For those looking to build a meaningful career in climate, we’ve curated key insights from Climate Rising’s series on voluntary carbon markets to help you navigate and grow your career.
1. Level Up Your Career Through Community and Events
Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, Chief Science Officer at Rubicon Carbon, suggests that attending conferences, university events, and industry gatherings is one of the simplest ways to learn about climate and sustainability careers. Many events are free or offer scholarships for students and early-career professionals, and spaces like GreenBiz are known for being open, welcoming, and generous with insight-sharing. Simply showing up allows you to learn the field, meet practitioners, and start building relationships. Listen to the full episode here.
2. Embrace Nuance and Stay Flexible
Mark Kenber, Executive Director of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), emphasizes that climate work requires open-mindedness and comfort with nuance: read perspectives you disagree with, listen across ideological and sectoral lines, and recognize that different sectors require different solutions. Rather than fixating on a “perfect” job, try roles across sectors and functions—private sector, nonprofit, technical, and commercial—to build a broad skill set and perspective. Employers increasingly value professionals who can connect disciplines, integrate experiences, and help markets and solutions scale. Listen to the full episode here.
3. Use Your Existing Skills to Drive Climate Action
Amy Merrill, CEO of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), highlights that you don’t need to leave your profession to work on climate. Bankers, lawyers, auditors, and other commercial professionals can apply their existing expertise to areas like sustainable finance, green bonds, climate disclosure, and decarbonization strategy. Across industries, companies are seeking skilled professionals who can help deploy climate finance and translate net-zero goals into practical action. Listen to the full episode here.
4. Build Experience in Government and Policy Spaces
Alexia Kelly, Managing Director of the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative (CPMI) at the High Tide Foundation, suggests that working in government—at the local, national, or international level—is one of the most powerful ways to build a climate career while strengthening critical public institutions. For those interested in carbon markets and climate policy, conferences, industry associations, and global convenings like COP offer valuable exposure to how decisions are made and markets function. These spaces provide both practical learning and a deeper understanding of how climate action is shaped at scale. Listen to the full episode here.
5. Immerse Yourself in the Climate Ecosystem
Luke Leslie, Co-Founder and CEO of Key Carbon, emphasizes that climate careers sit at the intersection of fast-moving science, emerging technology, and purpose-driven work—and the field needs talented, motivated people. Immersing yourself through accessible conferences like Climate Week NYC and foundational reading can help you understand the landscape and identify where your interests fit. Learning broadly and engaging with practitioners is one of the best ways to explore this rewarding and evolving space. Listen to the full episode here.