How I Got a Climate Risk Job in Dubai After 40 with the GARP SCR Certification – A Real Career Pivot Story
How I Built a Global Career in Climate Risk at 43 After Earning My SCR Certification At 43, most people hesitate to change careers. But for me, earning the SCR Certification (Sustainability and Climate Risk) from GARP became the launchpad for something bigger. After two decades with institutions like RBI, SBI, PNB, and Tata Steel, I felt stuck. That’s when I decided to explore the rising world of climate risk. With expert mentoring from Deepak Goyal Sir at RBei Classes, I cleared the SCR exam and everything changed. Today, I work in Dubai as a Sustainability Risk Consultant at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). I also advise startups and banks across the European Union on climate risk and ESG strategies. Here’s my journey—and how SCR Certification unlocked international doors. My Pre-SCR Background – 20+ Years in Indian Finance Sector For more than 20 years, I had a rewarding career in India’s banking and corporate finance sector. I began as a junior analyst at the Reserve Bank of India, then moved through SBI and PNB, handling credit, risk, and treasury roles. Eventually, I joined Tata Steel, managing risk reporting and investment monitoring. Despite this experience, I started noticing a shift in the industry. Global institutions were rapidly integrating climate risk and ESG disclosures into their frameworks. Yet, I had no formal exposure to these subjects. I realized: the future of risk management was sustainability risk, and I had to catch up—fast. Why I Chose the SCR Certification at 43 By 2023, it was clear that traditional risk roles were evolving. Banks, insurers, asset managers—all were looking for talent in climate risk management. I came across the Climate Risk Certification by GARP, known globally as SCR. It promised exactly what I needed: deep, practical understanding of climate-related financial risks. But I knew self-study wouldn’t work. That’s when I joined RBei Classes and started learning from Deepak Goyal Sir, whose teaching style blends textbook concepts with real-world relevance. And that decision became the turning point of my career. RBei Classes – Coaching That Goes Beyond the Syllabus The coaching at RBei was unlike anything I had experienced. It wasn’t just about passing the SCR exam—it was about becoming a practitioner. We studied climate risk modeling, regulatory frameworks, and real case studies from European banks, RBI, and Asian Development Bank. Deepak Sir shared actual green bond term sheets, TCFD-aligned disclosures, and NGFS transition scenarios. His mock exams were almost identical to GARP’s real test structure. Most importantly, he mentored me on how to position myself as a senior candidate aiming for international roles. How the SCR Certification Opened Global Doors for Me After passing the SCR exam in November 2024, I added the credential to my LinkedIn. Within three months, I received an interview call from First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)—a top bank in the Middle East actively building its ESG team. They were hiring a Sustainability Risk Consultant for their Wholesale Banking Division. My combination of Indian risk experience and fresh SCR knowledge gave me a strong edge. In March 2025, I relocated to Dubai, joining FAB with a 55,000 AED/month package, housing, and full relocation benefits. My Role at First Abu Dhabi Bank – Real Impact in Climate Risk At FAB, I lead initiatives that truly make a difference: Designing and implementing ESG risk frameworks across corporate lending Advising clients in energy, shipping, and real estate on climate-linked disclosures Collaborating with risk, credit, and compliance teams to align with TCFD, ISSB, and EU Taxonomy Creating internal models for physical and transition risk scoring This isn’t just about policy—it’s about building a more sustainable financial system. Consulting European Clients – My Side Hustle Turned into Purpose Beyond my full-time job, I now consult for startups and mid-sized firms across Germany, France, and Netherlands—remotely via Zoom. They need help with: ESG KPI design Climate scenario planning Climate risk disclosures Thanks to the SCR Certification, I charge €200/hour for this consultancy—far more than my previous salary in India. The certification gave me not just technical skills, but global credibility. Why SCR is the Future – Especially for Mid & Senior-Level Professionals The world is moving fast toward net-zero and sustainability-linked finance. As a result: Banks and PSUs are creating ESG risk roles Insurers need climate risk modelers Consulting firms want sustainability advisors RBI and SEBI are mandating ESG disclosures In this landscape, the GARP SCR Certification becomes your gateway to global ESG roles, especially if you already have a finance or risk background. It fills the exact knowledge gap needed today. A Note to Fellow Professionals – It’s Never Too Late to Pivot If you’re over 40 and wondering whether it’s “too late” to upskill—trust me, it’s not. I was 43, had never studied climate science before, and didn’t even know what NGFS stood for. But with the right coaching at RBei Classes, I learned, passed, and built a second innings of my career. You don’t need to quit your job. Just give 6–8 hours a week with focused learning. If I could rebuild from scratch, you can too. The career after SCR is real—and full of international potential. Join the Next SCR Batch at RBei – Your Global Career Awaits If you’re serious about getting into climate risk jobs, don’t wait. Attend a free demo session by Deepak Goyal Sir New batch starting soon for Nov 2025 SCR Exam Personalized mentoring for Indian and international job roles Connect with alumni already placed in Dubai, Singapore, and EU ESG teams 1. What kind of job opportunities are available in Dubai after completing the GARP SCR Certification? After completing the GARP SCR Certification, professionals can apply for high-demand climate risk and sustainability roles in Dubai. Top banks and financial institutions in the UAE are rapidly expanding their ESG and climate risk frameworks, creating opportunities such as: Sustainability Risk Consultant ESG Risk Analyst Climate Risk Officer Sustainable Finance Associate Risk Manager – Green Finance Dubai’s banking and corporate sector is hiring SCR-certified professionals to align with