New Publication: Building a Career in Sustainability Consulting
A new guide for graduates and sustainability professionals looking to build their careers in sustainability consultancy has been published by Chronos Sustainability. The Guide will be launched at an event this evening at the London School of Economics and is available here: The Chronos Sustainability Guide to Careers in Sustainability
Sustainability consultants work with organisations to tackle some of today’s most pressing global challenges – from climate change and biodiversity loss to resource efficiency, human rights, and changing regulations. Their projects can involve developing sustainability strategies, ensuring compliance, managing risks, or providing technical advice. As demand grows for genuine and measurable sustainability action from governments, investors, companies, and consumers, consultants play a key role in helping organisations identify and manage social and environmental risks and opportunities to deliver meaningful impact.
While the opportunities are clear, it is often not clear to students and early-career professionals whether sustainability consulting is the right career for them; what qualifications, skills and attributes they need; or how they get started in consulting.
Drawing on over 20 interviews with sustainability-related consultants covering the spectrum from diversified professional services firms to specialist consultancy boutiques and independent advisors, the Chronos Guide explores the diverse roles within sustainability consulting, the skills and attributes firms seek, and the career pathways available. It includes case studies, practical advice, and first-hand reflections from professionals at different stages of their careers – from recent graduates to senior leaders.
Nicky Amos, Managing Director, Chronos Sustainability and co-author of the Guide said:
“Sustainability consulting is one of the most rewarding and dynamic areas of the profession, driven by the urgent need for organisations to address pressing environmental or social challenges. Clients typically span multinational corporations, investors, NGOs and public bodies. Yet historically, there has been no clear career path for students and graduates seeking to enter this field. This guide aims to demystify sustainability consultancy - highlighting the skills and attributes that firms value, and showcasing the diverse career pathways now available.”
Dr Richard Perkins, Associate Professor of Environmental Geography from the Department of Geography and Environment said:
“For many of our students, a major concern is how to translate what they have learned at university into a rewarding professional career. Sustainability consulting offers one way to build a career with genuine substance and impact. This Guide is valuable because it provides a practical roadmap to help students better understand and navigate the world of sustainability consulting. It explains what recruiters are looking for, how students can position themselves when looking for work and how, once they find a job, they can continue to build their careers.”
The Guide to Careers in Sustainability follows the publication last year of the Chronos Sustainable Finance Careers Guide – a collaboration with LSE to help young professionals find pathways into sustainable finance. These publications are part of Chronos’ wider commitment to supporting the next generation of sustainability professionals, which also includes:
Supporting the annual Chronos Sustainability Prizes, at the LSE. These are awarded in undergraduate and postgraduate categories to those students whose analysis and recommendations are considered to have the greatest potential positive social or environmental impact.
Providing work experience to undergraduate and postgraduate students, training them on benchmarking and other research tools.
Supporting the Knepp Wildland Foundation and rewilding project, including co-sponsoring Knepp’s Young Guides programme, a stand-alone scheme to train and empower the next generation of ecologists.
Lecturing to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and supervising postgraduate students.
Read the full Guide to Careers in Sustainability
