16th March marks the start of Sustainability Week 2026. This year, we’re celebrating by raising awareness of who can do green jobs, (spoiler alert: it’s not just STEM subjects), and we have some information about where to start in finding green career opportunities.
So, here are 3 myths we’ve busted about working in green jobs with tips about how you can develop a sustainable career.
Myth 1: “Green jobs are only for people that are good at Science, Engineering or Maths“
STEM plays an important role, but green companies need a variety of employees. Fields such as admin, finance, education, communications, hospitality and management all have important roles to play.
Additionally, with the UK Government aiming to reach Net Zero by 2025, many UK companies in different sectors will be making looking to make progress in sustainability.
Myth 2: “I don’t work in the green sector, so my job isn’t related to sustainability”
You can make a green impact in any job by looking for opportunities to be more sustainable. Even if your job has nothing to do with the environment!
Careers across all industries may not directly tackle climate change, but can still make a positive environmental impact.
For example, if you were a…
Data scientist: prioritise only storing relevant data to reduce the amount of energy used by the servers.
Business Analyst: suggest solutions that factor in environmental impact.
IT Manager: change the process for disposal of old hardware – recycle it, rather than sending devices to landfill.
Myth 3: “Sustainability careers don’t pay well…“
Research conducted by the LSE in 2024 found that “green jobs tend to be concentrated in occupations that pay higher wages”, and “there is an overall premium for green jobs”. These roles mainly relate to Net Zero and Nature Emergency jobs, such as engineering, construction, transport, energy and waste.
Looking to get some sustainability experience on your CV?
Get involved with the sustainability societies at Surrey: Clubs and Societies A-Z – Surrey Students’ Union
Why not try volunteering? Search for volunteering opportunities online – Surrey County Council
How do I find out if a company is sustainable?
Do your research. Look on a company’s website to find out what they’re doing to become more sustainable. Things to look out for include:
- Do they mention sustainability in their mission statement?
- Have they published any sustainability reports?
- What steps does the company take to reduce fossil fuel use? For example, when they move goods.
- Do they use recycled materials? For example, in their packaging.
Sources:
2025 EAUC Scotland Green Careers Guide
Explore green careers | National Careers Service
Net Zero and the Labour Market: Evidence from the UK | LSE Public Policy Review
