Sustainability Consultant Graduate/Carbon and ESG - Edinburgh - start date

at  AECOM

WORK WITH US. CHANGE THE WORLD.

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
Due to exceptional growth in demand for our services we are currently recruiting for enthusiastic graduate Sustainability/Environmental Social Governance Consultants to join our well-established and growing UK-wide Carbon & Environmental Social Governance Practice in Edinburgh.

ABOUT OUR TEAM

Are you ready to be part of the change? We’re expanding our Carbon & Environmental Social Governance Practice and looking for dynamic, self-motivated individuals to help us deliver groundbreaking projects that redefine the standards of sustainability.
Building on our well-established expertise and proficiency in carbon accounting, net-zero road-mapping, and Environmental Social Governance reporting, our Practice has been a trailblazer in sustainability for over two decades. Recognised as a leader in the field, AECOM has secured a spot in the Environment Analyst latest rankings of the 25 leading players in the UK environmental and sustainability consulting landscape. This accolade underscores our commitment to excellence in addressing climate-related issues, including climate justice, circular economy, waste management, and human rights, aligning our strategies with global objectives and fostering lasting positive impacts.
With a rich track record spanning over 20 years, we have been advising clients across diverse sectors, including infrastructure, energy, industrial, and corporate, on sustainability and social governance. Our comprehensive support enhances the resilience of businesses and projects, emphasizing key areas such as net-zero carbon, climate resilience, sustainable production and consumption, and social equality.

READY TO PUSH THE LIMITS OF WHAT’S POSSIBLE?

Here’s what we’re looking for:
The ideal candidate will have a science based background i.e. relevant MSc or equivalent qualification in Sustainability, Carbon, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Sustainable Waste Management, Earth/Environmental Sciences, Geography, Social Sciences or similar, and a strong undergraduate degree in a STEM based subject.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE AREAS:

• Ability to work as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues, client and stakeholders as appropriate.
• Understanding of a selection of these technical areas:
• Carbon accounting (covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions) and some familiarity/experience working with GHG reporting standards, guidance and regulatory regimes for example PAS 2080; PAS 2050; EU ETS; ESOS etc.
• Climate risk drivers including physical and transition risks and opportunities and familiarity with UK climate projections (experience of using UKCP18 projections within research is desirable);
• Range of aspects of sustainability, including circular economy, sustainable consumption and production, sustainable design, designing out waste;
• Sustainable waste management practices;
• Social impacts and social outcomes of infrastructure projects and other development interventions;
• Strong research skills and attention to detail with an emphasis on delivering technically excellent outputs;
• Great communication skills in English, fluency in other languages an advantage;
• Solid numeracy skills, confidence in working with large data sets and competent user of Excel;
• Ability to work flexibly under pressure, responding to changing project and programme demands. Problem solving abilities. Self-starter, who can design and deliver work under their own initiative; and

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE AREAS:

• Previous experience working in a consultancy environment, including work placements or relevant voluntary experience;
• Commercial awareness for business development activities (i.e. previous experience preparing proposals and marketing materials); and,
• Awareness of project management principles and project finances.
  Additional Information

• Provide technical assistance and desk-based support to senior members of the team, including research tasks, data synthesis and analysis, calculations, report writing.
• Specific tasks could include:
• Undertake carbon footprinting and management projects including for environmental impact assessment projects;
• Conducting climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation plans and strategies;
• Supporting our work on Environmental Social Governance reporting for business;
• Providing support on wider sustainability and resource efficiency projects conducted by the team to include desk-based research, qualitative and quantitative assessment, data analysis and report writing; and,
• Undertake qualitative or quantitative research to inform social and equality impact assessments.
• Work with the team and Project Managers/Project Directors to ensure the smooth running of projects;
• Participate in team meetings, client briefs and other meetings as and when required;
• Help prioritise project actions and meet commitments on an on-going basis while taking ownership and responsibility for the quality and completion of work;
• Understand and implement project management principles and appreciate the need to work within project budgets;
• Stay abreast of climate change/sustainability legislation/policy/guidance;
• Ensure health and safety issues are addressed throughout a project; and,
• Contribute to business development proposals to enhance our service offering.
  This is a fantastic opportunity to establish and further your career, gaining valuable work experience, within the largest Environmental consultancy in the UK and Ireland working on some of the most challenging and high-profile projects our clients are developing.