Accelerating a Sustainable Future

Applications closed

At a glance

Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time, and McKinsey's aspiration is to help build a more sustainable and inclusive future. From the boardroom to the engine room, we serve as a preeminent impact collaborator and advisor on sustainability, climate, energy transition, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. More than 1,000 sustainability colleagues leverage thought leadership, innovative tools and solutions, and a vibrant ecosystem of industry associations and knowledge platforms focused on innovating to net-zero emissions.

>1.7K

projects

in the past three years

>600

clients served

across ~70 countries

>1K

colleagues

with deep sustainability expertise

Application details

Do you want to help create lasting impact? Are you ready to take the next step in your professional journey? If so, we invite you to join our “Accelerating a Sustainable Future” program. The program features a range of open sustainability roles globally for both early career and experienced professionals.

You should apply if you:

  • are passionate about the environment or have an interest related to ESG
  • want to use your knowledge and expertise to create positive changes in lives and communities
  • enjoy problem solving and creative thinking

The program application period is closed.

Applications closed

Benefits of the program

Before you apply

You will be able to join our global speaker series. If you are interested in a Q&A session with our recruiters, please register for the event in your respective region.

Registration closed

During your application process

Once you have been selected for our first-round interviews, you will have the opportunity:

  • To participate in small virtual meetups to connect with McKinsey Sustainability experts.
  • To attend in-depth case study workshops to help you excel during your interview.
  • To access 1:1 interview coaching sessions with McKinsey alumni, if you're an experienced applicant.

Once you receive your offer

After joining the firm:

  • You will be paired with a colleague who will help you navigate your first few months in our Sustainability Practice.
  • You could work on McKinsey pro bono sustainability projects, in addition to receiving two days per year to volunteer at an organization of your choice.
  • We will plant a tree in your name in partnership with Treedom.

Meet our sustainability-focused colleagues

From intern to expert in McKinsey Sustainability
What started as an internship to spice up his resume turned into a fulfilling career that is enabling Maurits to drive energy transitions and sustainable agriculture development on a global scale.

My chance to help save polar bears
For Monica, a risk management expert, a career fighting for the environment seemed like just a dream—until she joined McKinsey’s sustainability growth platform.

Changing the world, one client at a time
Nicole, a sustainability fellow with McKinsey’s Global Sustainability practice, uses her role at McKinsey to affect lasting change and inspire a new generation of green leaders.

Related

Sustainability at McKinsey

The climate crisis is one of the defining issues of our time, and as a firm, we are investing $1 billion over the next five years to help our clients lead a wave of innovation and growth that safeguards our planet.

How we help our clients
Our firm has extensive experience in helping businesses, governments, and nongovernmental organizations across sectors define and realize sustainability goals, making us a leading catalyst for global decarbonization. We’re working to help all industry sectors transform and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Our insights
We have a long history of using our knowledge and expertise to produce in depth, fact based reports and articles that examine the trends shaping business, society, and the planet. Through our research and insights, we seek to generate new thinking, identify practical solutions, and build knowledge to inspire action.

Our partnerships
Addressing the climate crisis depends on collaboration and coordinated action. To amplify our impact, we work closely with our clients, peers, suppliers, not for profits, and other organizations to scale the solutions we need to limit global warming to the 1.5°-degree pathway.

Our commitment to sustainability
We have been carbon neutral since 2018 and we will reach net-zero climate impact by 2030 through decarbonizing our operations, investing in natural climate solutions, and accelerating progress through partnerships.

How can climate technology help speed the transition to net-zero emissions?

“We built this economy over the past 200 years. We’re going to have to radically change it over the next 30.” How can climate technology help speed the transition to net zero?

Our work

Finding alternatives to plastic packaging

We identified $240 million in annual savings for a multinational food company by helping it switch to more sustainable materials, focusing on the sustainability, cost, supply-and-demand dynamics, and recycling potential of alternatives to plastics.

Shifting from fossil fuels to green energy

We helped a major energy provider dramatically reduce carbon emissions, including an 82 percent reduction in CO2, while increasing operating profit. To do this, we defined a strategy and execution plan to reduce the carbon intensity of scope 1 and 2 emissions to zero by 2025.

Partnering with a private equity climate fund

We are supporting the climate-related fund of a top private-equity group by advising fund managers and limited partners on emerging sustainability strategies and technologies, identifying investment opportunities, providing detailed diligence, and working with portfolio companies to deliver post-acquisition growth.

Decarbonizing a major vehicle manufacturer

We worked with a major automobile manufacturer to decarbonize products from supply chain to drive train. We worked across the organization—strategy, R&D, and supply chain—to find a pathway to reduce its carbon footprint 70 to 90 percent by 2030.

Featured insights

Article - McKinsey Quarterly

The net-zero transition in the wake of the war in Ukraine: A detour, a derailment, or a different path?
The invasion of Ukraine will, at least initially, complicate the transition path to a net-zero economy, but this tragic development... could still prove to be a turning point in accelerating progress in the medium run.
Report

Nature and financial institutions in Africa: A first assessment of opportunities and risks
Africa’s climate resilience can be strengthened by redefining its economic model to leverage natural capital and designing... financial systems to redirect critical nature-based investments.
Article

Capturing growth in Asia’s emerging EV ecosystem
Asia’s electric-vehicle market is poised for growth. Those who approach the challenges and opportunities with an ecosystem... view can create significant value for their business—and the global climate.
Article

Accelerating toward net zero: The green business building opportunity
Surging demand for zero-carbon technologies, materials, and services gives companies opportunities to build new green businesses.... Leaders that move quickly could see exponential growth.
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