Green & Net Zero Careers

What’s the role?

Climate scientists study changes in the Earth’s climate over time and how they might affect the planet in the future.

Where should I start?

Climate scientists combine their passion for the environment with technical and scientific knowledge to help combat climate change. 

Many climate scientists get started by completing a degree in a relevant subject such as: 

• environmental science or ecology
• geography, earth sciences or geology
• oceanography or marine science
• meteorology and climate science

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To help build your practical skills, it may be possible to gain experience through internships, placements or a year in industry during your course. 

Volunteering is also a great way to start gaining some practical experience. You could consider volunteering for local conservation groups or sustainability charities. 

Get ideas for volunteering opportunities here

What’s the role?

Conservation officers manage and protect the environment by promoting sustainability, educating others and providing information and analysis.

Where should I start?

Conservation Officers draw on both their passion and their knowledge and experience to help protect the environment and advise others.

To find out if this is the career for you, you could start by volunteering to gain some practical experience. You could consider volunteering for a local conservation group or organisations such as the National Trust. 

Get ideas for volunteering opportunities here

Search National Trust volunteering opportunities here or find local opportunities with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) here 

Many employers will also look for you to have a degree in a relevant environmental subject such as:

• biology/bioscience
• earth sciences
• ecology
• geography
• land/estate management
• sustainable development
• wildlife conservation

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What’s the role?

Energy assessors work out the energy efficiency of either commercial or domestic buildings like houses and flats.

Where should I start?

Energy Assessors have a direct impact on the environment by helping to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. 

To become an Energy Assessor, you’ll need to complete a Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment 

Find course providers here 

You’ll also need to become a member of an approved accreditation scheme. This will mean your details will be available on the register of accredited domestic energy assessors.

See the register here

What’s the role?

General Solicitors advise clients about the law and act on their behalf in legal matters. Environmental or Energy Lawyers advise specifically on environmental laws which are in place to protect the environment, human health, and manage how natural resources are used.

Where should I start?

Environmental Lawyers may be guided by their passion for the environment but they need to draw on a strong foundation of legal knowledge. There are a number of ways into this career.

Firstly you could consider completing an undergraduate degree. This could either be in law or you could take the opportunity to develop your environmental knowledge by completing a degree in a relevant environmental subject such as: 

• earth sciences
• ecology
• sustainable development 

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After graduating, you could then complete a one-year ‘law conversion’. This is formally known as a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or a Common Professional Examination (CPE) which focuses on teaching the core components of the law and legal system in a year.

To become a solicitor you would also need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), have two years relevant qualifying work experience.  

Alternatively, you could complete a solicitors degree apprenticeship to qualify as a solicitor. This combines study with on the job training to prepare you to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). 

To specialise in environmental law, you could consider completing a postgraduate qualification in environmental law.  

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Or you could gain experience by working for a relevant organisation. This could be in the private sector, public or charity & NGO sector. 

Relevant organisations could include: 

• The Environment Agency 
• Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• Greenpeace International 

What’s the role?

Policy officers carry out research, undertake consultations, and gather and analyse data in order to help decision-makers develop and shape policy.

Where should I start?

Policy Officers in this field need to draw on their environmental knowledge and use strong research and communication skills to advise and help shape environmental policy. There are a number of ways into this career 

You could start by taking a college course to build a general foundation in environmental topics 

Relevant courses could include:

• Level 2 Award & Certificate in Sustainability and the Green Environment
• Level 3 Certificate in Environmental Sustainability
• A Level in Environmental  Science

Find course providers here

To take this further, you could look into completing a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject such as:

• earth sciences
• ecology
• environmental science
• sustainability & development 

Search courses here

Alternatively, if you’d like to develop your research and communication skills more broadly you could consider completing a Level 4 Policy Officer apprenticeship. 

Get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here

What’s the role?

Forestry workers plant, manage and harvest trees and care for the environment in forests and woodland.

Where should I start?

Forestry Workers combine their environmental knowledge with practical skills to successfully manage woodland areas. There are loads of different ways into this career

Firstly, you could take a college course to learn some of the skills needed in this job. This could include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Land-based Technology
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production.

Find course providers here

Alternatively, if you’d like to start building some practical skills while you learn, you could consider a level 3 forest craftsperson apprenticeship. With experience, you could then complete a professional forester level 6 apprenticeship.

Find apprenticeships near to you here

Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here

Volunteering is also a great way of building your practical skills and boost your applications. You could consider volunteering for a a woodland or wildlife charity such as: 

• The Woodland Trust
• The Conservation Volunteers
• Forestry England 

Or get ideas for wider volunteering opportunities here. 

What’s the role?

Green Architects design buildings with the lowest possible negative impact on the surrounding environment by using sustainable materials and energy sources in construction. They also work on the restoration and conservation of existing buildings.

Where should I start?

By drawing on their strong knowledge of design, materials and construction, Green Architects can create buildings that help to reduce the negative impacts on our climate and natural environment. There are number of different ways you could develop these skills

You could start by completing a degree in architecture – you should check this is recognised by the Architects Registration Board

To fully qualify as an architect, you’ll also need to complete several years of practical work experience and a further postgraduate qualification in architecture. 

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Alternatively, if you’d like to study for the necessary qualifications while also gaining practical experience, you could complete an architect degree apprenticeship 

Find out more about architecture apprenticeships from the Royal Institute of British Architects

Or get started with wider advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here

To gain experience in green architecture, you could consider completing work experience in a sustainability focussed architecture organisation.

What’s the role?

Heat pump engineers design and install new heating/hot water systems that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Where should I start?

As Heat Pump Engineers are expected to be the most in-demand green job in the UK by 2028, this is a great career to explore!

To get started gaining the specialist technical knowledge needed, you could complete a relevant college course. This could include: 

• Level 2 Diploma in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Systems
• Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Engineering
• Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Installing and Commissioning Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems

Find course providers here

Alternatively, if you’d like to build your practical skills in the workplace, you could consider an apprenticeship such as:

• Level 3 Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Technician 
• Heat Pump Engineer
• Heat Pump Technician 

 Find apprenticeships near to you here

What’s the role?

Sustainability Consultants help companies and businesses become more socially and environmentally responsible in how they operate.

Where should I start?

Sustainability Consultants combine their interest in the environment with their skills in business and leadership. There are a number of different ways into this career. 

Employers will often look for you to have experience and skills in areas such as business or the built environment in addition to a knowledge of sustainability. 

You could start by taking a college course to build a general foundation in these areas. This could include: 

• Level 2 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment 
• Level 2 Award & Certificate in Sustainability and the Green Environment
• A Level in Business 

Find course providers here

To take this further, you could look into completing a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject such as:

• building and construction management
• business and management studies
• environmental science
• geography
• sustainability & development 

Search courses here

Alternatively, some employers may offer Sustainability Business Specialist apprenticeship opportunities which will combine study with workplace learning.  

Find apprenticeships near to you here

Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here

What’s the role?

Wind turbine technicians maintain and repair wind farm turbines on land and at sea.

Where should I start?

As the UK has some of the biggest wind farms in Europe, the engineering knowledge and technical skills of Wind Turbine Technicians are in growing demand. There are loads of different ways into this career 

Firstly, you could consider a college course which could help you to gain a trainee job with a wind turbine engineering company. This could include: 

• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology
• T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Find course providers here

You could also consider completing a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree which could help you to enter at a higher level. It would be a particular advantage if your course includes a year in industry. 

Relevant subjects could include:

• renewable energy engineering
• electrical or mechanical engineering
• electrical power engineering

Search courses here

Alternatively, if you’d like to gain practical experience while you learn, you could do a level 3 advanced apprenticeship as an engineering technician or a maintenance operations engineering technician.

Find apprenticeships near to you here Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here