Mentoring Programme Doubles Places to Boost Career Progression for People of Colour in Sustainability

The Institute for Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), in partnership with the Diverse Sustainability Initiative and the University of Strathclyde, will double the number of mentee places available for people of colour in its career development programme.

Despite growing attention on inclusion, the environmental and sustainability profession remains one of the UK’s least racially diverse sectors. Just 11% of professionals identify as people of colour in sustainability roles, according to The RACE Report 2024.

Representation drops even further at senior level, with only 9% of leadership positions held by People of Colour across 131 organisations. By comparison, 18% of the UK population does not identify as White, highlighting a significant under-representation. This lack of representation creates additional barriers to career progression, including impostor syndrome, isolation, and discrimination.

TACKLING DIVERSITY GAPS IN SUSTAINABILITY

ISEP launched its mentoring pilot earlier this year, pairing 19 senior Fellows as mentors with 20 early-career professionals. The scheme was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), with evaluation carried out by the University of Strathclyde. Participants rated the programme 9 out of 10 for satisfaction and recommendation. Reported benefits included:

• Greater clarity on career direction
• Skills development and progression opportunities
• Access to networks
• Increased confidence and personal growth

“There are so many reasons why increasing diversity in sustainability is vital to its future. Without diverse perspectives, the sector misses out on innovation,” shared Dr Katherine Ellsworth-Krebs, Chancellor’s Fellow in Sustainable Design at Strathclyde, who led the evaluation. “Mentees told us that lack of representation directly impacts their lived experiences, making it harder to navigate an already complex field.”

PROGRESSION INTO LEADERSHIP ROLES

Following the success of the pilot, ISEP will double the number of mentees in the next round of the programme, giving more people of colour in sustainability the chance to gain structured guidance from experienced leaders. Caris Graham, Senior Diverse Sustainability Officer, explained the wider impact: “As the saying goes, you can’t be what you can’t see. This scheme helps people of colour already in the profession progress into leadership roles, reducing the diversity gap at the top and creating role models for future generations.”

Graham added that mentoring should be a priority for organisations serious about inclusion: “Mentoring builds self-confidence, which is crucial for success. For those who are marginalised or underrepresented, it can make all the difference. However, it’s vital that schemes acknowledge systemic barriers faced by people of colour, so they don’t reinforce existing inequalities.”

ATTRACTION & RETENTION OF DIVERSE TALENT

The pilot report highlights practical steps employers can take to improve retention and progression of people of colour in sustainability roles, including validating lived experiences of systemic racism and offering ongoing structured support.

“Recruitment is only one side of the coin. Retention is equally critical,” highlighted Graham. “Our mentees reported that having their experiences recognised and supported gave them the confidence to overcome challenges and succeed.”

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