Betriebswirt/Betriebswirtin (Hochschule) für Umweltökonomie

Key media sources in this field include BFuP - Betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung und Praxis, biooekonomie.de, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE): Energiewende, Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie Weiterentwicklung 2025, Die Entwicklung von EMAS in Deutschland, Ecological Economics, Klimaschutz durch digitale Technologien - Chancen und Risiken, Nachhaltigkeits Management Forum / Sustainability Management Forum, Ökologisches Wirtschaften, SBUR Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, UmweltbeauftragteR, Umweltwirtschaft, wiwi-online - Der Begleitfaden für Studium & Karriere, ZfU Zeitschrift für Umweltpolitik & Umweltrecht, and ZUR - Zeitschrift für Umweltrecht.

The digital circular economy is a more sustainable alternative to the linear production chain. Actors in the value chain network to manage energy and resources as efficiently as possible. Digitalization enables the use and exchange of data, forming the basis for the circular economy. It can also help optimize processes and products and reduce resource consumption. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, Big Data, or Digital Twins are employed. Specialists and managers must address relevant investment decisions or prepare for new technologies through further training.

The following interests are important and helpful for success in this academic profession. The interests are listed in order of their importance. Activities are mentioned for illustration for each area of interest. Interest in commercial-organizational activities, for example, creating business administration concepts to reduce empty truck runs, or planning the integration of environmental economic concepts and activities into economic processes. Interest in administrative-organizational activities, for example, documenting the success of environmental protection measures.

Business economists for environmental economics primarily work in offices and meeting rooms. Additionally, they may also work in production and storage halls, in a home office, or mobile, as required.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during the Studium (university studies) include: Business administration, controlling, corporate social responsibility management, cost and performance accounting, developing material and resource efficiency concepts, sustainability consulting, sustainability reporting, life cycle assessment, environmental information systems, environmental management, environmental management systems, environmental economics, environmental law, and environmental technology. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: Occupational safety, accident prevention, bookkeeping, accounting, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), purchasing, procurement, developing energy efficiency concepts, energy management, financial management, water protection, green marketing, groundwater protection, immission control, immission control law, climate protection management, noise protection, public relations, ecology, human resources, quality management, environmental audit, environmental consulting, environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental impact assessment, environmental sciences, sales, and water law.

The advancing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For business economists specializing in environmental economics, opportunities may arise to engage with the following technologies, processes, or systems: Augmented Analytics (e.g., using automatically cleaned data to analyze a company's energy consumption), Business Intelligence - BI (e.g., preparing operational and strategic decisions regarding environmental compatibility with the help of automatically analyzed data and the insights gained), Connected Buildings (e.g., deciding on the use of networked building technology to reduce energy consumption), Demand-Side-Management (e.g., accompanying the introduction of systems for controlling electricity demand by targeted switching on and off of loads for industrial companies), Digital Recyclable Material and Waste Management (e.g., the introduction of networked recycling software).

Business economists for environmental economics plan, organize, and monitor concepts for environmentally sound economic actions. When leading a team, they motivate their employees and coordinate their collaboration, drawing on their communication skills. They apply their analytical and organizational abilities when, for example, conducting environmental cost accounting and profitability analyses, evaluating economic and ecological facts, or optimizing operational processes. To achieve good negotiation results, they professionally use their negotiation skills in customer discussions. They primarily work in an office at a desk, where they perform business administration and organizational tasks, but also operate in meeting rooms.

Business economists for environmental economics can become self-employed, for example, as management consultants or environmental consultants.

Example gross basic collective wage in the public service sector (monthly): €5,279 to €6,594. Example gross basic collective wage in the commercial economy sector (monthly): €3,385 to €3,893. Sources: Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD), Tariff Collection of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs. Please note: This information is for orientation only. No claims can be derived from it.

Architecture, construction planning (architectural offices for local, regional, and state planning). Engineering services (engineering offices for structural overall planning of engineering structures and transport facilities). Other services for businesses and private households (provision of other economic services for businesses and private individuals not elsewhere classified, e.g., consulting offices for environmental protection). Public administration (general public administration, e.g., municipal utility companies; public administration for environmental and nature protection, e.g., environmental agencies). Economic promotion, regulation, and supervision (economic and employer associations, trade unions). Energy supply (electricity supply, especially energy saving and 'green' energy).

Those wishing to work in this profession typically need a completed undergraduate (grundständig) degree in environmental economics. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a master's (Masterstudium) degree. Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

Energy, resource management (undergraduate); energy, resource management (postgraduate); sustainability management (undergraduate); sustainability management (postgraduate); water and soil management, water technology (undergraduate); water and soil management, water technology (postgraduate).

Environmental economists can find employment in architectural and engineering firms, environmental protection consulting firms, public administration (e.g., environmental agencies), business associations, and energy supply companies.

Job title: Business Economist (University of Applied Sciences) - Environmental Economics. Job title in English: Environmental economist (m/f). Job title in French: Economiste (m/f) en environnement.

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: willingness to perform and commit (e.g., willingness to actively and decisively develop and implement environmental economic concepts and activities), perseverance / determination (e.g., planning long-term investment projects for resource and environmental protection, and sticking to implementation despite temporary setbacks or short-term changed priorities), diligence (e.g., accurate and error-free execution of environmental cost accounting and economic feasibility studies), sense of responsibility and willingness to take responsibility (e.g., taking responsibility for the environmental compatibility of economic activities).

Environmental economists plan, organize, and monitor concepts for environmentally sound economic actions.

Earthworks-jobs.com, ENDSjobsearch, Environmentjob.co.uk, greenjobs.de, Jobs-IO, NachhaltigeJobs.de, Stellenmarkt-Umweltschutz.de, WILA-Arbeitsmarkt.

Bundesverband Deutscher Volks- und Betriebswirte e.V. (bdvb), Industriegewerkschaft Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt (IG BAU), Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung iöw, Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung (PIK) e.V., Umweltbundesamt (UBA).

This profession involves responsibility for people (e.g., guiding and leading employees), responsibility for material assets (e.g., conducting environmental cost accounting and economic feasibility studies for projects), and customer contact (e.g., advising customers on integration possibilities of economy and ecology). It also requires adherence to various regulations and legal requirements (e.g., environmental laws, ordinances, and directives at national and European levels). Screen work (performing analysis, conception, and planning tasks) and office work are also part of this profession.

Professional deployment opportunities are categorized by fields of activity: energy consulting, -management, climate protection manager, lecturing at universities, lecturer at universities and academies, study program coordinator, environmental consulting, -management, waste officer, waste consultant, ESG manager, environmental management officer, scientific research, research assistant, head of a research group, environmental scientist, scientific staff member.

Working materials include feasibility analyses, environmental economic concepts, operational key figures, technical documents, graphical representations, project plans, cost calculations, annual financial reports, expert opinions, statistics, environmental, health, and safety-related laws and regulations. Office equipment used includes PCs, internet access, and telephones.

Business economists for environmental economics plan, control, and monitor environmental economic concepts. They review the environmental compatibility of economic activities with regard to resource and environmental conservation. For ecological improvement, they analyze energy costs and design suitable concepts. For example, they calculate costs for a water recirculation system, compare implementation options, or weigh economic and ecological factors. They also examine new technologies, processes, materials, and workflows, as well as corresponding implementation processes.

Adaptive continuing education helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in the areas of operational environmental protection, environmental management, environmental law, energy-efficient construction). Furthermore, the trend towards digitalization in the circular economy can become an important continuing education topic for business economists in environmental economics.

Bachelor's graduates can expand their professional and career opportunities through further Studium (higher education studies), for example, in energy, resource management, sustainability management, or business administration. A doctorate is generally required for a scientific career at a university; to be appointed as a university professor, a Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Environmental economists identify the initial situation, analyze and evaluate economic and ecological facts. They develop innovative and practicable environmental economic concepts and plan the strategic positioning of economic actors in environmental management. They plan the integration of environmental economic concepts and activities into business processes, for example, for operational technologies, procedures, and materials. They conduct environmental cost accounting and economic feasibility studies for projects, estimating timelines, costs, and benefits. They discuss concepts and adjust them if necessary. They accompany the implementation process of environmental economic concepts, coordinate or supervise sub-tasks, and monitor interim goals. They ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, laws, and provisions. They continuously review environmental protection measures and adapt them to circumstances. They perform success control and write the final report.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of environmental economist: In the field of energy consulting and management, an Energy Manager. Commonalities: planning, monitoring, and optimizing energy processes in companies or public buildings; preparing calculations for the profitability of energy-related investments; taking on public relations tasks. In the field of management and corporate leadership: Business Administrator (University) Corporate Management, Master of Business Administration, Business Administrator (University) Construction Economics, Industrial Engineer, Economist, Political Economist. Commonalities: planning, monitoring, and organizing business processes; supporting economic decision-making processes; negotiating with business partners and customers. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer induction period or additional training.

Environmental economists plan, organize, and monitor concepts for environmentally sound economic action. They design and manage environmental-ecological activities. The prejudice that environmental protection only causes costs has long been refuted: Long-term cost reductions can be achieved through reduced energy consumption, water recycling systems, or recycling. Furthermore, the future of human action cannot lie in the exploitation of nature. For this reason, the environmental sector has developed into a growth market. In public institutions, associations, consulting agencies, or with energy suppliers, business administrators analyze economic actions with regard to resource and environmental protection. They develop environmental management systems that aim to achieve ecological improvements in companies or organizations or even entire industries: for example, marketing and awareness campaigns.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this academic profession. Abilities: Numerical (computational) thinking (e.g., conducting economic feasibility studies using mathematical and statistical methods); Memory (e.g., memory for contact persons in authorities, companies, and associations); Adaptability (e.g., quick and frequent switching between conceptual, planning, or administrative activities and production monitoring under time pressure); Technical understanding (e.g., creating proposals for technical changes to reduce waste); Commercial aptitude (e.g., conducting environmental economic feasibility studies); Planning and organizational ability (e.g., planning and implementing concepts for environmentally sound economic action). Knowledge and Skills: Calculation skills (e.g., calculating savings potentials in energy consumption).

The exercise of the profession may involve the following physical requirements. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Undisturbed speech ability (e.g., discussing emission reduction concepts with decision-makers); Near vision - even corrected (e.g., performing analysis, conceptual, and planning work on screen); Hearing ability and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding inquiries about the promotion of energy-saving investments). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood in the sense of a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following professions or activities are listed that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. In addition, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a job in the original profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the original profession, others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following direct employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of environmental economist: For partial activities and professional applications (with/without induction): ESG Manager, Climate Protection Manager, Environmental Auditor, Environmental Management Officer. In related professions: Business Administrator (University) Sustainability.

The profession of Business Economist (University) for Environmental Economics is not regulated. To work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad, no professional recognition is necessary. However, there is the possibility to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications in the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany: Hotline Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland (central information hotline of the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)), Für Menschen aus dem Ausland (an information service of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit), Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Make it in Germany (the welcome portal of the skilled labor initiative for international skilled workers).

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing this profession. The information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Increasingly, there are also possibilities to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Speech disorder, speech impediment (e.g., discussing concepts for emission reduction with decision-makers); uncorrectable visual impairment for near vision (e.g., performing analysis, conception, and planning work on screen); hearing impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, auditory disorder, chronic ear conditions (e.g., understanding inquiries about the promotion of energy-saving investments). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and is not to be understood as a medical fitness assessment. The actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following alternative occupations are available for the profession of Business Economist (University) for Environmental Economics: In the field of Management, Corporate Management: Business Economist (University) for Corporate Management, Management, Master of Business Administration, Economist. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing business processes; supporting economic decision-making processes; negotiating with business partners and customers. In the field of Energy Consulting, -Management: Energy Manager. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and optimizing energy processes in companies or public buildings; performing calculations on the profitability of environmental or energy-economic investments; taking on public relations tasks. Note: The mentioned alternative occupations may require an induction period, which can vary in length on a case-by-case basis.