A lack of diversity among staff and leaders continues to scar environmental charities and organisations, a report is warning.

Annual diversity benchmarking in the sector by campaign group RACE Report (Racial Action for the Climate Emergency) found that just 4.7% of staff surveyed last year identified as being a person of colour. This is the same proportion as among the 111 senior leaders that responded.

The figures are only up slightly on last year’s survey, where 4.5% of staff identified as a person of colour, and they are slightly down in terms of leadership, as the proportion last year was 4.8%.

The sector also continues to lag behind other sectors. Among the UK’s total working age population 16% of employees identify as being ‘non-white’.

This year’s survey involved 137 organisations, who employ more than 28,000 between them.

When those of colour and from ethnically minoritised groups are combined the figures are up but are still low. While in 2022 the proportion was 6.2% by 2025 it had risen to 8.4%.

Among those taking action to improve diversity the most common reported strategies were regular reviewing of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) activities, improving whistleblowing for those witnessing or experiencing racism at work, and having a senior leader in place with responsibility for EDI.

The least reported actions include publishing race equity pay figures and operating a mentor scheme for employees of colour and ethnically minoritised groups.

“The data submitted by participating organisations shows increased levels of action designed to progress equality, diversity and inclusion, with good practices becoming commonplace,” say RACE Report researchers.

“We know the positive impact of this action will take time to be reflected in the diversity data collected. We must continue to progress substantial and widespread actions to ensure organisations’ diversity is reflective of the broader picture across the UK's population.”

---