How to Become an ESG Analyst in the UK
ESG analysts research how companies manage environmental, social and governance risks, such as carbon emissions, supply chain labour standards, board independence and executive pay. You gather data from company reports and third-party providers, score companies against frameworks, write research notes and advise portfolio managers, ratings teams or corporate clients. Employers include asset managers, banks, ESG ratings and data providers, consultancies and large companies preparing sustainability reports.
Most ESG analysts have a degree in finance, economics, environmental science or a related subject, and many move across from financial analyst, audit or sustainability consultant roles.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £35,000 - £42,000
- Mid-career salary
- £50,000 - £65,000
- Senior salary
- £75,000 - £100,000+
- Work environment
- Office, hybrid
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Preferred - finance / sustainability
- Category
- Green Energy and Sustainability
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, Career change.
What a ESG Analyst does
Research and rate companies on environmental, social and governance factors for investors and ratings agencies.
How to become an ESG analyst in the UK
Employers usually want a degree and strong analytical skills, plus evidence of interest in sustainable finance. Graduate schemes at asset managers, banks and consultancies are a common entry point, as are data analyst roles at ESG ratings providers. Learn the main reporting frameworks, including the ISSB standards, GRI and climate reporting aligned with TCFD, along with the FCA's Sustainability Disclosure Requirements in the UK. The CFA Institute's ESG investing certificate is widely recognised for entry-level roles, and the full CFA qualification helps if you want to move towards investment analysis. Strong Excel and data skills, and clear writing, are essential.
- Learn the main sustainability reporting frameworks, including ISSB standards, GRI and TCFD-aligned climate disclosure, and how investors use them to compare companies.
- Study for the CFA Institute's ESG investing certificate, which many asset managers and banks recognise as a sign of baseline sustainable finance knowledge.
- Analyse a real company's annual and sustainability reports, then write a two-page ESG research note covering its main risks, data gaps and controversies.
- Build strong Excel skills and learn basic Python or SQL, because ESG work involves handling large, messy datasets from several providers.
- Apply for graduate schemes, ESG data analyst roles at ratings providers, or sustainability analyst posts at consultancies to get your first year of experience.
- Keep up with UK greenwashing rules and the FCA's Sustainability Disclosure Requirements, since regulation shapes what ESG teams are hired to do.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate scheme at an asset manager or bank | 1-2 years | Paid role | Finance and economics graduates |
| ESG data analyst at a ratings provider | 1-2 years | Paid role | Data-minded graduates |
| Move from investment, audit or sustainability | 6-18 months | No direct cost | Career changers with finance experience |
| ESG certificate plus self-study | 3-6 months | Varies by provider | Building credibility before applying |
How long it takes
Graduates can move into an ESG analyst role within a year through a graduate scheme or data analyst post. Allow one to three years if you are building finance or sustainability experience from scratch.
ESG Analyst salary in the UK
ESG analysts usually start on around £35,000 to £42,000. With a few years' experience, pay rises to about £50,000 to £65,000. Senior analysts and heads of ESG research can earn £75,000 to £100,000 or more. Asset managers and investment banks in London pay the most, often with bonuses, while consultancies and corporate sustainability teams can pay a little less. Combining ESG knowledge with strong financial analysis, climate risk or data skills is what pushes pay up fastest.
Key skills
- ESG frameworks
- Financial analysis
- Data analysis
- Report writing
ESG Analyst FAQs
How do I become an ESG analyst?
Get a degree in finance, economics or an environmental subject, learn the ISSB, GRI and TCFD-aligned frameworks, and consider the CFA Institute's ESG investing certificate. Then apply for graduate schemes, ESG data roles at ratings providers or sustainability analyst posts.
Do you need a degree to be an ESG analyst?
In practice, usually yes. Most employers ask for a degree, often in finance, economics, maths or environmental science. Career changers from investment, audit or sustainability roles can move across without a new degree if they add ESG knowledge.
How much does an ESG analyst earn in the UK?
Starting salaries are around £35,000 to £42,000. Mid-level ESG analysts earn about £50,000 to £65,000, and senior analysts or heads of ESG research can earn £75,000 to £100,000 or more, mostly at London asset managers and banks.
Is ESG still a growing career in the UK?
Demand has become more selective, with fewer generalist roles and more need for people who combine ESG with data, climate risk or regulatory knowledge. UK disclosure rules and investor scrutiny keep the work relevant, so specialist skills give you the best job security.
Is ESG Analyst right for you?
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