Sustainability Consultant
Helps organisations reduce their environmental impact and meet climate commitments.
Why it may fit you
- Included to widen the options you have seen
Your evidence for this career
Based only on the experiences and strengths you have entered. Add more in My Evidence.
Strong evidence
Nothing here yet — two experiences showing the same skill will move it here.
Some evidence
Nothing here yet.
Evidence to build
- Communication
- Listening
- Presenting
- Teamwork
- Working with data
- Analysis
- Digital skills
- Research
- Project management
- Attention to detail
- Commercial awareness
- Planning
What you may need to develop
Communication
Why it matters: Named in almost every job advert, and usually tested at interview.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Ask for written feedback after a presentation or piece of writing
- • Write a short summary of something technical for a general reader
Listening
Why it matters: Underrated, and central to advisory, care and client roles.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Volunteer in a support, buddy or peer-mentoring scheme
- • Interview someone about their career and write three notes from it
Presenting
Why it matters: Being able to explain your work clearly is often what gets it noticed.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Volunteer to present your group's work
- • Record yourself explaining your project in two minutes and keep the notes
- • Join a society that involves speaking to a group
Teamwork
Why it matters: Employers want a specific example, not the word itself.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Write up one team experience: your role, a disagreement, what you did
- • Join a team activity outside your course
What they do
Sustainability consultants work with companies, councils and charities to understand the impact their activities have on the planet, then advise on practical changes — from energy use and waste to reporting and supply chains.
What your day could involve
- Meeting a client team to understand how they currently use energy
- Collecting and checking data on emissions, waste or water use
- Building a simple model or dashboard to show where impact comes from
- Writing a short recommendations report
- Presenting findings to managers and answering their questions
- Researching new regulations or reporting standards
Skills employers often look for
People skills
- • Communication
- • Listening
- • Presenting
- • Teamwork
Technical skills
- • Working with data
- • Analysis
- • Digital skills
- • Research
Professional skills
- • Project management
- • Attention to detail
- • Commercial awareness
- • Planning
Qualifications
There is usually more than one way in. A degree is one route — not the only one.
Typical degree routes
- • Environmental science
- • Geography
- • Engineering
- • Business
- • Any degree with strong analysis
Apprenticeships
- • Sustainability business specialist apprenticeship
- • Data analyst apprenticeship
Other routes in
- • Entry-level analyst roles then internal training
- • Moving across from operations, finance or facilities
Certifications worth exploring
Only worth doing if it helps you. Experience and evidence usually matter more than collecting certificates.
Useful now
- Free carbon literacy or climate basics course
Gives you the vocabulary employers use in interviews. - Excel or Google Sheets fundamentals
Most sustainability work starts with a spreadsheet.
Useful later
- IEMA Foundation Certificate
Widely recognised once you are working in the field. - Power BI or Tableau basics
Useful for turning impact data into something people act on.
Optional specialist
- GHG accounting / carbon footprinting
Only worth it if you move into emissions reporting. - Energy assessment qualifications
For buildings-focused roles specifically.
Organisations to Put on Your Radar
Examples to explore — illustrative, not job adverts or endorsements
Large employers
A global professional services firm
Consulting
Roles to look for: Graduate sustainability consultant, analyst
Why explore it: Structured graduate schemes and broad client exposure.
Specialist organisations
A specialist climate consultancy
Environmental consulting
Roles to look for: Carbon analyst, reporting assistant
Why explore it: Deep technical learning in a small team.
Public sector
A city or county council
Local government
Roles to look for: Climate officer, project support
Why explore it: Community-facing work and clear public purpose.
Charities and NGOs
An environmental charity or NGO
Third sector
Roles to look for: Campaign assistant, programme support
Why explore it: Great for mission-driven work and volunteering routes.
Start-ups and growing companies
A climate-tech start-up
Technology
Roles to look for: Operations analyst, junior product roles
Why explore it: Broad responsibility early and fast learning.
Organisations in my region
A large employer near you
Varies by region
Roles to look for: Graduate schemes, apprenticeships
Why explore it: Search '<your town> sustainability jobs' to find local options.
What should I look for on an employer's website?
- Graduate programmes — Structured schemes with training, usually opening a year before they start.
- Apprenticeships — Earn while you learn. Look for the level — Level 2 or 3 up to degree level.
- Internships — Paid experience over summer or a placement year. Often the main route into graduate roles.
- Insight days — One-day or one-week introductions, often for Year 12, 13 or first-year students.
- Volunteering — Many employers run volunteering days or support local projects you could join.
- Work experience — Short placements or shadowing. Ask directly — many are never advertised.
- Entry-level roles — Assistant, coordinator or support job titles are real doors into a career.