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Top 5 Environmental Consulting Companies
Whenever we hear someone refer to their job title as a consultant, it’s easy to get confused – as it could mean many different things, such as being an engineer to providing services in environmental consulting.
Consulting refers to experts who can offer individual research and solutions to help a business optimise their performance.
💡 Think of consultants as that one person who can solve a Rubik’s cube or the last few missing pieces of a puzzle: consultants are trained to offer specialised assistance to any organisation seeking their services.
Consultants may work in a wide variety of fields, such as in management, IT, marketing, HR, or even in the field of environmental consulting such as by engaging in supply chain management.
In this article, we’ll explain what environmental consulting is, the pros and cons, and our top 5 environmental consulting companies.
What is environmental consulting?
Environmental consulting refers to those who can provide expertise in managing various environmental issues, such as by helping to reduce the negative impact of industrialisation and helping to promote the importance of climate legislation.
💡 As a whole, environmental consultants often play a big part in helping companies to better manage their current environmental impact – in the same fashion that a tutor for school or a personal trainer at the gym can help individuals to achieve their full potential.
Environmental consulting typically includes firms in both the public sector and commercial organisations. However, it is important to note that many environmental consultants can be independent contractors and provide their services in an entrepreneurial fashion.
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Here are some of the daily tasks of being an environmental consultant:
- Overseeing current environmental policy
- Working to improve various management systems
- Conducting audits
- Encourage improved communication with suppliers
Here are some of the required skills required in order to working in environmental consulting:
- Ability to analyze dense data
- Exceptional communication skills
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or a relative field
- Certifications such as the certified environmental professional or the environmental professional in training
The differences between environmental consulting and traditional consulting include:
| Aspect | Environmental Consulting | Traditional Consulting |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Specialises in sustainability, environmental compliance, and risk management related to natural resources, pollution control, and ecosystem protection. | Generally focuses on business strategy, management, operational efficiency, and financial performance. |
| Industries Served | Primarily works with industries such as energy, construction, agriculture, and government sectors that impact the environment. | Broad range of industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and retail. |
| Regulation Expertise | Requires in-depth knowledge of environmental laws and regulations, including permits, compliance with EPA guidelines, and international environmental standards. | May include knowledge of industry-specific regulations but typically focuses on legal, operational, or financial regulations not necessarily related to environmental concerns. |
| Service Types | Includes environmental impact assessments, sustainability strategy, remediation, waste management, carbon footprint analysis, and climate change advisory. | Includes management consulting, strategy development, process optimisation, IT consulting, financial restructuring, and marketing strategies. |
| Client Goals | Helps organisations minimise environmental risks, achieve sustainability goals, and comply with environmental regulations. | Helps companies improve profitability, enhance operational efficiency, and drive business growth. |
| Typical Certifications | Environmental certifications such as ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), LEED, BREEAM, and carbon management qualifications. | Certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional), Six Sigma, or financial certifications such as CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). |
| Methodology | Relies on environmental science, engineering principles, fieldwork, data analysis, and regulatory compliance to offer solutions. | Relies on business analysis, market research, financial modeling, and corporate strategy frameworks to drive decisions. |
| Impact | Aims to protect the environment, reduce ecological footprints, and ensure sustainable use of resources. | Aims to improve business performance, market competitiveness, and shareholder value. |
👉Overall, the unique skills exercised in environmental consulting can allow those working in this field to help multiple companies across various industries to reduce their environmental impact and make a difference in the midst of global warming.
What is the job description for environmental consulting?
Working in environmental consulting includes conducting environmental assessments, facilitating greater communication with stakeholders and suppliers, and guiding organisations in risk management.
💡 No two projects assigned in environmental consulting are bound to be alike, often making the job a challenge and a fitting role for those who do not like to be bored by the ins-and-outs of day-to-day corporate life.
As companies around the world begin to shift to more sustainable business practices, the demand for environmental consultants is bound to increase – as environmental consulting can help companies to not only reach their environmental targets, but exceed them.
Here is a typical job consultant for those applying for a role in environmental consulting:
- Ability to provide exceptional insight regarding various environmental concerns
- Evaluate environmental data gathered to form models and develop sustainability goals
- Conduct risk management assessments to determine the current environmental impact of an organisation
- Clear communication skills to share research and subsequent decisions productively
- Monitor and manage ongoing sustainability initiatives and projects
- Research potential uses of renewable energy to avoid current energy crises within companies
- Develop models identifying areas to expose energy inefficiency and other less-than-ideal business practices
- Write company environmental policies to align with current industry and local regulations
- Ensure compliance with local government and industry regulations.
- Foster competent relationships with influential environmental stakeholders
👉 The demand for environmental consulting is set to increase, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted that careers in environmental science and consulting are bound to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032 – giving environmental consulting an average growth rate 3% higher on average in comparison to other careers.
What are the pros and cons of environmental consulting?
There are several pros and cons to working in environmental consulting, such as fostering a strong network of connections and helping to improve environmental circumstances – but working as an environmental consultant can also mean long hours and demanding deadlines.
The pros of working in environmental consulting include:
- Strong Network of Connections – Due to the nature of their work, environmental consultants are bound to develop several cross-industries connections – which could prove helpful if they ever decide to leave their firm and pursue a career as an independent contractor.
- Diverse Opportunities & Mental Stimulation – Environmental consultants have the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of fields, such as agriculture, energy, and construction. This means that it’s easier to switch up your projects, day-to-day work routine, and avoid boredom or job fatigue.
- Creating a Positive Environmental Impact – Those who work in environmental consulting can often rest easy at night knowing that their job is helping to make a difference in the push towards sustainability and mitigating climate change.
- Growing Demand – As environmental consulting continues to be one of the fastest growing jobs on the market, it is likely that there will be job security for those who choose to work in environmental consulting – alongside various opportunities for career growth.
The cons of working in environmental consulting include:
- Long Hours – Just as a traditional consultant, environmental consulting can entail long hours as any time spent researching, developing environmental policies, or plans to improve energy efficiency means that your time is billable. More often than not, environmental consultants may find themselves working beyond traditional 9 to 5 hours.
- Stressful Work Environment – Becoming an environmental consultant isn’t suitable for those who want a more relaxing lifestyle, as this job will always require your utmost attention to detail and passion to ensuring your clients are able to meet and exceed their environmental goals.
- Constant Travel – While it may be fun at first, environmental consultants will often be asked to travel on site for the project at hand – which can involve even more long hours and extended time away from family and friends.
- Managing & Multitasking Various Projects – An environmental consultant could have one project in Brazil and another in Canada, making it at times confusing to keep track of the different projects and regulatory requirements in each country.
👉 Environmental consulting can be a rewarding career, but it can also come with some challenges such as time constraints and tight deadlines – both of which can take a toll on an environmental consultants’ personal life.
Our top 5 environmental consulting companies
Choosing both a reputable and eco-friendly consulting firm can be a challenge, but we’ve put the work to rest by choosing our top 5 environmental consulting companies below.
AECOM
AECOM has proved themselves to be a global leader for environmental consulting, as they offer a wide variety of environmental consulting services such as:
- Environmental impact assessments
- Sustainability consulting
- Remediation
- Integrated solutions under environmental services
Operating as a Canadian-based environmental consulting firm in 22 offices around the world with location in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and even India – AECOM is well-known for their for its projects in infrastructure and their efforts to implement sustainable protocols with their clientele.
Jacobs Engineering Group
This engineering and environmental consulting firm operates worldwide to provide clients with expertise in sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience.
Jacobs Engineering Group can help your company with a wide variety of environmental consulting services, such as in:
- Energy
- Water
- Transportation
In addition to this, Jacobs Engineering Group has launched their Climate Response Center – which offers tailored solutions to sustainability issues and allows for improved environmental risk management.
Tetra Tech
Operating with over 550 offices worldwide, Tetra Tech is well positioned to help companies with the following:
- Advancing your ESG strategy
- Navigate compliance with environmental legislation
- Sustainable development
- Water resources
- Overall environmental management
💡 More specifically, Tetra Tech is most known for their environmental consulting services in renewable energy and environmental remediation.
McKinsey & Company
This worldwide consulting firm established back in 1962 has an overwhelming global presence – operating in over 130 cities across 65 countries.
While McKinsey & Company cannot be classified as a solely environmental consulting firm, they have made a substantial effort to expand their services in sustainability – such as by launching their own Sustainability Academy in 2022 to help clients work towards net-zero emission.
ERM (Environmental Resources Management)
Established back in 1971, ERM leads by example when it comes to providing environmental consulting services for EHS and other various sustainability consulting services.
With over 8,000 people working across 40 different countries, ERM has solidified themselves as a successful environmental consulting firm.
ERM can also help companies with:
- CSR
- Risk management
- Research for net-zero
In addition to this, ERM has spent up to $360,000 USD on ESG data and ratings – further demonstrating their commitment to being classified as an environmental consulting firm.
👉 Since environmental consulting is still a relatively new field, it can be challenging to decipher which companies are worth recruiting for their environmental services.
How to set apart a successful environmental consulting company from other consulting companies?
It can be confusing to decipher the difference between an environmental consulting company and a traditional one, but there are a few tell-tale signs – such as their reputation with handling regulatory requirements and client relationships.
💡 Becoming a successful consulting company is already a challenging, but becoming a reputable environmental consulting company can be even more challenging – seeing as these organisations will need to demonstrate a greater commitment to expertise and innovation in terms of the environment.
Here are a few ways to tell if an organisation is a successful environmental consulting company:
- Offer Specialised Services Related to Environmental Management – Environmental consulting companies should always offer unique services such as risk management assessment, renewable energy consultations, and efforts to improve your current carbon footprint. Organisations that hold an ISO 14001 or LEED certification can further demonstrate their capabilities to guide your company in environmental consulting.
- Prioritise Regulatory Services – A worthwhile environmental consulting company will always prioritise complying with current environmental regulations. If your consultant has an extended knowledge on environmental law and permitting processes, you can be sure they’re the real deal.
- Open to New Technologies – As environmental consultants are always on the search for new renewable energies, there will be a general sense of open mindedness in an environmental consulting company that may be missing from a more traditional consulting firm.
- Long-Term Plans for Environmental Reform – An environmental consulting firm will be more interested in developing a viable long-term plan for your company, such as by providing clear sustainability initiatives and encouraging their clients to engage in other efforts to “go green” such as by acquiring various certifications or implementing CSR.
- Globalisation – One of the best signs of an environmental consulting company is in their ability to operate worldwide. This is because successful global operations will depict if the company is able to navigate international protocols and environmental regulations with ease.
Overall, environmental consulting companies can make a stark difference in the environmental impact created by companies around the world – and we hope that our top 5 environmental consulting companies can help your business make a better decision for its future.
What About Greenly?
If reading this article about environmental consulting and our top 5 environmental consulting companies has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!
Making an effort to switch your company over to the values of a green business can be overwhelming, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help. Click here to schedule a demo to see how Greenly can help you find ways to improve energy efficiency and decrease the dependency on fossil fuels in your own company.
Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.
Click here to learn more about Greenly and how we can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
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