Gauri Chhabra
While India pats itself on its back for a growing GDP and increasing capitalization, the national capital is slowly getting choked by the smog which seems to be worst in the past 17 years. It is making children wheeze, inching them towards a chronic cough and breathlessness. The latest urban air quality database released by the World Health Organization (WHO) says that India ranks among the world’s worst for its polluted air. Delhi is among the most polluted cities in the world today.The report reconfirms that most Indian cities are soon becoming death traps because of very high air pollution levels.Whether it is land degradation or river contamination, India has it all and on a massive scale.
The awareness of these and many other issues necessitates the careers of environmental consultants who provide public and private sector clients with advice on issues such as soil contamination, water pollution, air quality, industrial pollution, renewable energy technology, environmental impact assessments, environmental audits, and waste management.
Eligibility and skillset
For admission to bachelor’s degree, you must have passed 10+2 with science subjects such as Biology, Mathematics and Chemistry.For those aspiring opportunities on the technical side of environment consulting, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science, environmental studies, geology, environmental engineering, or a closely related field is the minimum requirement.
Besides, you should have excellent research & data analysis skills, be able to present complex information in statistical format,adept with latest environmental laws and regulations in order to ensure compliance.
Course Cursor
*B.Sc in Environmental Science
*Bachelor of Environment Management
*B.Sc in Environmental Science and Water Management
*M.Sc in Environmental Management
*Master of Technology in Environmental Engineering
Institute Watch
*University of Delhi, offering M.A/M.Sc. in Environmental Studies.
*TERI University, Delhi, offering M.Sc. in Environmental Studies and Resource Management
*Amity University, Noida, offering B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences, M.Tech in Environmental Engineering and M.Sc in Environmental Sciences and Management.
*University of Calicut, Kerala, offering B.Sc in Environmental Science and Water Management and M.Sc in Environmental Science.
*Ranchi University, Ranchi, offering B.Sc in Environmental Science and Water Management.
*Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh, offering Post Graduate diploma in Environment and M.Sc in Environmental Science.
*Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), offering Certificate course in Environmental Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development.
Career Scope
There are many career options that offshoot from Environment Consultancy. They are in the private and government organizations. Besides, the global organizations engaged in pollution control and sustainable growth areoffering attractive compensation to the fresh graduates. Some of the options are mentioned below:
Entrepreneurship
If you have an entrepreneurial acumen, you may go in for freelance work. Here your strong academic background can hold you in good stead. Training courses, conferences, workshops and networking events are often provided by chartered institutions and professional societies, which must be constantly looked into. These are essential for building a long and successful career as an environmental consultant.
Teaching and Research
Teaching is another area to explore for environmental enthusiasts. It helps spread the knowledge and create more experts in the arena. The opportunities are available in almost all universities. Research and Development could also be undertaken in this field. Environmental consultants design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Environmental Communication
Those interested in mass media could explore environmental communication as experts. Environmental writers are much sought after these days.
Social welfare
NGOs or non-profit organizations are coming up in a big way globally to work towards the environment cause. Starting your own NGO or being a part of an international NGO could be another option.
International Organizations:
International organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations roll out short and long term consulting opportunities in the various areas of environment in different countries. Their websites could be checked for job postings that keep floating on a regular basis.
In Conversation with Dr. Pooja Chopra, Environment & Management Consultant, Founder Director, Orlina Ventures Pvt. Ltd
In the current scenario, when ‘Environmental Pollution’ seems to be the ‘red alert’ phrase, what is the role played by Environmental Consultant?
In the current socio – economic landscape, the environmental consultant plays an integral role in maintaining the ecosystem by reducing the detrimental impact of industrial, commercial and government initiatives on the environment. He works on environmental issues offering expert, advisory and assessment services. The issues may be technical and non-technical. He has to evaluate current environmental policy, management systems and processes through comprehensive audits, and measure environmental contamination inside and outside the concerned organization.
He may also be responsible for raising awareness on the importance of conservation, sustainability and other environment-related matters.He needs to understand the clients’ demands and conduct onsite visits. This is to be followed by a thorough research activity, so that environmental issues are addressed properly and appropriate solutions can be designed. To coordinate and collaborate with the team of environmental scientists, engineers, technicians, experts in environmental laws to discuss and resolve the environmental issue by ensuring compliance with the environmental laws is another key role.
Where do environmental consultants work?
As an environmental consultant, you would be working in areas of natural environment as well as in the corporate sector. In the natural environment, you would take care of protected areas like National Parks, Zoos, Wetlands, Conservation Parks, Herbal Gardens and the like. On the corporate side, aspects like industrial pollution, waste management, and recycling, corporate environment sustainability reporting, renewable energy technology are taken care of. Besides, there are public private partnerships (PPP) initiatives worldwide that require the services of environmental consultants. For instance the Global Alliance for clean Cook-stoves is an initiative hosted by United Nations Foundation aimed at supporting large-scale adoption of clean and safe household cooking to curb indoor air pollution (IAP).
What is the scope of a career as an Environmental Consultant?
The scope in this field is huge. Needless to say, the next decade belongs to Environmental consultants. You could be associated with private companies, all levels of government, wildlife organizations, and conservation groups. Typically though, one will start as a junior consultant, before becoming an associate consultant, senior consultant, and then finally a principal consultant. As you move up the ranks, you will have more managerial responsibilities and will most likely take a step back from hands-on fieldwork and the technical side of things.
What are the challenges faced by you while working?
Well, my job is both challenging and exciting. It sometimes gets difficult to convince the key stakeholders that we are on the verge of a depleting planet in terms of necessary natural resources and that immediate actions are required.
However, once you follow your passion, the challenges become your motivation and inspiration to do better. Consultants who work in biodiversity conservation projects have to work in remote forest areas which are almost cut off from the real world – be it in terms of accessibility through roads or technology. These areas of pristine nature though offer challenges but implant thrill in the nerves. Unavailability of food, improper electricity supplies or limited public transport also pose threat and adds to project delays. Sometimes Mother Nature itself hinders the work during heavy monsoons, extreme heat or foggy winters.
Another challenge is the weak intention of the client. Some of them are looking for cosmetic changes in their projects that just give them a “Green Reputation”, without truly aiming for a green project. All they want to showcase is they are pro-environment and are eco-friendly, but may not want to go for 100% of it.
What advicewould you like to give to the students getting into this field?
Those who love to work in diverse work environment can take up a career as an environmental consultant. For those interested in the softer side, management degrees in communications, business and environmental management may also be very helpful in providing prospective environmental consultants with relevant skills, knowledge and competencies. This assists in rising up the professional ladder, especially if you chose to get into a job instead of becoming an entrepreneur.
To get into the international arena, you should aspire for scholarships during academics. This not only provides for financial aid, but also opens up various opportunities for getting associated with the sponsoring organizations. You should explore the list of sponsors both within the university and those sponsoring candidates externally through various programs.This gives a practical understanding of things on ground.
The Road Ahead
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) suggests that India needs to leapfrog to Euro VI standards by 2020-21 in terms of air standards. All cities need to implement clean air action plan to curb pollution from all sources to meet clean air standards in a time bound manner. Also, government must inform people about the air quality on a daily basis and issue health alerts for especially children, elderly, and those suffering from respiratory and cardiac problems. And there is other forms of pollution that need to be curbed.
Therefore, if you wish to be part of the making of a green and grinning planet, being an Environment Consultant is THE option for you.
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