United Kingdom · Climate & Carbon
Climate & carbon jobs in the UK
UK climate roles across mitigation, adaptation, climate risk and climate policy — with employers in consultancy, financial services, government and the not-for-profit sector.
About climate & carbon jobs in the UK
Climate jobs is a broad category. It covers mitigation (reducing emissions), adaptation and resilience (preparing places, businesses and infrastructure for a warming climate), climate risk (assessing physical and transition risk for investors and lenders), and climate policy work (in DESNZ, the CCC, devolved administrations, local authorities and climate-focused NGOs).
In consultancy, climate work often sits within broader sustainability or environmental teams and includes TCFD / IFRS S2-aligned climate risk assessments, physical risk modelling using climate projections (UKCP18, CMIP6), and adaptation strategy development. Consultants routinely work with the Environment Agency, water companies, DfT, National Highways and Network Rail on climate-resilient infrastructure.
In financial services, climate risk analysts work alongside ESG teams on scenario analysis (NGFS scenarios), portfolio-level physical and transition risk, and disclosure. In policy, roles cluster in DESNZ, Defra, the Climate Change Committee, devolved governments and cross-cutting NGOs such as E3G, Climate Group and ECIU.
Related categories: Net Zero (decarbonisation delivery), Carbon (emissions measurement), ESG (investor-facing disclosure) and Sustainability (corporate strategy).
Indicative salary guide
£30,000–£85,000+
Indicative ranges compiled from UK job listings on Environment.jobs and public salary reports (IEMA, CIEEM, CIWEM, Reed) in 2025. Actual pay varies by location, employer and experience. (2025).
Common job titles
- · Climate Risk Analyst
- · Climate Adaptation Consultant
- · Climate Policy Officer
- · Climate Resilience Manager
- · Physical Risk Analyst
Skills employers ask for
- · Climate scenario analysis
- · TCFD / IFRS S2
- · UKCP18 / CMIP6 climate projections
- · Risk assessment methodologies
- · Policy analysis
Typical UK employers
- · DESNZ
- · Environment Agency
- · Climate Change Committee
- · E3G
- · Arup
- · WSP
- · Anthesis
- · Big Four
- · Asset managers and banks
Qualifications & entry routes
- · Relevant degree (Climate Science, Geography, Environmental Science, Economics or Physics)
- · MSc in Climate Change / Climate Risk is common
- · IEMA / CIWEM membership at practitioner level
FAQs about climate & carbon jobs
What's the difference between 'climate jobs' and 'net zero jobs'?
Net zero focuses on delivery — cutting emissions to meet a target. Climate jobs is broader, covering mitigation, adaptation, climate risk and climate policy work.
Do I need a climate science degree?
For research or physical risk modelling, yes. For most policy, consultancy and financial services roles, a numerate degree plus climate-relevant experience is enough.