Despite some progress, minority groups remain underrepresented in environmental jobs. The latest RACE Report highlights this issue, showing both improvements and ongoing challenges.
This year, 137 organizations shared their data on diversity, a record number. Among them, 8 were newcomers. This report represents over 28,000 workers in the sustainability sector. The percentage of people of color in these organizations rose from 6.2% in 2022 to 8.4% in 2025. While this is a step forward, it’s still below the overall UK workforce, where 17% identify as Black, Asian, or from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Representation varies significantly by organization type. Groups focused on climate justice reported 16.3% minority staff, while other sustainability roles had only 3.5%. Interestingly, positions linked to securing grants were more diverse, but those related to membership reported just 3% minority representation.
Location also plays a role. London, the UK’s most diverse city, leads in workforce diversity. Gender, age, and disability also influence these statistics. Among white employees, 31% are male, while for minority employees, that number is 31% too, but only 5% are over 55 years old, indicating a younger workforce.
Concerningly, discrimination remains a significant issue. About 10% of minority staff reported experiencing or witnessing discrimination at work, compared to just 5% of their white colleagues. At management levels, 12% of minority-identifying senior staff have experienced similar situations, versus 8% of white peers. The situation is even worse among clients, where 22% of people of color reported harassment compared to 15% of white individuals.
Experts believe that an increase in diversity can lead to a reduction in harassment incidents. Research shows that workplaces with robust Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policies see higher percentages of minority staff. Organizations with 26 to 30 such initiatives had an average of 13.2% non-white employees, while those with fewer than 20 had only 3.4%.
This raises questions about the impact of current societal attitudes. As discussions on equality and representation become contentious, it’s crucial for organizations to remain dedicated to these efforts. Manu Maunganidze from the RACE Report team noted that many organizations faced barriers in submitting data this year—not because they lacked commitment, but due to capacity issues. Future initiatives aim to simplify the data submission process to encourage broader participation.
Despite challenges, this year’s report provides hope. It reflects a slow but steady commitment to improving inclusivity in the sustainability sector. As more organizations focus on these issues, there is potential for positive change, making it vital to maintain momentum.
For further reading on the importance of diversity in organizational effectiveness, you can check research from the McKinsey Global Institute, which outlines the advantages of diverse workplaces. McKinsey & Company
