Environmental organizations in the UK are facing criticism for their lack of racial diversity, especially in leadership positions. A recent report from the Race on the Climate Emergency (Race) initiative reveals that fewer than one in 20 individuals working in the sector identify as people of color.
This statistic starkly contrasts with the UK workforce average of 16%, highlighting a significant disparity in representation. Areeba Hamid, co-director of Greenpeace, emphasizes the urgent need for change within these organizations.

Quick Summary
A report finds that only 4.5% of employees in UK environmental charities identify as non-white, down from 6% in 2023.
Average UK workforce diversity: 16%
Environmental sector diversity: 4.5%“Environmental organizations are still very white, especially at the top.” – Areeba Hamid
Background
The third annual Race report highlights a troubling trend in the environmental sector’s workforce diversity. Despite efforts from various organizations to engage with diversity initiatives, the overall representation of ethnic minorities remains alarmingly low.
Impact
The report analyzed data from 161 environmental organizations, representing over 28,600 employees—more than double the previous year’s sample size. However, the findings indicate a decline in racial diversity, with only 4.5% of workers identifying as part of ethnic minority groups compared to 6% last year.
Expert Opinions
Areeba Hamid stated, “I find myself in CEO meetings where I’m the only person of color in the room… it just doesn’t feel right in 21st-century Britain.” Manu Maunganidze, part of the research team, added that while progress is being made in data collection, substantial work remains to ensure that people of color are represented in discussions about climate change.

Areeba Hamid highlighted the importance of representation: “People of color may be minoritized in the UK but, globally, they’re on the frontlines of climate change.” The report indicates that larger organizations (500-1,000 staff) have a mere 1.8% representation from ethnic minorities compared to smaller organizations (10-49 staff), which average 14.1%.
FAQs
- Q: What does this report mean for future hiring practices?
- A: The report underscores the need for environmental organizations to implement more inclusive hiring practices to enhance diversity.
- Q: How can organizations improve their diversity?
- A: By actively recruiting from diverse talent pools and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
Conclusion
The findings from this report highlight a critical need for action within UK environmental organizations to improve racial diversity. As these institutions continue to address climate change issues, it is vital that they also reflect the communities most affected by environmental crises.