Sustainability Consultant

What do they do?

Provide support to a wide range of public and private sector organisations around sustainability issues including environmental compliance, sustainability strategy and implementation, sustainable procurement and carbon and water footprinting.

What's a typical day like?

Mainly office based, a typical day might involve online research into regulatory requirements for a particular country in relation to a sustainability theme, a conference call with a client to discuss a new project or inputting data into an excel-based carbon footprinting tool.

This career would suit people with:

Good organisational and time-management skills with the ability to multi-task
Good interpersonal and communication skills
A good understanding and interest in corporate social sustainability (CSR) issues
A good understanding and interest in the key drivers and developments in sustainability affecting companies internationally

What makes it a green career?

Sustainability consultants not only help organisations to comply with the latest environmental legislation, they also help drive sustainability within organisations, through developing sustainability policies and strategies and helping companies and their supply chains to improve their CSR credentials.

What qualifications do you need?

Generally speaking a BSc in a relevant area is required, although people often switch from a different career path through undertaking a Masters on a relevant topic.

How much would you earn?

Starting salary approximately £18,000-£25,000 per year.