Real-world climate job advice

Read this if you plan to interview for #climatechange consulting roles 🙏 I’ve been on both sides of the table and trust me, few things are more exhausting than interviewing candidates who claim to be “passionate about the planet” but haven’t looked up a single project the firm has done. We don’t expect you to be an expert. But we do expect effort 🙂 1. Read. The. Website. If you don’t know what the firm does, you’re wasting everyone’s time. Quote two recent projects. Bonus if you’ve read their annual report or thought leadership. I once had a candidate tell me how they never even looked up our company LinkedIn page, they themselves had 5k followers🥲 2. Be curious about the famous climate abbreviations. IPCC, COP, NDC, GHG, ESG - get friendly. One solid climate science book can go a long way. Try Joseph Romm’s Climate Change: What Everyone Needs to Know or Robert C. Brears’ Nature-Based Solutions to 21st Century Challenges. 3. Sharpen your case brain. This is still consulting. Do 2-3 guesstimate or profitability cases with friends. Even a climate startup needs unit economics. 4. Have a POV on climate change trends. If asked what excites you, don’t mumble “solar panels.” Know the top 3 climate innovations in your country - policy, nature-based, or deeptech. The difference between enthusiasm and expertise is specificity. 5. Transferable skills are gold. Worked in supply chains, finance, ops, research, community mobilisation? Great. Show how that maps to climate impact. One of our best hires came from law - they crushed our carbon market understanding. 6. Know your country’s carbon story. What has your national or state government done for mitigation, adaptation, or finance? Quote one scheme or mission. Be specific. 7. Quantify impact, not intention. “I care about the planet” isn’t a skill. “Improved X metric by Y% through Z intervention” is. Bring numbers. Even small ones. 8. Read the interviewer’s work (if possible). Published reports, blogs, LinkedIn posts - if it’s out there, it’s fair game. Drop a line that shows you did your homework. 9. Don’t trash corporates. Many climate consulting firms work with large companies. Nuance > noise. Say 'supporting transition' instead of 'fighting the polluters.' No one wants a moral crusade in a multi-stakeholder roundtable. 10. Ask sharp questions. “What’s your theory of change as a firm?” “How do you measure impact across diverse sectors?” Make the interviewer think. That’s the #interview win. Want a job in climate #consulting? It’s not about being the most passionate person in the room. It’s about being the most prepared.

If I were entering renewable energy in 2026, this is what I would ask the best in the world - What is actually happening beneath the headlines? - What skills will still matter when AI accelerates everything? - And how do I build a career that survives funding cycles? The future of energy is shifting fast. Aid is evolving into trade. Grant capital is tightening. Execution discipline is replacing optimism. And the sector is maturing. Looking back, I can trace a straight line between how I entered this sector and what I’m able to carry today. Life brings surprises. Funding cycles shift. Roles change. But principles endure. Here are the 9 lessons that have shaped my path and continue to guide it divided into three layers. I. The Industry 1. Capital is more disciplined now - Institutions like World Bank and IFC are still active, but money now demands bankability, risk clarity, and execution maturity. Impact language alone won’t unlock capital. 2. Energy is moving from access to productivity - Connections matter. But productive use matters more, cold chains, agri-processing, SMEs, industrial decarbonization. The question is no longer “How many megawatts?” It’s “What economic activity does this unlock?” 3. Trade is replacing aid. Climate finance is shifting from grants to blended finance to private capital. Green industrialization and supply chains are becoming central. If you don’t understand trade dynamics, the next decade will feel confusing. II. The Work 4. Technical knowledge is table stakes. Systems thinking is the edge. Many can size a system. Few understand contracts, procurement structures, incentives, and regulatory timing. Learn how deals are structured, not just how panels are mounted. 5. Relationships outperform spreadsheets. Energy is political. Energy is relational. Reputation compounds in this ecosystem. Protect your name more than your CV. 6. Execution discipline separates professionals from dreamers. Climate ambition is loud. Execution capacity is rare. Documentation. Risk logs. Financial modelling. Delivery consistency. That’s what builds trust. III. You 7. Your career will not be linear. You may move from sales to development to program management to finance. That’s not instability. That’s ecosystem exposure. Collect capabilities, not titles. 8. Funding cycles will test your identity. Projects pause. Budgets shift. Roles disappear. Anchor your confidence in competence, not contracts. 9. Depth beats noise in the age of AI. AI will draft proposals and model spreadsheets. It won’t replace judgment, negotiation nuance, or ethical leadership. Develop thinking capacity, not just task capacity. Almost 10 years in, this is what I know - The RE sector needs both implementers, systems thinkers, capital translators, and institution builders. - If you’re entering the space now, prepare for depth, not hype. - And if you’ve been in this industry for a while, what lesson would you add? Loved this project in 2020 or 2021!

I get 2-3 job applications a day. I wish I could hire everyone. But I can't and sometimes I can't even respond 🙁 So I thought I'd write a post with honest advice for people who want to work in reforestation. If not at MORFO, I hope you'll bring your energy and skills to a company that's good for the planet. After reading hundreds of applications, I started noticing patterns in what makes candidates stand out and what doesn't. Here are 9 things I'd tell anyone looking for a job in climate or nature right now. If you're hiring yourself, I'd love to hear your advice too, drop it in the comments. And if you're looking, I hope this helps 🌱 1️⃣ Look at the economics. Before applying, check if the company is actually growing. LinkedIn headcount curves, recent fundraises, press coverage. At MORFO, we typically hired after a fundraise or a big contract signature (which we sometimes announce in the press). 2️⃣ Build in public before you apply. Write about reforestation or climate on LinkedIn. Share a study you found interesting. Interview people in the sector. Start a side project. The candidates who were already visible before they applied were almost always the strongest. 3️⃣ Identify your unfair advantage. What can you bring that most others can't? At MORFO, someone who speaks English, French, and Portuguese already has a head start. Or someone who's led a specific type of project, navigated a specific regulatory context, or built something in a similar operating environment. Find yours and lead with it. 4️⃣ Don't switch industry AND function at the same time. If you're coming from outside reforestation, that's fine. But then your track record needs to speak clearly. What did you build, scale, or fix? Make the transfer obvious. 5️⃣ Show you're ready to go smaller. If you're coming from a big org, the number one concern on our side is: will this person be OK without the structure, the team, the budget? Address it head-on. The best candidates told us what they'd do in the first 90 days, not what they'd done in the last 10 years. 6️⃣ Connect it to something personal. The candidates I remember most tied their application to something real. A family farm. A drought they witnessed. A place they grew up in. Even for finance or strategy roles, that personal connection to climate makes you hard to forget. 7️⃣ Try to get introduced. Cold applications work. But a warm intro from someone inside, even someone you met at a conference or a school connection, works better. 8️⃣ Reach someone with the same role you're applying for. I'd say 80% of MORFO applications land in my inbox or Greg’s inbox. And clearly, we're not the best persons to evaluate a forest engineer or a senior data scientist. 9️⃣ Follow up, but smartly. A short follow-up message 10 days later, with a line that shows you kept thinking about the role, not just "circling back." That's how Carolina joined our team, by explaining, point by point, why she should have gotten the job.

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙋𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙩 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙? Yesterday’s post focused on job leads and resources. Today, let’s talk about you. This is about how to pivot, not just react. Let’s get real: Losing your role at the EPA or a mission-driven org isn’t just a career hiccup; it’s a gut punch. But here’s the raw truth: Your impact isn’t tied to a badge or a title. I’ve watched colleagues turn layoffs into launching pads (yes, even in this messy climate). Here’s how to pivot without losing your purpose: 1. 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 "𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞" 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 "𝐀𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲" 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 Stop saying, “I only did permitting/compliance/fieldwork.” Example: Your EPA regulatory expertise? Private firms salivate for that. They need people who can navigate NEPA reviews like a second language. e.g., a friend reframed “enforcement officer” into “risk mitigation strategist”. 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧: 𝙒𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨-𝙤𝙣-𝙩𝙝𝙚-𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. 2. 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 (𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞!) The private sector isn’t the enemy. Utilities need pros who understand water equity and infrastructure gaps. NGOs don’t care if you’re ex-EPA—they care that you can fight for clean water in courtrooms and boardrooms. State roles are hiring like crazy for climate resilience. Pro tip: Use ECO-USA.net to find hyper-local gigs where your federal experience = instant credibility. 3. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 Join LinkedIn groups like “Environmental Consulting Network” and “Sustainable Jobs.” Attend industry webinars (many are free via ACS, AWMA, WEF). Find mentors outside EPA. If you only network with former colleagues, your search stays too narrow. Forget LinkedIn spam. Do this instead: Slide into the DMs of NEIWPCC or NAEP webinar speakers. Say: “Your talk on PFAS regs resonated. I’m pivoting from federal work—any advice?” (Works 10x better than “Looking for jobs!”) Join WEF’s “Young Professionals” Slack. They’re 24/7 hype squads for water nerds. 4. 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 It’s okay to grieve. But: Your “why” still matters.  You don’t need another degree, but micro-credentials & certifications can boost your resume. Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) GIS for Environmental Applications Project Management (PMP) Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻: Rewrite your LinkedIn headline: “EPA Alum | Bridging Regulation + Innovation in Water Equity” Pick 3 firms from the previous post. Research their projects, then email a manager: “I helped streamline EPA permitting for [X]—can I share insights on your Y project?” #Environmentaljobs #PivotWithPurpose #MissionDrivenHustle

After hearing from thousands of people trying to transition into climate work, the same 4 barriers come up again and again - along with a handful of resources that can help overcome them:   🤝 "I don't have any connections in the field." - Join a climate networking community (Work on Climate, Women and Climate, College to Climate, ClimateAction.tech CIC) for networking, office hours with experts, and events - Browse OpenDoorClimate Directory to find sustainability professionals volunteering to chat with climate job seekers: https://lnkd.in/evJPgWeF   🛠 "I'm not sure how my skills translate." - Consider a climate skills-building course (Climatebase, Kith Climate, OnePointFive (opf.degree) Academy, Terra.do, Climate Drift, ) or working with a coach to figure out where your skills fit best (Walk of Life Coaching, Careers for Social Impact, The Positive Career Coach) - Checkout the #DayInTheLife series to better understand what skills actual climate professionals use in their jobs: https://lnkd.in/eXyrBeiV   👷♀️ "I don't have direct climate experience yet." - Focus on "proof point" projects - side projects at work, skills-based volunteered, short-term paid work - to build a project portfolio - Consider more formal climate fellowships or certifications (check out this comprehensive list by Sustainable Career Pathways: https://lnkd.in/exZMRxnc)   🔍 "I don't know which organizations fit my interests." - Browse climate job boards (Green Jobs Board, Green Jobs Network, ClimateTechList) to start learning some of the organizations in the space - Follow sector-specific analysis hubs (Sightline Climate, Utility Dive, etc.) to learn more about your sector landscape   One other thing I hear all the time is the strong desire for people to feel connected to others during their journey. I can't recommend enough the power of community, like the ones mentioned above, to help stay motivated and learn from others going through a similar journey.   Save this for later if you're exploring climate work, or share it with someone who is.   Have additional resources for these barriers? Add them in the comments!

Want to break into climate? I’ve had over 200 career calls with climate job seekers within the past year. Here are the 4 most commonly asked questions and my best answers: ⭐ How can I get a head start in college?  • Focus your coursework and internships on an expertise/industry pair, like marketing and sustainable fashion, business and regenerative agriculture, or data science and energy. • If you can’t decide on a niche, build versatile skills like finance, engineering, design, and sales. These skills are needed across climate-focused organizations. • Most recommended internship board: EDICT Internship Program by Elemental Excelerator 💫 How can I switch to climate from another industry? • Opportunities can be found in solution-focused organizations (e.g., Pachama, Kevala), sustainability/CSR teams (e.g., Carhartt, Adobe), and governmental offices (e.g., NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)). • Many people try to overhaul their entire career. Instead, try changing only one variable at a time: seek a similar role in a new industry or a new role in a familiar industry (eg; marketing in fashion → marketing at a SaaS company like Recurate). • Mentorship, freelancing, and certificates can bridge the gap in industry experience. • Most recommended mentorship opportunities: Third Derivative and GrowthMentor ✨ How do I choose a niche?  • Standing out in climate requires being a near-perfect fit. Find the intersection of what you're good at, what you love, what you can be paid for, and what's needed across climate efforts. • Hop on career calls with folks across domains and industries to learn more about the day-to-day of their roles. • Most recommended starting points for market research: Climatebase, Work on Climate, CareerOneStop, and Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) 🌎 Do I need to join a program like Terra.do, Work on Climate, or OnePointFive (opf.degree)?  • These programs are helpful but not necessary. Free resources like coaching calls, videos, and podcasts can be valuable too. • Remember that “climate” isn’t really a standalone job! Consider how you can provide value to a climate-focused team and focus on building credibility in your desired solution sector (energy, agriculture, etc.). • Most recommended programs: Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Reforge, and Stanford University's certificates. -- Interested in a free careers session? • Check out the Work on Climate Expert Office Hours list and the #OpenDoorClimate list, launched by Daniel Hill. Interested in breaking into climate as a marketer? • Here's a comprehensive guide I put together: https://lnkd.in/gUqyFh_b I did my best to keep this post short. If anybody has more they’d like to add for climate job seekers, please add it to the comments. Thank you! Illustration by @tatooine_girl

A Climate Change CV Is Not an Environmental Science Essay While reviewing a recent Junior Climate Change Specialist vacancy, I noticed a mistake many applicants make. They focus heavily on what they know about climate change and very little on what they have actually done. Employers are not only looking for people who understand: 1. Climate adaptation 2. Climate mitigation 3. Sustainability 4. Environmental policies They are looking for professionals who can demonstrate: 1. Supporting climate projects 2. Conducting research and analysis 3. Engaging stakeholders 4. Preparing technical reports 5. Coordinating development initiatives 6. Contributing to measurable climate and resilience outcomes In other words, they want evidence of impact, not just knowledge. Instead of writing: "Knowledgeable in climate change and environmental sustainability." Consider: "Supported implementation of climate resilience initiatives, conducted policy research, and coordinated stakeholder engagement activities contributing to sustainable development objectives." The difference may seem small, but one describes a student of climate change, while the other describes a climate professional. If you are applying for climate, sustainability, environmental, or international development roles, make sure your CV highlights achievements, project contributions, and results not just academic knowledge. What is the biggest challenge you face when tailoring your CV for specialized roles? #ClimateChange #Sustainability #InternationalDevelopment #ClimateJobs #EnvironmentalCareers #CVWriting #ResumeWriting #CareerDevelopment #ClimateAction #GreenJobs #LinkedInTips #ProfessionalDevelopment 

The green transition isn't just an "environmental" thing anymore. It's rewriting the DNA of work. 🌍💼 At #LondonClimateActionWeek, LinkedIn released a UK Green Skills Report. I was struck by how many of the lessons go way beyond just Britain, and apply to any country navigating net-zero. So if you're wondering where the climate job market is heading, here are 5 takeaways from the report: 1️⃣ JOBS ARE MORPHING: We need to stop thinking about fixed job titles. Globally, 38% of workplace skills shifted between 2016 and 2023, and that’s expected to hit a staggering 70% by 2030. The reason? Fast-moving green demands. 2️⃣ "GREENING" > "GREEN JOBS": You don't need a climate-related degree to be part of this. Over 53% of green hires are happening in mainstream, "non-green" sectors like corporate finance, software development, and strategy. Want to scale these teams faster and boost diversity? Drop the rigid industry pedigree requirements. 3️⃣ THE AI ENERGY PARADOX: AI is booming, but its data infrastructure requires immense computational energy. Tech companies are now aggressively hunting for green talent to optimize systems and make sure digital growth doesn't accidentally tank global climate targets. 4️⃣ The 30-YEAR GENDER BOTTLENECK: This is a sobering one. At our current pace, it will take 30 full years just to halve the green skills gender gap. Locking out half the global population is a massive bottleneck for climate ambition. Switching to "skills-based hiring" boosts female representation in qualified transition talent pools by over 25%. 5️⃣ The MULTI-SKILLED WORKER: A fair transition isn't about starting from scratch. In energy hubs like Aberdeen, over 90% of traditional oil and gas workers already have high-value, highly transferable technical skills (like subsurface and offshore engineering) that can be fast-tracked right into offshore wind. The future belongs to these kinds of multi-skilled professionals: e.g. techs cross-trained to bounce flexibly between heat pumps, solar arrays, and smart grids to beat seasonal hiring slumps. The #moralofthestory? The net-zero transition is fundamentally a workforce transition. Winning the next decade isn't just about building the infrastructure—it’s about building the skills to run it. Which of these changes is hitting your industry the fastest? Let's chat in the comments. 👇 #FutureOfWork #GreenSkills #Sustainability #AI #JustTransition

Sustainability career experts and job seekers say landing a new job in the current economy — or making yourself more valuable to your current employer — comes down to one big thing #corporatesustainability professionals have been talking up for years: The ability to link emissions reductions and other environmental initiatives to business value creation. “Position ESG as a strategic enabler, not a compliance function,” said Pamela Gill Alabaster, who left her position this month as global head of ESG and sustainability for Tylenol maker Kenvue. The person now leading sustainability at Kenvue, for example, is part of the company’s research and development organization. Other suggestions: Be selective - “You could be following the perfect playbook, but you need to be attuned to what the organization is really looking for,” said Trish Kenlon, founder of Sustainable Career Pathways, pointing to research on six archetypes that typically shape how corporations govern ESG and sustainability.   Focus on what’s material - “Does the sustainability team pay for itself through the cost-savings initiatives the team has identified, led or operationalized?” asked J.R. Siegel, vice president of sustainability for software company Worldly. “De-risking is equally important, but it's harder to put a financial number on that work. Empower other business leaders - “Sustainability professionals just spent the past few years understanding every minute detail of the business to repurpose that data for reporting,” said author Matthew Sekol, a Microsoft “sustainability black belt” who helps advise the company’s customers. “Don't squander the opportunity for improvements and innovations that you are sitting on.   Create a ‘brand’ book - “Every time you complete a project, deliver something on time or support a business win, take note of it and make sure your leadership team knows about it,” said Ashley Fahey, former senior manager of global product sustainability at Kohler, who left the company in May. “Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.” More career advice: https://lnkd.in/eVGN2qVJ Desta A. Raines Ellen Weinreb

The climate job market is tough right now. Layoffs, hiring freezes, and lots of talented people searching without much guidance. That’s why Max Pisciotta, Ph.D. and I pulled together a practical guide for folks looking to break into (or stay in) carbon removal. We wanted to make the search a little less overwhelming - and hopefully a little more human. Inside you’ll find: 🌍 Seven solid job boards (actually worth your time) 🏢 A database of 1,000+ climate companies 🤝 Communities to plug into for support and networking 📊 A map of where people actually get hired in CDR 💡 Tips for staying sane and avoiding burnout along the way If you’re job searching - or supporting someone who is - we hope this helps: https://lnkd.in/ghy4D5bH