Environmental consultant

Environmental consultants advise on sustainability, including waste management, recycling, flood risk and the effects of climate change.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an environmental consultant, you could:

  • assess potential impacts from industrial, commercial and environmental development projects
  • collect and analyse survey data from sites, such as soil samples
  • write scientific reports and present findings
  • respond to environmental accidents and manage clean-up operations
  • provide policy advice to businesses, landowners and the government
  • advise organisations on environmental laws and regulations

We've identified this as a green job

As an environmental consultant, you'll make sure the design, construction and operation of a building project meets environmental and sustainability standards. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • move into a senior or principal consultant position
  • apply for chartered environmentalist status
  • work as a lecturer in education
  • run your own consultancy business
  • get involved in environmental research

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of geography
  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent written communication skills
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Most relevant

  • Environmental Science - Environmental consultants work directly with environmental issues like climate change, pollution, waste management, and sustainability. Understanding ecosystems, environmental processes, and human impacts on the natural world is at the core of everything they do.
  • Geography - Environmental consultants use geographical knowledge when assessing flood risk, analysing land use, and understanding how human activity affects landscapes and ecosystems. They also use mapping tools and spatial data to evaluate development sites and their environmental impact.
  • Biology - Environmental consultants need to understand ecology, habitats, and biodiversity when assessing the impact of development projects on wildlife and natural environments. They often carry out ecological surveys and need to identify species and understand how ecosystems function.
  • Chemistry - Environmental consultants collect and analyse soil, water, and air samples to check for contamination and pollution. Understanding chemical processes helps them assess environmental risks and advise on clean-up operations after accidents or spills.
  • Geology - Environmental consultants assess soil quality, ground contamination, and flood risk as part of their site surveys. Understanding rock types, soil composition, and how water moves through the ground is essential when evaluating land for development projects.
  • Mathematics - Environmental consultants analyse survey data, calculate pollution levels, and use statistics to interpret environmental monitoring results. They need strong numerical skills to model risks like flooding and to present quantitative evidence in their reports.

Also relevant

  • English Language - Environmental consultants write detailed scientific reports and policy advice that need to be clear and persuasive for a range of audiences – from businesses to government officials. They also present findings verbally and need to communicate complex environmental issues in an accessible way.
  • Business - Environmental consultants advise organisations on how to meet sustainability targets and comply with environmental regulations. Understanding how businesses operate helps them provide practical, realistic advice – and some go on to run their own consultancy firms.
  • Law - Environmental consultants advise clients on environmental laws and regulations, such as planning rules and pollution controls. Understanding how legislation works helps them guide businesses and developers through the legal requirements of their projects.
  • Politics - Environmental consultants provide policy advice to government bodies and need to understand how environmental policy is shaped at local, national, and international levels. Awareness of political decision-making processes helps them influence sustainability outcomes effectively.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification in environmental science, environmental studies or environmental sustainability.

You might also be able to take a related subject like:

  • biology
  • chemistry
  • geoscience
  • ecology
  • agricultural science

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

You could apply to do an Environmental Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You might also specialise by completing a Soil Scientist Level 7 Apprenticeship. This is equivalent to study at postgraduate level.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Volunteering is a great way of getting experience and a taste of environmental work. It will also give you the opportunity to develop your skills and make contacts.

Organisations who offer volunteering opportunities include:

You can find more opportunities through the Countryside Jobs Service.

Career tips

As a graduate you could look for environmental postgraduate training positions offered through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

In a KTP, you get the opportunity to run a research project together with an organisation and a university or research body. You may also work towards postgraduate qualifications.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Society for the Environment for your professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can discover more about environmental work and training through:

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