The UK’s environmental services sector is being powered by committed professionals who are increasingly underpaid, overstretched and under-supported creating what researchers are calling a widening “passion pay gap.”

Findings from the 2025 National Environmental Services (NES) Survey, released by the Environmental Services & Solutions (ESS) Expo in partnership with Groundwork UK and the Environmental Services Association (ESA), provide one of the clearest snapshots yet of the UK’s green-skills landscape. More than 600 environmental professionals took part.

While three-quarters (76%) say they are satisfied or neutral about their salary, nearly half (48%) believe their pay doesn’t reflect their experience or responsibility. The research suggests many accept lower pay because they care deeply about climate action, but the model is unsustainable.

“This is a sector fuelled by passion, but passion alone won’t build a Net Zero economy,” said Rob Mowat, Event Director at ESS Expo.

“Professionals are committed, but increasingly stretched. We can’t keep relying on goodwill while failing to invest in the people and skills needed to drive real progress.”

A widening green-skills gap

The survey reveals a clear and growing shortage of green skills across the UK, with 63% of respondents identifying it as a major concern. The most significant shortages were seen in waste management and circular-economy skills, climate adaptation and resilience, sustainability and environmental management.

Despite their central role in achieving Net Zero, areas such as waste management continue to fight outdated stereotypes. Respondents warned that these sectors struggle to attract young talent and diverse candidates, largely because they’re not yet perceived as future-facing, innovative career paths.

The barriers keeping these skill gaps open are well defined. 43% cited a lack of qualified applicants, 42% said tight budgets prevent investment and 32% highlighted limited upskilling opportunities.

Garry Campbell, Head of Policy & Communications at Groundwork UK, says the findings should be a wake-up call. “Green jobs are critical infrastructure. They deliver climate action, build community resilience and drive the low-carbon transition. To attract talent, we need to provide the right training, support and fair pay.”

Financial pressure is slowing Net Zero progress

More than half (52%) of respondents identified financial constraints as the biggest barrier to achieving Net Zero ahead of legislation, innovation and organisational capacity.

The survey shows underfunding leads to skill shortages, which in turn hold back green initiatives. Taken together, the findings suggest a systemic underinvestment in people, rather than a lack of ambition.

Opportunities exist, if employers and government act

Despite the challenges, industry sentiment isn’t wholly negative. Respondents see major potential in clean and green technology, the circular economy and green infrastructure projects.

But they stressed that achieving this potential requires aligned investment in skills, fair reward and better workforce planning. Without it, enthusiasm alone won’t close capability gaps.

“There’s a critical support gap in the environmental services industry,” Mowat concluded,“the opportunity to shape the UK’s transition to a greener, more resilient economy is huge.

The workforce is motivated, and the solutions already exist, but what’s missing is joined-up investment in people, skills and innovation.”