training & qualifications

    • Bachelor’s Degree in construction or energy. Grounding in building techniques and environmental science is helpful.

in-demand skills & qualifications for wind and solar engineers.

  • duties & tasks

    • Varied: some design wind farms and solar energy installations. 
    • Varied: others work on the design and testing of components such as turbines, rotor blades and generation.

  • training & qualifications

    Wind engineer:

    • Bachelor's degree in energy engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related field.

    Solar engineer:

    • Bachelor's degree in chemistry, computer science, civil engineering or a related field.

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in-demand skills & qualifications for environmental lawyer.

  • duties & tasks

    • Advising corporations on legal obligations
    • Acting for claimants against pollution and other environmental damage  
    • Work with policymakers to draft environmental legislation

  • training & qualifications

    • Entry into the field is highly competitive and employers will be looking for both excellent academic results and a genuine interest in the environment.
    • Data science skills are also useful given the amount of complex information to analyse and advise clients on.

in-demand skills & qualifications for conservation scientist.

  • duties & tasks

    • Drawing up plans for managing nature reserves, forest lands and resources.
    • Directing and participating in forest-fire suppression.
    • Monitoring forest-cleared lands to ensure they are suitable for future use.
    • Designing and advising in land preservation, restoration and rewilding.

  • training & qualifications

    Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, agricultural science, natural resources or any related field.

in-demand skills & qualifications for transport planners.

  • duties & tasks

    • Preparing, assessing and implementing policies, plans and projects to improve and manage our transport systems.
    • Working with policymakers and communities to raise awareness of the importance and impact of transport.

  • training & qualifications

    Bachelor’s degree in logistics or supply chain management. Good analytical skills and passion for the environment are useful.

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