Net-Zero Policy Analyst

GoodPeople; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Net Zero Careers is recruiting a Net-Zero Policy Analyst to support local councils in developing net zero carbon policies for Local Plans. You will gather data, perform spreadsheet-based analysis, and prepare reports and presentations for planners and council officers.

You will begin with guided methods and project-manager support, then progress to independent work and potential travel for UK projects. Graduates with planning system exposure are welcome.

Qualifications

• Experience or exposure to the English planning system (paid, voluntary, work experience or study).
• A genuine interest in environmental, sustainability and climate change issues.
• Strong data handling and spreadsheet skills, with good attention to detail.
• Confident with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Able to explain technical information in plain language, in writing and verbally.
• Organised, practical and able to manage your own time across several projects.
• Willing to learn new analytical tools and apply set methods consistently.
• Degree in a related subject or relevant industry experience.
• Understanding of carbon budgets, emissions pathways and how planned development links to building and transport emissions.
• Experience with carbon, energy, transport or spatial datasets.
• Experience with net zero planning policy or evidence bases for local authorities.
• Experience working in or with local government.
• Master's degree in a relevant subject.
• Confident presenting to a range of people.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, organising and checking national and local datasets for local carbon budget assessments.
• Using spreadsheets to compare local carbon budgets with projected emissions from planned growth under different policy scenarios.
• Preparing inputs and reviewing outputs from a spatial planning tool to test site allocation and growth scenarios.
• Interpreting results on building and transport emissions, including assumptions, uncertainty and limitations.
• Drafting clear reports, charts and presentations that explain technical findings to planners and council officers.
• Supporting project managers with client work, workshops and project meetings, sometimes presenting to clients.
• Keeping clear records of data and assumptions, and delivering tasks on time and within budget.
• Supporting business development such as case studies and tender responses (around 10% of the role)

Skills

Data handling

Spreadsheet skills

Attention to detail

Written & verbal communication

Time management

Organised

Learning new tools

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related subject

Master's degree in a relevant subject

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Location: Hybrid, central London office (2-3 days a week in the office, more at the start while you settle in)

Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, currently on a 9-day fortnight (every other Friday off with no loss of pay)

Salary: £28,900 - £32,000 per year, depending on experience

Experience required: Experience or exposure to the English planning system (paid, voluntary, work experience or study). Graduates welcome.

About Net Zero Careers

Net Zero Careers connects people with jobs that support the UK's transition to net zero.

We're recruiting a Net-Zero Policy Analyst for an award-winning, purpose-led sustainability consultancy that has been helping businesses, developers and local authorities tackle the climate and ecological emergency for over 30 years.

About the role

As a Net-Zero Policy Analyst, you'll support local councils to develop net zero carbon policies for their Local Plans. You'll help build the evidence behind those policies, including local carbon budget assessments and analysis of how different growth options affect emissions from buildings and transport.

Day to day, you'll gather and check data, carry out spreadsheet-based analysis and help turn the findings into clear reports and presentations for council planners. You'll start by using established methods with support from project managers, then take on more independent work as your knowledge develops. There may also be opportunities to support new-build and retrofit projects, and the role includes occasional UK travel.

This role suits someone with a genuine interest in climate change who wants to apply it to planning policy. Commercial experience isn't required, and recent graduates are welcome to apply if they have experience or exposure to the English planning system.

Key responsibilities

• Sourcing, organising and checking national and local datasets for local carbon budget assessments
• Using spreadsheets to compare local carbon budgets with projected emissions from planned growth under different policy scenarios
• Preparing inputs and reviewing outputs from a spatial planning tool to test site allocation and growth scenarios
• Interpreting results on building and transport emissions, including assumptions, uncertainty and limitations
• Drafting clear reports, charts and presentations that explain technical findings to planners and council officers
• Supporting project managers with client work, workshops and project meetings, sometimes presenting to clients
• Keeping clear records of data and assumptions, and delivering tasks on time and within budget
• Supporting business development such as case studies and tender responses (around 10% of the role)

Qualifications and experience

• Experience or exposure to the English planning system, ideally in the context of net zero (voluntary work, work experience, placements or planning courses all count)
• A genuine interest in environmental, sustainability and climate change issues
• Strong data handling and spreadsheet skills, with good attention to detail
• Confident with Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Able to explain technical information in plain language, in writing and verbally
• Organised, practical and able to manage your own time across several projects
• Willing to learn new analytical tools and apply set methods consistently
• Degree in a related subject (e.g. environmental science, geography, planning, engineering) or relevant industry experience
• Understanding of carbon budgets, emissions pathways and how planned development links to building and transport emissions
• Experience with carbon, energy, transport or spatial datasets
• Experience with net zero planning policy or evidence bases for local authorities
• Experience working in or with local government
• Master's degree in a relevant subject
• Confident presenting to a range of people

There are two stages. First, a Teams call (late November). Second, a face-to-face interview at the central London office (early December). Before the interview, candidates must have read the full job specification and be ready to talk about it.

The closing date is 9am Monday 16 November 2026. Interviews will happen throughout the advertising period, and the role may close early if the right person is found.