u/COwls97

I’m looking for some honest career advice from people working in sustainability/ESG, especially in the UK.

I’m currently in a sustainability-focused role at a medium-sized company and have around 3–4 years of experience in the field. My work started fairly operational but has evolved into something much broader and more strategic over time.

I now lead or heavily contribute to things like:
- ESG/sustainability strategy
- Carbon accounting and emissions reporting
- Supplier sustainability/procurement initiatives
- ESG reporting frameworks and certifications
- Tender support and commercial sustainability positioning
- Internal engagement/training
- DE&I and social impact initiatives
- Sustainability governance and cross-functional projects
- ISO/environmental management related work

The issue is that my salary progression doesn’t seem to match the scope of the role anymore.

Over the past year especially, the business has increasingly relied on me for high-visibility projects, external positioning, and strategic direction, but compensation and role structure haven’t really evolved at the same pace.

I’ve also noticed behaviour that feels a bit contradictory:
- verbally recognising my value and impact
- involving me in senior-level discussions
- expanding responsibilities
- but being hesitant when it comes to compensation, title alignment, or formal progression

At times it feels like they want senior-level output without fully committing to senior-level pay.

I recently had conversations internally that implied I may need to “move into a different role” entirely to get a meaningful salary increase, even though I’m already doing work outside my original remit.

For context:
- I’m UK-based
- I work in-house rather than consultancy
- I’d describe my niche as somewhere between sustainability, ESG strategy, social impact, governance, and commercial enablement
- I’m starting to wonder whether my skillset is now being undervalued because it sits between multiple departments/functions

My questions are:

1. Does this sound familiar to others in sustainability?
2. Is this common in ESG/sustainability roles where the function matures faster than the compensation structure?
3. What salary range are people with ~3–4 years experience actually earning in the UK right now?
4. At what point do you stop trying to “prove value” internally and just move elsewhere?
5. Is it realistic to transition from this type of hybrid role into consulting/freelance work?

Would really appreciate honest perspectives from people already in the industry.

I’m looking for some honest career advice from people working in sustainability/ESG, especially in the UK.

I’m currently in a sustainability-focused role at a medium-sized company and have around 3–4 years of experience in the field. My work started fairly operational but has evolved into something much broader and more strategic over time.

I now lead or heavily contribute to things like:
- ESG/sustainability strategy
- Carbon accounting and emissions reporting
- Supplier sustainability/procurement initiatives
- ESG reporting frameworks and certifications
- Tender support and commercial sustainability positioning
- Internal engagement/training
- DE&I and social impact initiatives
- Sustainability governance and cross-functional projects
- ISO/environmental management related work

The issue is that my salary progression doesn’t seem to match the scope of the role anymore.

Over the past year especially, the business has increasingly relied on me for high-visibility projects, external positioning, and strategic direction, but compensation and role structure haven’t really evolved at the same pace.

I’ve also noticed behaviour that feels a bit contradictory:
- verbally recognising my value and impact
- involving me in senior-level discussions
- expanding responsibilities
- but being hesitant when it comes to compensation, title alignment, or formal progression

At times it feels like they want senior-level output without fully committing to senior level pay.

I recently had conversations internally that implied I may need to “move into a different role” entirely to get a meaningful salary increase, even though I’m already doing work outside my original remit.

For context:
- I’m UK-based
- I work in-house rather than consultancy
- I’d describe my niche as somewhere between sustainability, ESG strategy, social impact, governance, and commercial enablement
- I’m starting to wonder whether my skillset is now being undervalued because it sits between multiple departments and/or functions

My questions are:

1. Does this sound familiar to others in sustainability?
2. Is this common in ESG/sustainability roles where the function matures faster than the compensation structure?
3. What salary range are people with ~3–4 years experience actually earning in the UK right now?
4. At what point do you stop trying to “prove value” internally and just move elsewhere?
5. Is it realistic to transition from this type of hybrid role into consulting/freelance work?

Would really appreciate honest perspectives from people already in the industry.

I’m looking for some honest career advice from people working in sustainability/ESG, especially in the UK.

I’m currently in a sustainability-focused role at a medium-sized company and have around 3–4 years of experience in the field. My work started fairly operational but has evolved into something much broader and more strategic over time.

I now lead or heavily contribute to things like:
- ESG/sustainability strategy
- Carbon accounting and emissions reporting
- Supplier sustainability/procurement initiatives
- ESG reporting frameworks and certifications
- Tender support and commercial sustainability positioning
- Internal engagement/training
- DE&I and social impact initiatives
- Sustainability governance and cross-functional projects
- ISO/environmental management related work

The issue is that my salary progression doesn’t seem to match the scope of the role anymore.

Over the past year especially, the business has increasingly relied on me for high-visibility projects, external positioning, and strategic direction, but compensation and role structure haven’t really evolved at the same pace.

I’ve also noticed behaviour that feels a bit contradictory:
- verbally recognising my value and impact
- involving me in senior-level discussions
- expanding responsibilities
- but being hesitant when it comes to compensation, title alignment, or formal progression

At times it feels like they want senior-level output without fully committing to senior-level pay.

I recently had conversations internally that implied I may need to “move into a different role” entirely to get a meaningful salary increase, even though I’m already doing work outside my original remit.

For context:
- I’m UK-based
- I work in-house rather than consultancy
- I’d describe my niche as somewhere between sustainability, ESG strategy, social impact, governance, and commercial enablement
- I’m starting to wonder whether my skillset is now being undervalued because it sits between multiple departments/functions

My questions are:

1. Does this sound familiar to others in sustainability?
2. Is this common in ESG/sustainability roles where the function matures faster than the compensation structure?
3. What salary range are people with ~3–4 years experience actually earning in the UK right now?
4. At what point do you stop trying to “prove value” internally and just move elsewhere?
5. Is it realistic to transition from this type of hybrid role into consulting/freelance work?

Would really appreciate honest perspectives from people already in the industry.