INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE

Climate & Sustainability

Turning scientific evidence into lower-impact technologies, systems and operations.

OVERVIEW

How the sector works

Climate work connects environmental analysis with engineering, data, policy, implementation and the operation of physical systems.

Why it mattersDecarbonisation and adaptation require people who can move from measurement to practical change.

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY

The major subsectors

Each part of the sector solves a different set of technical and practical problems.

Climate technology

Physical and digital systems designed to reduce emissions or resource use.

Example work

Carbon capture
Low-carbon materials
Efficiency systems

Renewable systems

Generating and integrating energy from wind, solar and other replenishing resources.

Example work

Resource assessment
System design
Performance monitoring

Environmental intelligence

Measuring environmental change and translating evidence into decisions.

Example work

Remote sensing
Life-cycle assessment
Impact analysis

Adaptation and resilience

Preparing infrastructure, services and communities for physical climate risks.

Example work

Flood modelling
Heat resilience
Infrastructure planning

WHERE YOUR BACKGROUND CAN FIT

Different degrees, different entry points

The same industry needs people who can investigate, design, analyse and deliver from different starting disciplines.

Environmental / Earth Science

Measurement · Climate risk · Impact assessment · Policy evidence

Engineering

Energy systems · Infrastructure · Process improvement · Technology deployment

Chemistry

Carbon capture · Low-impact processes · Materials · Environmental analysis

Physics

Energy modelling · Sensing · Atmospheric measurement · System performance

Mathematics

Scenario analysis · Optimisation · Risk modelling · Environmental data

WHAT THE WORK CAN LOOK LIKE

Representative problems

Projects vary by organisation, but these examples show the questions teams in Climate & Sustainability may tackle.

Compare decarbonisation options for an industrial process.
Map heat exposure using environmental and demographic data.
Model how storage changes renewable-grid performance.
Assess the full life-cycle impact of a new material.

TECHNOLOGIES & TRENDS

What is changing the sector

These developments are reshaping technical work, evidence and decision-making.

Carbon capture

Processes that separate carbon dioxide from industrial streams or the atmosphere.

Some hard-to-abate activities may need capture alongside deep emissions reductions.

Remote sensing

Satellite, airborne and ground sensors used to observe environmental conditions over time.

Consistent measurement helps reveal change across large or inaccessible areas.

Life-cycle assessment

A method for comparing environmental impacts across a product’s full life.

It helps teams avoid shifting a burden from one stage or impact to another.

Grid flexibility

Storage, demand response and control systems that balance variable generation.

Flexible systems make it easier to operate electricity networks with more renewables.

CAREER FUNCTIONS

Where STEM graduates contribute

Functions describe the work a team performs, not just the title on a job description.

Climate engineering

Develop and deploy equipment, infrastructure and processes with lower environmental impact.

Model systems
Evaluate designs
Support delivery

Engineering · Physics · Chemistry

Environmental analysis

Measure impacts, uncertainty and change to inform practical choices.

Analyse monitoring data
Assess impacts
Communicate evidence

Environmental / Earth Science · Mathematics · Chemistry

Data and modelling

Build models that connect climate, energy or operational data to decisions.

Prepare datasets
Test scenarios
Explain uncertainty

Mathematics · Computer Science · Physics

Policy and implementation

Turn evidence into standards, programmes and changes that can be delivered.

Compare interventions
Consult stakeholders
Track outcomes

Environmental / Earth Science · Engineering · Mathematics

HOW TO START EXPLORING

Build evidence while you study

You do not need to decide on one destination immediately. Use projects, modules and experience to learn which parts of the sector hold your attention.

Combine technical depth with an understanding of systems and measurable outcomes.
Use public environmental datasets for a transparent analysis project.
Join energy, sustainability or engineering design challenges.
Seek experience in monitoring, technology delivery, operations or policy research.

CAREER MAP

Example careers

Discover & Research

Battery Scientist

Develop safer, longer-lasting materials and cells for electrified systems.

ChemistryMaterials ScienceEngineering

Explore: Johnson Matthey · BASF

Explore this career

Analyse & Model

Data Scientist

Use data, statistics and computation to answer consequential questions.

MathematicsComputer SciencePhysics

Explore: Google · Microsoft

Explore this career

Advise & Strategise

Sustainability Consultant

Help organisations turn climate and environmental evidence into credible action.

Environmental / Earth ScienceEngineeringChemistry

Explore: Deloitte · BCG

Explore this career

Analyse & Model

Energy Systems Analyst

Model technologies, infrastructure and policy across a changing energy system.

EngineeringPhysicsMathematics

Explore: Shell · BP

Explore this career

EMPLOYER LANDSCAPE

Organisations to investigate

ØrstedDevelops offshore wind and renewable energy projects.VestasDesigns, manufactures and services wind turbines.ClimeworksDevelops direct air capture technology.Carbon CleanDevelops modular carbon capture systems.

OPPORTUNITIES

See related programmes

View all

Internship Deadline not stated

ASML

Environmental Sciences | Sustainability internship: Supply chain sustainability

Master's sustainability internship supporting supplier ESG, climate, materials and circularity initiatives in ASML's supply chain.

Veldhoven, NetherlandsHybridMaster’s / PostgraduatePay — Not stated

Environmental / Earth ScienceEngineering

Verified opportunityReview details

Internship Deadline not stated

Climeworks

Intern in Sorbent Characterization (100%)

Six-month materials and chemistry internship characterising direct-air-capture sorbents and their long-term performance.

Zurich, SwitzerlandHybridMaster’s / PostgraduatePay — Paid · CHF 2,000/month during BSc & MSc; CHF 2,500/month after completion of MSc

ChemistryEngineeringMaterials Science

Verified opportunityReview details

Internship Deadline not stated

Climeworks

Intern in Testing Capabilities (100%)

Six-month engineering internship developing testing capabilities for direct-air-capture systems, combining measurement, controls and programming.

Zurich, SwitzerlandHybridMaster’s / PostgraduatePay — Paid · CHF 2,000/month during BSc & MSc; CHF 2,500/month after completion of MSc

EngineeringPhysicsComputer Science

Verified opportunityReview details

Understand the sector

Industries & Technology

What data careers look like across STEM

The same analytical toolkit can support healthcare, climate systems, manufacturing, research and public services.

3 August 2026 · 7 min read

Careers

How different STEM degrees enter climate technology

Climate technology needs more than one subject: it combines physical systems, materials, data, environmental evidence and implementation.

10 July 2026 · 7 min read