REPORT 2023

The Climate Career Movement

Challenges, Hopes and Insights from 74 aspiring Changemakers wanting to move into a climate-focused career.

Data collection and analysis was conducted in August 2023 by Positive Psychologist Claudia Geratz.

The Climate Career Movement Report 2023 by Positive Psychologist Claudia Geratz

It is estimated that we will create 100 million climate jobs globally in the next 7 years. 94% of people who took part in this report are considering transitioning into a climate career. 

Yet, many people don't know how to make that happen. Many don't even try. 

This report analyses the motivations, challenges and hopes of 74 aspiring Changemakers. It offers advice for climate job seekers and valuable learnings for climate organisations - big and small. 

I am Claudia Geratz, a Positive Psychologist, Coach and Facilitator. I am the creator of Find Your Climate Career, a community-focused learning course that helps climate job seekers to get from not knowing where to start to creating meaningful climate careers. 

FINDING 1

Why do people want to move into climate?

Working on climate closes the meaning gap. 90% of respondents are hoping to find meaning in climate work.

The Climate Career Movement Report 2023 by Positive Psychologist Claudia Geratz - Climate work closes the meaning gap

  • "I want to be part of the solution not the problem and improve our planet's situation. I want to help build abetter future for generations to come, spreading awareness about the impacts of climate change and provide solutions to reduce these impacts."

    68% of respondents highlight the level of positive impact as an important factor for moving into a climate career.

  • "I want to use the skills and experience I've developed to bring about real change, not just help a company get rich with no social benefit. I want to be a valuable contributor towards a common goal."

    80% of aspiring Changemakers are seeking a strong match between their values, the work they do and the company's mission.

  • "I'd love to work in an industry that is mission-driven and focuses on doing good for the planet and future generations.We spend a lot of time daily at work, I want to do something meaningful as my corporate job doesn't motivate me."

    90% of respondents want to move into a climate career because they are seeking meaningful work and can't find that in their current careers.

FINDING 2

What is holding people back?

67% of respondents state a perceived lack of climate-related experience as a blocker to moving into climate. This is not unique to climate career changers. It's a common misconception of career changers that they don't bring enough expertise to make a successful switch. Career coaches help countless people every day to overcome that limiting belief and pursue their ambitions with confidence.

But there is more going on here: 

Job seekers report that climate companies require "years of prior experience in the climate space" for roles that exist outside of climate, e.g. software development, operations, sales, or marketing. This practice creates artificial barriers as it amplifies job seekers’ beliefs that they need to be a “climate expert” to work on climate. Hiring managers should be mindful of that when creating job descriptions and keep them real(istic). 

The Climate Career Movement Report 2023 by Positive Psychologist Claudia Geratz - What is holding people back

FINDING 3

What do people need help with?

Thematic analysis of people's responses revealed 3 key themes that climate career seekers need support with:

  1. Understanding the climate landscape

  2. Finding their climate career sweetspot

  3. Building confidence

This is why I created Find Your Climate Career. This 6-week community-focused learning course addresses all 3 topics:

The Climate Career Movement Report 2023 by Positive Psychologist Claudia Geratz - what do career changers need help with

  • "I have tons of experience, and I want to use this to contribute positively to the world, while doing something that brings me joy. But I find it hard to map my existing skills to specific climate solutions and companies"

    People don't just want to change into climate for meaningful work. They want to find their climate career sweetspot at the intersection of what they do well, what brings them joy and what needs doing in the world.

  • "I don't know where to start. I feel anxious about interviews. I really want to make a difference, but I don't know if my skills are good enough."

    Changing careers takes confidence and courage. Without a clear path, aspiring Changemakers are struggling with high self-doubt.

Access practical advice for climate career job seekers and valuable learnings for climate companies with the full report.

For Changemakers

Join Find Your Climate Career or come to my next monthly Climate Café, or work with me for 1:1 career coaching for impact professionals.

For Climate Companies

Collaborate with me for People & Culture expertise, deep facilitation and leadership & team development.
Let’s chat.