Climate change analysts research and analyse data relating to climate change, and develop policy documents designed to help prevent further climate change or reduce the effects of climate change. Climate change analysts create mathematical models to predict environmental changes. Their work is used to educate and inform policy and planning surrounding climate change, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
    
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Alternative names: Climatologist, Climate Advisor, Climate Analyst, Climate and Energy Program Associate, Climate Economist, Environmental Policy Analyst, Policy Analyst, Policy Associate, Policy Research Associate, Regional Science Advisor, Climate and Energy Analyst,

    
Knowledge, skills and attributes

To become a climate change analyst, you would need:

• the ability to analyse and research information

• strong reading, writing and comprehension skills

• enjoy solving complex problems

• good report writing skills

• imaginative, with skills in creative reasoning

• to have a strong interest in climate and the environment

• able to think logically and analytically in a problem-solving environment

• to be able to work as part of a team

• a good understanding of the law and government

• well developed computing skills

• able to accept responsibility

• willing to continually update skills and knowledge

• the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical people

(Source: GreenBiz)

(Source: Science Buddies)

Duties and Tasks
  
As a climate change analyst, you might:

• studies the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere to increase understanding of weather and climate, and to forecast changes in the weather and long-term climatic trends

• create or use mathematical models to analyse climate data

• provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.

• propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.

• prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.

• analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.

• make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.

• interpret data related to environmental effects or changes

• model changes and make predictions within specified parameters

• use various modelling softwares and techniques to produce reports

• prepare reports and other related documents for governments and environmental organisations

• make climate-related recommendations for legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches

Working conditions
   
Climate change analysts typically work full time and have standard work schedules. Climate change analysts usually work in offices, and may also be required to work in the field on occasions. They usually work in a team with other environmental scientists and specialists.

Climate change analysts might work in government departments and agencies, environmental groups or companies, or in not-for-profit organisations.

Tools and technologies

• Analytical or scientific software Community Climate System Model CCSM; Grid analysis and display system GrADS; SAS ; The MathWorks MATLAB

• Development environment software Formula translation/translator FORTRAN; Interface definition language IDL; NCAR Command Language NCL; Unidata Network common data form NetCDF

• Object or component oriented development software C++ ; Perl ; Python ; R

• Operating system software Linux ; UNIX
  

Education and training/entrance requirements
   
To become a climate change analyst you usually have to complete a bachelor's degree in science, with a major in areas such as environmental science, earth science, climatology or meteorology. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent. English, biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics would be appropriate subjects to study prior to university.


Employment Opportunities

Employment of climate change analysts is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job growth is expected to be driven mainly by the number of roles created in government departments and agencies, which is reliant on government policy.
   
   

Environmental Scientist

Geophysicist

Meteorologist

Physicist