Everything from energy and waste to transportation and building has been transformed through Washington DC’s superb sustainability efforts. Since it released its first goals for sustainability in 2012, DC has grown into an environmental leader. In fact, our nation’s capital is now home to more LEED-certified buildings than any other city in the nation.
DC has also earned a multitude of accolades for its progress in sustainability from everyone from the EPA (ranked second in the U.S. for its number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings) to the U.S. Green Building Council (ranked first LEED Platinum City in the World) to Siemens (ranked first for environmental governance).
Sustainability efforts in our nation’s capital are found through public, private, and nonprofit sectors and in a variety of fields, creating spectacular opportunities in areas like engineering, public policy, business, and technology.
Sustainability Jobs Available in Washington DC with the Right Degree
Whether your interests lie in sustainable development, renewable energy, waste reduction, or food safety, you’ll find a wealth of opportunities in Washington DC. With the right education and training by your side, you can begin making a difference in DC’s green movement.
A big name in sustainability in DC is the World Resources Institute, a global research organization whose goal is to solve some of the most complex environmental issues. More than 700 sustainability professionals work here on issues like climate, energy, food, forests, and water.
The Institute for Sustainable Communities is a wide-reaching sustainability organization that works with cities, businesses, nonprofits, and more to accelerate the implementation of sustainability initiatives.
Other major players in sustainability here include the Government Accountability Project, which supports the community through its Food Integrity Campaign and addresses issues like food safety, animal welfare, and environmental health, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, which is a coalition of smaller organizations that advocates for reform for sustainability in agriculture.
Careers in sustainability in Washington DC come with impressive salaries, according to 2018 BLS statistics. Environmental engineers earn an average salary of $100,060, while environmental scientists earn an average of $115,190.
Master’s in Sustainability Available Through Schools in Washington DC
You’ll find a nice selection of sustainability master’s programs in Washington DC, most of which are aimed at a specific area within sustainability, such as public policy, business, and sustainable development.
Architecture
The Catholic University of America offers an MS in Sustainable Design through its School of Architecture and Planning. This program prepares designers and architectures to become stewards of the environment. Thanks to its prime location in our nation’s capital, students of this program have the opportunity to work with such influential companies as the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the National Institute of Building Sciences.
Sustainable Development
The School for International Training offers an MA in Sustainable Development: Advocacy, Leadership, and Social Change, which prepares students to help NGOs, social movements, coalitions, community programs, and faith-based organizations better utilize and preserve natural resources.
Business
American University’s MS in Sustainability Management features a business-based curriculum aimed at addressing a wide range of issues in sustainability. This program includes in-depth study into risk assessment, innovation, firm excellence, and more.
Policy
You’ll find a number of options for studying sustainability policy at the master’s level in Washington DC. The George Washington University’s MA in Environmental Resource Policy and Georgetown University’s Master of Public Policy with a concentration in Environmental and Regulatory Policy are two excellent examples of advanced programs that prepare students for environmental policy careers in government agencies, nonprofits, and environmental advocacy groups.
Energy
The George Washington University’s MS in Environmental & Green Chemistry creates scientists who are able to develop creative solutions aimed at sustainability. Coursework in this program combines the study of environmental and green chemistry, along with issues in public health, policy, and business.
Sustainability Bachelor Degree Programs in Washington DC
If you want a solid foundation in sustainability that will take you either directly into the field or will prepare you for future graduate study, a bachelor’s in sustainability is ideal for you.
Washington DC is home to a number of these programs, including Georgetown University’s Environmental Biology major and Science, Technology, and International Affairs major.
