UK

United Kingdom · Sustainability · Entry Level (0-2 years)

ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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  • Experience bandEntry Level (0-2 years)
  • Direct reportsNo direct reports
  • Reports toSenior ESG Programme Specialist
  • UK framework levelUsually someone starting out, or keeping a process running

Also advertised as Junior ESG Specialist · Sustainability Data Assistant · Environmental & Social Reporting Support

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Green Deal Advice Awarding Body for the Built Environment · Level 3 · covers 2 of 7 standards
ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Non Domestic Green Deal Advice Awarding Body for the Built Environment · Level 4 · covers 2 of 7 standards
NOCN Level 4 certificate for Data Analysts NOCN · Level 4 · covers 1 of 7 standards
BCS Level 4 Diploma - Digital Modular Programme for Data Analysts BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT · Level 4 · covers 1 of 7 standards
ABBE Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Conservation Awarding Body for the Built Environment · Level 6 · covers 2 of 7 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Prepare and issue domestic Green Deal Advice Reports ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Green Deal Advice
Sustainability and Planning TQUK Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification in Design, Engineer, and Construct in the Digital Built Environment (Extended Certificate)
Prepare and issue non-domestic Green Deal Advice Reports ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Non Domestic Green Deal Advice
Data Analytics Primer NOCN Level 4 certificate for Data Analysts
Data Analysis BCS Level 4 Diploma - Digital Modular Programme for Data Analysts
Monitor the implementation of development policies in planning and conservation ABBE Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Conservation

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Your Plan Illustration

Built for ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator

6 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Prepare and issue domestic Green Deal Advice Reports Awarding Body for the Built Environment · covers 2 of 7 standards Level 3
  2. Sustainability and Planning Training Qualifications UK Ltd · covers 1 of 7 standards Level 3
  3. Prepare and issue non-domestic Green Deal Advice Reports Awarding Body for the Built Environment · covers 2 of 7 standards Level 4
  4. Data Analytics Primer NOCN · covers 1 of 7 standards Level 4
  5. Data Analysis BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT · covers 1 of 7 standards Level 4
  6. Monitor the implementation of development policies in planning and conservation Awarding Body for the Built Environment · covers 2 of 7 standards Level 6
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as an ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI-Assisted Data Validation & Cleaning
  • Understanding Regulatory Interoperability
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator plan as you set up, starting with the free Automation Fluency module. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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Keep this read. One email with what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for and where to start free. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

3What this role really is

An ESG analyst or sustainability coordinator checks and organises environmental and social data so it is accurate and ready for reporting.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, basic formulas) Intermediate

Cleaning raw data, performing simple calculations, creating basic charts, and organising information from various sources.

Workiva ESG or OneTrust ESG & Sustainability Cloud Basic

Entering collected data into pre-defined templates, running standard reports, and navigating the platform to find information.

Microsoft Teams / SharePoint / Confluence Intermediate

Collaborating with team members, sharing documents, finding information in knowledge bases, and participating in project discussions.

Asana / Monday.com (or similar project management tool) Basic

Updating your assigned tasks, tracking deadlines, adding comments, and checking project progress.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Data Collection Methodology Follows established checklists and procedures. Flags any deviations or difficulties to manager. Proposes minor adjustments to data collection methods for efficiency. Seeks manager approval for changes. Designs and implements new data collection methodologies for specific ESG topics. Consults with Director on significant changes.
Data Validation & Error Correction Identifies obvious errors and flags them for manager review. Corrects data only with explicit instruction. Independently investigates data discrepancies and proposes solutions. Corrects routine errors within defined guidelines. Establishes data validation protocols and trains junior staff. Approves complex data adjustments after investigation.
Reporting Framework Interpretation Learns and applies basic framework requirements to assigned data points. Asks manager for clarification on complex clauses. Interprets specific sections of frameworks (e.g., GRI disclosures) and applies them to reporting. Proposes how new data fits into existing frameworks. Leads the interpretation and application of entire frameworks (e.g., TCFD, CSRD). Makes recommendations on reporting scope and boundaries to leadership.
Stakeholder Communication (Data Requests) Drafts basic data requests using templates. Sends requests after manager review. Escalates non-responses to manager. Independently manages routine data requests, including follow-ups. Handles basic queries from data providers. Develops communication strategies for data collection campaigns. Negotiates data provision timelines with key internal stakeholders.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Data Accuracy Rate
The percentage of data points you've collected or entered that pass internal quality checks and external audits without needing correction.
Target · 99% accuracy on all data entries and collections.

If you're responsible for collecting 500 data points for our GHG emissions, we'd expect fewer than 5 errors after review.

Timeliness of Data Collection
How quickly you gather required information from internal teams and external sources, meeting set deadlines.
Target · 100% of data requests completed by internal deadlines.

All utility bills for Q1 are collected and uploaded by the 15th of April, ready for the next stage of analysis.

Task Completion Rate
The percentage of assigned tasks (e.g., populating templates, drafting basic reports) that you finish on schedule.
Target · 95% of assigned tasks completed on time.

If you're given 10 tasks for the week, you'd complete at least 9 of them by Friday afternoon.

Response Time to Queries
How quickly you respond to requests for data or clarification from your manager or other teams.
Target · Less than 24-hour response time for urgent queries; 48 hours for standard requests.

A query about a specific waste tonnage figure sent on Monday morning is answered with the data source by Tuesday morning.

Adherence to Guidelines and Processes
Following established procedures for data collection, documentation, and reporting, ensuring consistency and auditability.
  • Your documentation is always complete and easy to follow. You consistently use the right templates and naming conventions. Your work rarely needs significant re-work due to process deviations.
Learning and Application of ESG Frameworks
Your ability to quickly grasp and correctly apply the basics of ESG reporting frameworks like GRI or GHG Protocol to your daily tasks.
  • You ask insightful questions that show you're thinking about the 'why' behind the data. You can explain simple concepts like Scope 1 vs. Scope 2 emissions. You proactively seek out learning resources.
Team Collaboration and Support
How well you work with your immediate team and other departments, offering help and communicating effectively.
  • Your team members say you're easy to work with and responsive. You offer to help others when your own tasks are complete. You communicate clearly about progress and blockers.
Initiative in Problem Solving
Your willingness to try and figure things out or suggest solutions for minor issues before escalating.
  • When you hit a data snag, you've already tried two different ways to fix it before asking for help. You flag potential issues early, rather than letting them become bigger problems.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Making a Tangible Difference

You'll feel good knowing that the accurate data you've collected is directly feeding into reports that show our progress on climate targets or social initiatives. Seeing a graph with improved numbers, knowing you helped make that happen, will be a big win.

You've spent weeks chasing down waste data, and when the annual report comes out, you see your figures clearly showing a 10% reduction in landfill waste. That's your impact, right there.

Continuous Learning & Growth

Every day will bring new challenges and new things to learn, whether it's a new reporting framework, a different data source, or a tricky calculation. If you love expanding your knowledge and getting better at something complex, you'll thrive.

You'll spend time understanding the nuances of Scope 3 emissions categories, then apply that knowledge to correctly classify supplier data, feeling a sense of accomplishment as you master it.

Being Part of a Purpose-Driven Team

You'll be working with people who genuinely care about sustainability and want to make a positive impact. The shared mission will be a constant source of motivation, even on the tougher days.

During team meetings, you'll hear discussions about how to improve our environmental footprint or support local communities, reinforcing that your daily data entry contributes to these larger goals.

What frustrates people
  • The Data Scavenger Hunt: Spending 60% of your time chasing down data from 20 different business units, all of whom use different formats, have missing records, and see your request as a low priority.
  • Explaining the Basics (to yourself, at first): You'll often feel like you're drinking from a firehose, trying to understand complex frameworks and terminology, and sometimes feeling a bit lost.
  • The Regulatory Treadmill (from a distance): You'll hear about new regulations constantly, which means the rules for data collection and reporting are always shifting, making it hard to feel like you've 'mastered' anything for long.
  • Perception as an 'Admin' Role: Sometimes, you might feel like you're just doing data entry, rather than contributing to strategy, which can be a bit deflating if you're looking for big, flashy projects.
What this role does not give you
  • Direct management responsibility or team leadership (not at this level, anyway).
  • High-level strategic decision-making on ESG policy (you'll inform it, not set it).
  • A quiet, predictable routine with no last-minute data requests.
  • The ability to ignore the tedious but essential task of meticulous documentation.

8Who you work with

Your work ensures the foundational data for all our ESG reporting is accurate and complete. This directly impacts our credibility with investors, regulators, and customers. Get it right, and we build trust; get it wrong, and we face reputational damage and potential fines. It's about providing the evidence that backs up our sustainability claims.

Inside the business
  • Senior ESG Programme Specialist
  • ESG Programme Specialist
  • Operations teams (e.g., Facilities, Logistics)
  • Finance team
  • HR team
Outside the business
  • Utility companies (for data collection)
  • Waste management providers (for data collection)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • A genuine interest in sustainability and corporate responsibility – this isn't just a job, it's a mission for us.
  • Solid numerical aptitude and comfort working with large datasets in spreadsheets.
  • Excellent organisational skills; you'll be managing lots of different pieces of information.
  • The ability to communicate clearly, both in writing and verbally, especially when asking for data.
  • A proactive attitude – you don't wait to be told what to do if you spot something that needs attention (after checking with your manager, of course).

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Excel Modelling & Power Query

While dedicated ESG platforms are great, Excel remains the workhorse for many complex calculations and data transformations, especially when dealing with messy raw data. Power Query is becoming essential for automating data cleaning and integration.

Advanced lookup functions (XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH) · Array formulas for complex calculations · Building robust, auditable financial models for ES · Using Power Query to connect to multiple data sour · Data visualisation best practices within Excel

  • This week: Find one repetitive data cleaning task you do in Excel and try to automate it using a simple macro or Power Query.
  • This month: Complete an online course on intermediate to advanced Excel functions, focusing on data manipulation.
  • Month 2: Start building a small, simple model to track a specific ESG metric (e.g., water consumption per product unit).
  • Month 3: Present your findings or a new Excel-based tool to your manager for feedback.

Quick win: Learn how to use 'Text to Columns' and 'Remove Duplicates' in Excel effectively. They're simple but powerful time-savers.

ESG Platform Configuration & User Support

As our ESG platforms mature, we'll need people who can do more than just enter data. Being able to configure workflows, build custom dashboards, and help other users will be critical for maximising our investment in these tools.

Understanding data schemas and custom fields withi · Configuring data collection workflows and approval · Building custom dashboards and reports for specifi · Managing user permissions and access levels · Providing basic technical support and training to

  • This week: Spend extra time exploring all the features of our current ESG platform, beyond your daily tasks.
  • This month: Ask your manager if you can shadow a more senior team member when they're configuring a new report or workflow.
  • Month 2: Volunteer to help onboard a new user to the platform, guiding them through the basics.
  • Month 3: Identify one area where our platform use could be optimised and propose a solution to your manager.

Quick win: Become the go-to person for basic 'how-to' questions on our ESG platform for your immediate team. It builds confidence and knowledge.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Attending industry webinars and online courses on specific ESG topics (e.g., carbon accounting, circular economy).
  • Reading key industry reports and publications to stay up-to-date on trends and regulations.
  • Joining professional networks or online communities related to sustainability to learn from peers.
  • Seeking out internal mentorship opportunities within our organisation to learn from more experienced colleagues.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI-Assisted Data Validation & Cleaning

AI tools are getting incredibly good at spotting anomalies and inconsistencies in large datasets much faster than a human ever could. Our competitors are already using them to speed up their reporting cycles and improve accuracy, so we need to keep up.

  • Anomaly detection algorithms
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) for unstructured
  • Machine learning for predictive data quality
  • Prompt engineering for data cleaning instructions
  • Understanding AI's limitations and 'hallucinations

Understanding Regulatory Interoperability

New regulations like CSRD are forcing companies to report on hundreds of data points, often overlapping with existing frameworks like GRI or SASB. Knowing how to map data across these different standards will save immense time and prevent duplicate efforts.

  • CSRD's European Sustainability Reporting Standards
  • Mapping ESRS to GRI and SASB standards
  • Understanding the 'double materiality' principle i
  • Data tagging and taxonomy for multi-framework repo
  • The concept of 'digital reporting' and XBRL/iXBRL

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • ESG Reporting Frameworks (GRI, SASB, TCFD)
  • GHG Accounting (GHG Protocol Scope 1 & 2)
  • Materiality Assessment Concepts
  • Data Validation & Quality Assurance
  • Documentation & Audit Trail Creation

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Recent Graduate (Sustainability/Environmental Degree)

    0-1 year post-graduation

    Skills to master

    • Translating academic theory into practical data collection, understanding corporate reporting cycles, mastering spreadsheet tools.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully completed a final year project involving data analysis or research.
    • Demonstrated strong analytical skills through coursework.
    • Enthusiasm for corporate sustainability beyond academic interest.
  2. 2

    Internship in Sustainability or Data Analysis

    6-12 months internship experience

    Skills to master

    • Practical experience with data entry, project support, working in a corporate environment, understanding stakeholder dynamics.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Positive feedback from internship supervisors on attention to detail and work ethic.
    • Ability to independently complete assigned tasks during the internship.
    • Basic familiarity with relevant software (e.g., Excel, project management tools).
  3. 3

    Administrative Role with Data Focus & Sustainability Interest

    1-2 years in an administrative or data-heavy support role

    Skills to master

    • Advanced organisational skills, meticulous data handling, effective communication with various departments, self-taught sustainability knowledge.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Proven track record of managing complex information and deadlines.
    • Demonstrated initiative in previous roles to take on data-related tasks.
    • Active engagement in sustainability-related volunteer work or personal learning.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to senior ESG specialist roles, then on to managing ESG programmes or heading up ESG reporting.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Prepare and issue domestic Green Deal Advice Reports, worked against ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator.

Prepare and issue domestic Green Deal Advice Reports Level 3

Applied to your work in ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator

This unit aims to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to prepare accurate and comprehensive domestic Green Deal Advice Reports, based on collected data and assessments of energy efficiency measures, and to understand the procedures for lodging and issuing these reports.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator
  • ESG Reporting Frameworks (GRI, SASB, TCFD)
  • GHG Accounting (GHG Protocol Scope 1 & 2)
  • Materiality Assessment Concepts
  • Data Validation & Quality Assurance
  • Documentation & Audit Trail Creation
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. ESG Programme Specialist (Level 2)

    2-3 years in the ESG Analyst role

    You'll move from executing tasks to owning specific processes or smaller projects independently.

    • Managing a specific data stream end-to-end (e.g., all carbon accounting data).
    • Developing basic reports and dashboards from scratch.
    • Contributing to the design of data collection methodologies.
    • More in-depth application of a specific reporting framework (e.g., becoming the GRI expert).
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, a big chunk of ESG work involves digging through documents and crunching numbers. It's essential, but it can be a real time sink. We're not just talking about the future here; AI tools are already changing how we get things done, freeing you up for the more interesting stuff.

As an ESG Analyst, you'll be using AI to make your daily tasks quicker and more accurate. Think less time on tedious data entry and more time actually understanding what the data means. We're embedding these tools into our workflow, and you'll be at the forefront of using them to supercharge our sustainability efforts. It's about working smarter, not just harder.

Automated Data Extraction

Imagine not having to manually type out every single number from a stack of utility bills or supplier invoices. You'll use AI-powered tools that can scan these documents, pull out key data points like energy consumption or waste tonnage, and slot them directly into our ESG platforms. It's a game-changer for speed and accuracy, especially during peak reporting times.

Quick Peer & Regulatory Summaries

Need to understand what our competitors are saying in their latest sustainability report? Or get a quick grasp of a new piece of environmental regulation? AI can scan these massive documents and give you a concise summary, highlighting the most important bits. This means less time reading dense legal text and more time understanding the implications for our work.

Materiality Assessment Support

When we're figuring out what ESG topics matter most to our business, we look at tonnes of information. AI can help by analysing news articles, social media trends, and investor call transcripts to flag emerging risks and opportunities. You'll use these AI-generated insights to help build a more robust and data-driven materiality assessment, rather than just guessing.

Drafting Disclosure Narratives

Putting together the narrative sections of our sustainability report can take ages. AI can help you generate initial drafts of text based on the data you've collected and our key messaging. You'll then review, refine, and add your human touch, ensuring consistency with reporting frameworks like GRI and adapting the tone for different audiences. It's like having a really smart assistant for your writing.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become an ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator?

Common routes in include Recent Graduate (Sustainability/Environmental Degree) (0-1 year post-graduation), Internship in Sustainability or Data Analysis (6-12 months internship experience) and Administrative Role with Data Focus & Sustainability Interest (1-2 years in an administrative or data-heavy support role). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can an ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator progress to?

This role can lead on to ESG Programme Specialist (2-3 years in the ESG Analyst role), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for an ESG Analyst / Sustainability Coordinator?

Increasingly, AI-Assisted Data Validation & Cleaning and Understanding Regulatory Interoperability. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 2

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in sustainability

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

The skills involved apply across sectors. They can lead to ESG consulting, work with an NGO focused on sustainability, or a sustainability role within a large corporation. Demand for ESG skills continues to grow.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Automation Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.