Environmental economist
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work extra hours
- Usually work in offices or outdoors and may travel
- Need to be accurate, methodical and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Study the economy and environmental protection
- Predict economic, political and social trends
- Research environmental impacts of activities and policies
- Check regulations and policy
- Collect environmental data and samples
- Develop sustainability plans and projects
- Promote environmental sustainability and conservation
- Create models of environmental conditions
- Prepare scientific reports and presentations
- Publish environmental research results
Outlook
Environmental economists help assess the costs, benefits and economic impacts of environmental decisions. Demand is being supported by growing interest in climate adaptation, sustainable resource management and environmental investment. In New Zealand and internationally, organisations are increasingly considering the economic value of natural resources, biodiversity and climate action when making policy and business decisions, creating opportunities for economic expertise in environmental planning and strategy.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Analytical and critical thinking skills
- Ability to work with complex data and evidence
- Strong research skills
- Understanding of economic systems and policy
- Clear communication of technical information
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
Further study options
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.