Climate change careers

The University of Bristol was the first UK university to declare a Climate Emergency and has fully divested from all investments in fossil fuel companies. It is ranked in the Top 20 of the People and Planet University League Table.

We are also committed to supporting students to access sustainable career pathways. The SPAIS Ethical Careers Policy excludes oil, gas and mining companies from SPAIS recruitment opportunities and careers events and solidifies our position as a climate leader. 

The policy is also in line with the School’s commitment to sustainability, social justice and decolonisation, as extractive operations are often linked to exploitation of poor, marginalised, and/or racialised communities. 

Climate jobs

The climate crisis is the biggest challenge humanity faces in the 21st century. A degree in Politics, Sociology or International Relations prepares you for a wide variety of careers in which you can deliver positive change – from consulting and research to advocacy, policy and project management. 

Climate employers 

Future Leap is a sustainability consultancy based in Bristol. Their main aim is to train environmental businesses and organisations to accelerate their sustainability journey and progress towards Net Zero. They offer vacancies in project management, marketing, advocacy, business development, and more.  

The Met Office is based in Exeter, an hour and half train ride from Bristol. The Met Office is directly involved in many areas of climate science and forecasting and recruits in areas around project delivery, corporate services and technology. The Met Office offers a graduate development scheme, which introduces you to work at the Met Office and Civil Service.  

Climate research 

Further study, research degrees and research jobs in energy policy and climate politics are good options for SPAIS graduates.  See our climate change modules list to see what your postgraduate studies could cover.  

The University’s Cabot Institute for the Environment runs an MSc by Research programme and outlines the University’s many taught Masters’ courses and PhD opportunities with a focus on our environment.   

Resources 

The Drawdown Labs Job Function Action Guides are practical and shareable resources that highlight specific, high-impact climate actions employees in common corporate professions can take at work.

Each guide includes why your role and skills are needed in addressing climate change, tangible actions you can take to make your job a climate job, and key considerations and resources to help you get started.    

Sustainability job boards 

Alumni stories

'The most important skills I gained from my degree were critical thinking and writing skills, these are incredibly helpful when you first start out in any analyst position. I have also found a social science and IR background helpful in sustainability because you will bring a different approach to projects than your counterparts with purely technical backgrounds.

In the sustainability field, socio-cultural and political elements are inextricably linked to environmental issues, whether these are at the corporate or public sector level. Having an understanding of how these areas are interconnected and the implications of those connections is very helpful when working on projects in the sector, for example implementing a sustainability strategy.'

– Lauren Bain, senior Environmental Consultant, Nature Positive (BSc Sociology)

Reflecting on my first few months in the job, I have relied on many of the skills I acquired and developed as a SPAIS student. Writing essays that aimed to balance persuasion and rigor was great practice for working on policy papers.

Because of weekly seminar discussions, I feel more confident speaking up in meetings and articulating my thoughts. In general, the ability to digest and synthesis complex debates - a staple skill for SPAIS students - has really helped me to get to grips with a complex policy area. 

– Joe Newell, Policy Advisor, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (MSc Society, Politics and Climate Change)