The environment sector has asked people to work for free for too long; it’s one of the reasons it hasn’t been considered investable—it wouldn’t even invest in itself!
For too long, the environment sector has relied on unpaid work—whether disguised as internships, volunteer roles, or “valuable experience.” This outdated practice undermines progress by limiting diversity and excluding new talent. It’s time to throw out the “way we’ve always done things” and reimagine internships as genuine investments in both people and the planet.
I recently responded to a LinkedIn question about whether our internships were paid by confirming that; “All our internships are paid, otherwise they’re not internships they’re work experience”.Unpaid internships create enormous barriers to entry, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. How can we expect the brightest, most creative minds to lead the fight against biodiversity collapse and climate change if we refuse to pay them?
Unpaid internships aren’t just a financial burden; they are symptomatic of a deeper failure in our values. If we don’t invest in nurturing talent, how can we expect anyone else to invest in the sector’s long-term success? We are facing unprecedented challenges—climate collapse, biodiversity loss—and the solutions to these problems demand new ideas, diverse perspectives, and relentless challenge to the status quo.
Moreover, the expectation that people should work for free while others profit is inherently unsustainable. The sector often demands incredible dedication and long hours from those passionate about making a difference—but dedication should be met with fair compensation. It’s time we challenge this culture of exploitation and insist that hard work in the name of environmental progress is rewarded, not taken for granted.
By continuing to offer unpaid internships, we undermine our credibility and send a loud, unspoken message: we value short-term cost savings over long-term impact – the very impact many of us are claiming we need. If we’re truly committed to sustainability and climate resilience, we must first prove that we can sustain our own workforce. Paid internships are a declaration to the world that we are serious about professionalising this sector, bringing it in line with industries that recognise and reward talent.
Investing in paid internships does more than level the playing field—it signals a future-facing, professionalised environment sector. By fostering equitable, well-compensated roles, we show governments, businesses, and investors that we’re not just playing at saving the world; we’re building a new asset class and a sustainable industry, grounded in fairness and ambition. After all, how can we talk about sustainability if our own practices are fundamentally unsustainable?
Unpaid internships aren’t just ethically questionable—they are strategically shortsighted. To build the leaders who will navigate the complex challenges of climate change, biodiversity restoration, and sustainable development, we must first invest in them. In the end, the path to a sustainable planet runs through valuing those working tirelessly to secure its future—today’s interns and tomorrow’s leaders.
All our internships are paid, and offer challenging and meaningful work with incredible support, coaching and mentoring. They also offer a clear route to employment within the sector, Oxygen Conservation, or beyond. Five of our former interns are now permanent members of the team and we would love to see that number grow.
Our 2025 internship programme is now open.