Need help with your sustainability and ESG strategy? With over 1,000 service providers in one place, you'll find the perfect fit for your business in record time.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by environmental regulations, unsure about where to start with sustainability, or struggling to meet stakeholder expectations, it might be time to bring in a sustainability consultant. Many businesses reach out when they need help developing clear sustainability strategies or implementing specific initiatives like emissions reduction, circulatory programs, sustainable packaging and waste reduction. You might also need a consultant if your business is expanding, developing new properties, or facing increased pressure from customers and investors about environmental practices. If you are affected by your local laws and regulations, mandatory climate reporting or commitments to governing bodies, a sustainability consultant can be particularly valuable when you need to navigate complex regulations or want to ensure your sustainability efforts are making a real impact.
Sustainability and ESG support services are professionals and expert advisors who can help your business become more environmentally and socially responsible. These services cover everything from reducing your carbon footprint to improving your governance practices. Think of them as your helping hand in navigating the complex world of sustainability. Whether you need help with emissions reduction, sustainable packaging, renewable energy, or ESG reporting, these services provide the expertise you need. They’re particularly valuable when you’re looking to make meaningful changes but aren’t sure where to start or how to achieve your goals effectively.
Finding the right sustainability support provider doesn’t have to be complicated. The best place to start is right here on Sustainability Tracker, we’ve got thousands of listing ready for you to take a look. Platforms like ours make it easy to browse different providers and compare their services. Professional networks and industry associations are also excellent resources for finding reliable service providers. Many of these organisations maintain directories of qualified sustainability professionals and can point you in the right direction based on your specific needs. Just like our sister company The Leaders in Sustainability Network, we have hundreds of vetted and verified experts in just about every field you can imagine.
Choosing the right sustainability service provider comes down to finding someone who understands your business and its unique challenges. Look for providers with proven experience in your industry and a track record of delivering practical results. Thirst party certifications are always a good indication that your chosen provider doesn’t just talk the talk, but they walk the walk. You could choose providers who are members of the UN Global Compact, Certified B Corporations, ISO certified, those who make formal contributions to charities like 1% for the planet and so much more. It’s worth having detailed conversations about their approach and methodology. The right provider should be able to explain complex sustainability concepts in clear, simple terms and show how they’ll help you achieve your specific goals. Plus, they should be able to identify very early if their standard fees are right for your business needs, size and budget. There are service providers suited to every different size of business, every different need and every different budget - don’t get caught up paying for something you don’t need.
In today’s climate, having expert sustainability support isn’t just nice to have – it’s becoming essential. These services help you navigate complex regulations, meet customer expectations, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. The sustainability and ESG landscape is constantly evolving and globally regulations are changing, advancing and becoming stricter everyday. It’s important to work with experts who understand how that impacts your business and what laws, regulations and reporting standards are relevant to you and your business. Not only can sustainability consultants and ESG service providers help you reduce your environmental footprint, they can help you identify opportunities to reduce costs while improving your environmental impact. Whether it’s through better energy efficiency, waste reduction, or innovative sustainable practices, these services can help your business thrive while making a positive difference. Be sure to ask your consultant about their experience in managing budgets, costs and efficiencies as part of your strategy. Sustainability shouldn’t be a hard cost to your business, it should be an investment in the future health, stability and growth of your business.
Getting help with your sustainability strategy starts with understanding where you are and where you want to go. Begin by thinking about your current challenges and what you’d like to achieve. This will help you have more productive conversations with potential service providers. If you’re not sure, you can reach out to our customer service team directly and we’ll connect you with the best providers in our network that suit your needs and budget. You’ll probably need to start with a materiality assessment (that basically means answering the questions ‘what are my biggest sustainability risks?’ and ‘what are the biggest sustainability opportunities?’). Most sustainability consultants and service providers will provide a free consultation to determine if they are a good fit for you, at that point you’ll generally get an indication of what your biggest risk/opportunity areas are based on the type of business you run. Once you find the right support or expert advisor you’ll work together to develop a practical, achievable plan. They’ll work with you to create a strategy that aligns with your business goals while making a meaningful environmental and social impact.
Finding the right sustainability consultant is about matching expertise with your specific needs. Start by exploring specialist sustainability platforms that connect businesses with qualified consultants just like this one! You’ll find thousands of profiled companies ready to support your sustainability plan. Don’t hesitate to reach out for initial conversations with potential consultants. These discussions can help you gauge their understanding of your industry and challenges, their communication style, and whether they’re the right fit for your business. The best consultant will be someone who not only has the right expertise but also aligns with your company’s values and way of working.
When choosing a sustainability consultant, it’s important to have an open conversation about their experience and approach. Ask about their work with similar businesses in your industry and request examples of projects they’ve completed. Understanding their track record helps ensure they have relevant expertise for your needs. You’ll need to work effectively with your sustainability consultant. Ensure you fully understand whether they will work with you in-person, remotely or a hybrid of the two. If you feel more comfortable being able to have regular meetings, you’ll want to ensure you haven’t engaged a provider who is based internationally. Discuss their methodology for developing and implementing sustainability strategies. A good consultant should clearly explain how they’ll assess your current situation, set achievable goals, and measure progress. They’ll also make clear which responsibilities are theirs and which are yours. There is a lot of work involved in implementing a sustainability program and plenty of that work is required by the client. Don’t expect you can hand it all over and job done. You’ll need to provide a lot of information and work closely hand-in-hand. Ask about their credentials and how they stay current with sustainability regulations and best practices. It’s also worth discussing their communication style and how they’ll engage with your team. The right consultant should be able to explain complex sustainability concepts in ways that make sense for your business and help bring your whole team along on the journey.
The cost of sustainability consulting varies widely depending on what you need. Some consultants charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $150 to $500 per hour in Australia. For specific projects like environmental audits or sustainability strategies, you might be looking at anywhere from $2,500 to $35,000 and up to $250,000 depending on teh size, scope and complexity of your business. The investment in sustainability consulting often pays for itself through improved efficiency, that’s why it is important to talk to your advisor about efficiencies and spend reductions as part of your strategy. Your sustainability strategy should not present a hard cost to the business, but an investment in the future health and prosperity of your business. Many businesses find that the expertise and guidance provided helps them avoid costly mistakes and identify opportunities for both environmental and financial benefits. Still not sure who to talk to? Register to speak with one of our team members or send us a text message - we don’t provide sustainability services, but with just a few minutes of your time we’ll be able to help you find the right place to start, and it won’t cost you a cent to ask the question.
