Environmental & Climate Law Careers
Environmental and climate law governs how organisations manage their impact on the environment - pollution, resources, permitting, and the fast-growing field of climate and ESG.
Environmental law governs how organisations manage their effect on the natural world: pollution control, waste, water and natural-resource use, environmental permitting and impact assessment, contaminated land, and biodiversity. Layered on top is the fast-growing field of climate and ESG law - climate regulation and disclosure, carbon and emissions, sustainable finance, and corporate environmental and social governance. Together they form one of the highest-growth areas in law.
The work blends advisory, regulatory, transactional and contentious elements, and it sits across firms, corporates (sustainability and ESG teams), regulators and NGOs. Demand is rising sharply as climate and sustainability move up the legal and boardroom agenda. This guide covers the work, the roles, who hires, what it pays, qualifications and how to break in.
What environmental & climate lawyers actually do
Environmental work covers permitting and licensing, environmental impact assessment, pollution and waste compliance, contaminated-land and the environmental aspects of property and corporate deals, and environmental enforcement and disputes. Climate and ESG work covers climate-related regulation and disclosure, carbon and emissions schemes, sustainable finance, and advising boards on ESG obligations and risk. Much of it is advisory and regulatory, with a growing contentious strand (climate and environmental litigation).
The main roles (entry to senior)
- Environmental Lawyer - permitting, compliance and enforcement
- Climate / ESG Counsel - climate regulation, disclosure and ESG advice
- Planning & Permitting Lawyer - consents and environmental assessment
- Environmental Disputes Lawyer - enforcement and environmental litigation
- In-house Sustainability / ESG Counsel (corporate)
- Senior Associate / Partner - leading matters and clients
Who hires environmental & climate lawyers
- Law firms - environment, planning and ESG practices
- Corporates - sustainability, ESG and legal teams (all sectors)
- Energy, mining, industrial and infrastructure companies
- Environmental regulators and government agencies
- NGOs and climate / environmental advocacy organisations
What it pays
Pay spans the range: corporate ESG and climate roles at major firms and large companies pay well, while NGO and public-interest environmental work sits lower. As one of the fastest-growing areas, the climate and ESG side is seeing rising demand and pay. Bands vary by sector and market. The live roles below show disclosed pay where available.
Qualifications & certifications
A recognised law degree and qualification is the base. Employers value knowledge of the relevant environmental and climate regulation, an understanding of the science and commercial context, and strong drafting and advisory skills. A science or environmental background is an asset, and ESG and sustainability credentials are increasingly valued as the field grows.
How to break in
Common routes are an environment or planning seat in a firm, an in-house sustainability or ESG role, or an NGO or regulator position. Build knowledge of the environmental and climate rulebook, follow the fast-moving ESG and climate-disclosure agenda, and demonstrate genuine commitment. Because the climate and ESG side is young and growing, current knowledge and demonstrated interest count for a great deal.
Live environmental, climate & ESG roles
See more compliance & financial-crime roles →
Frequently asked questions
What is ESG, and how does it relate to environmental law?
ESG stands for environmental, social and governance - the framework through which organisations are assessed on sustainability and responsible conduct. The environmental ("E") strand overlaps heavily with environmental and climate law, and ESG counsel advise boards on climate disclosure, sustainability obligations and related risk.
Is environmental and climate law a growing field?
Yes - one of the fastest-growing. As climate regulation, disclosure requirements and sustainability expectations rise across every sector, demand for environmental, climate and ESG lawyers is increasing at firms, corporates, regulators and NGOs.
Do you need a science background for environmental law?
No, but it helps. Understanding the science and the commercial and regulatory context makes for a stronger environmental lawyer. A law qualification with genuine interest in the field is a solid foundation, and a science or environmental background is an asset.
What do environmental and climate roles pay?
They span the range: corporate ESG and climate roles at major firms and large companies pay well, while NGO and public-interest work sits lower. The growing climate and ESG side is seeing rising demand and pay; the listings here show disclosed pay where available.