What is the EU Taxonomy?
1 min
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Discover the EU Taxonomy: what it is, how it defines sustainable activities, and its impact on businesses and financial markets.
ESG / CSR
Industries
MEASURE
ACT
COMFORM
Why is Environmental Consulting Booming?
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More and more companies are turning to environmental consulting – and not just because of regulatory pressure. Growing expectations from customers, investors, and employees are pushing businesses to take real, measurable action on sustainability. But making that shift isn’t easy. It requires specialized knowledge, strategic planning, and an understanding of evolving environmental standards – something most companies don’t have in-house.
“That’s where environmental consultants come in. From assessing compliance risks to designing climate strategies, they’re helping businesses not only meet environmental goals but unlock new opportunities in a changing world. And as the race to decarbonize continues, demand for this expertise is only growing.”
In this article, we’ll explore:
- What environmental consulting actually involves
- When and why the industry started gaining traction
- What’s driving the current boom
- The business and environmental benefits of consulting
- How companies like Greenly can support your sustainability goals
What is environmental consulting?
Environmental consulting is a broad field that covers a wide range of goals and services. At its core, it often involves helping organizations comply with environmental regulations, making sure they meet legal requirements and avoid potential risks. But it goes far beyond compliance. Environmental consultants also provide sustainability services, advising on issues like waste management, recycling, flood risk, protecting biodiversity, and the broader impacts of climate change.
“An environmental consultant can be summed up as a professional who helps reduce the environmental impact of an organization’s operations by using environmental data. Environmental consultants work across a wide spectrum, from carbon footprint modelling to decarbonization roadmaps and implementation planning.”
Consultants in this field work across many industries and often have different job titles, such as environmental field consultant, environmental project manager, environmental analyst, or sustainability advisor.
Just as the job titles vary, so do the areas of expertise. Some consultants focus on contaminated land, others on energy, carbon footprinting, flood risk, or environmental management systems. Specialisms can also include geotechnical investigations, green claims, feasibility studies, compliance strategy, asbestos management, and more, depending on the needs of the client and the nature of the project.
Common types of environmental consultants and their areas of expertise:
| Consultant type | Field of expertise |
|---|---|
|
Compliance consultant
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Ensures alignment with environmental regulations and legal obligations. |
|
Environmental impact assessor
|
Conducts baseline surveys and environmental studies to establish pre-development conditions for accurate impact assessments. |
|
Sustainability advisor
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Guides companies on sustainability strategies, carbon reduction, ESG goals, and the development of management plans for long-term implementation. |
|
Contaminated land specialist
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Investigates and manages polluted land and soil remediation, often working with landowners to assess risks and guide site restoration. |
|
Geotechnical/environmental engineer
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Provides structural and environmental analysis of ground conditions and offers planning advice for environmentally sensitive developments. |
|
Flood risk consultant
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Assesses flood risks and recommends mitigation strategies. |
|
Carbon footprint consultant
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Calculates emissions and supports decarbonization planning, such as renewable energy projects. |
|
Waste and recycling consultant
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Designs waste management systems and recycling strategies. |
|
Asbestos and hazardous materials expert
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Identifies and manages hazardous substances in buildings or sites. |
|
Green claims and communications advisor
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Supports accurate environmental claims and marketing communication strategies. |
|
Design-phase sustainability consultant
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Advises during the design process of construction projects, products, or infrastructure to minimize environmental impact from the outset. |
Note: While these roles highlight different areas of expertise, it’s worth noting that environmental consultants often work across multiple specialities. For example, a consultant involved in carbon footprinting may also have extensive experience in strategic planning advice or contribute to impact assessments. Their skill sets are typically broad and adaptable, depending on the needs of the client and the stage of the project.
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When did environmental consulting emerge?
Environmental consultancy is a specialty that started to emerge in the late 1980s and 1990s. In the decades prior to this, companies were subject to very little, if any, regulations when it came to environmental issues. Hazardous waste was simply dumped in the landfill, and pollution wasn’t really of concern.
Slowly, scientists and other professionals began to speak out about the effects of unregulated industries and called for regulations and guidelines to better protect the environment. This led to the realisation across many industries that more needed to be done to help manage their impact.
Environmental consultants helped to fulfil this need and began to provide services to different organizations, advising on how they could operate in a more sustainable fashion and reduce their pollution and waste.
Why is environmental consulting booming?
“Environmental consulting was once a niche field, but it has grown steadily over the past few decades, and is now experiencing a surge in demand. Between 2016 and 2021, the industry saw growth of just over 2%. That figure is expected to jump to 10% by 2026.”
So what’s driving this momentum?
Rising regulatory pressure
Governments are introducing stricter regulations requiring companies to take accountability for their emissions and overall environmental footprint.
In the EU, for example, the CSRD and SFDR demand detailed sustainability disclosures — pushing companies to demonstrate transparency and environmental responsibility.
Stakeholder expectations
Customers, investors, and employees expect higher environmental standards and greater social value from businesses.
Failing to meet expectations can lead to reputational damage, lost investor confidence, and challenges in attracting top talent.
Strategic transformation
Sustainability is now core to business strategy and tied to broader goals like ESG and climate risk management.
Boards are setting carbon targets and embedding sustainability across operations — requiring expertise that goes beyond compliance.
Mainstream investment
Top consulting firms like BCG and McKinsey are investing heavily in environmental services, signalling major market growth.
This shift reflects growing recognition that sustainability is key to long-term business success — not just a niche concern.
Widening expertise gap
Many companies lack the in-house knowledge to address complex environmental challenges and evolving policies.
Environmental consultants provide the insight and cross-functional expertise needed to drive meaningful change.
What are the advantages of environmental consulting?
Environmental consulting doesn’t just help companies meet their sustainability goals – it also brings a range of business, environmental, and societal benefits. Here’s why it matters:
⚖️
It reduces business risk
Companies that ignore environmental concerns expose themselves to legal, regulatory, and reputational risks. Environmental consultants help identify these risks early and guide businesses in putting safeguards in place, from compliance to cleaner operations.
🏆
It offers a competitive edge
More and more consumers are actively seeking out sustainable brands. Companies that adopt greener practices and communicate their efforts effectively can stand out in the market and strengthen their brand loyalty.
📈
It unlocks opportunity
The green transition is also a business opportunity. According to McKinsey, an estimated $9.2 trillion in annual investment is needed to reach global net-zero goals. Businesses that embrace sustainability early can tap into new markets, technologies, and revenue streams.
🏘️
It benefits communities
Consultants often work on projects that directly improve environmental and public health, such as land remediation, pollution prevention, or safe building assessments, and can help ensure developments meet environmental planning conditions. These interventions don’t just protect nature – they protect people, too.
📢
It builds environmental awareness
Consultants help businesses understand their impact and responsibilities. Even where regulations exist, they play a key role in turning obligations into action through staff education and public consultation that ensures both internal teams and local communities are informed and engaged.
🌍
It drives real environmental impact
Whether through emissions reductions, cleaner operations, impact assessments, baseline surveys, or risk assessments, the work of environmental consultants leads to measurable improvements for the planet.
📚
It helps define best practice
With regulations and technologies evolving quickly, consultants stay on top of the latest standards, helping businesses not only comply but also lead the way in setting new benchmarks for sustainable practice.
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How can companies get the most out of working with an environmental consultant?
Hiring an environmental consultant is a great first step, but getting real value depends on how you engage with them. Here are a few tips for making the most of the partnership:
- Be clear about your goals: Are you aiming to meet compliance requirements? Reduce emissions? Improve your sustainability reporting? Or ensure alignment with local planning authorities on development approvals and environmental assessments?
- Share accurate data: Consultants rely on data to assess your environmental impact and recommend meaningful actions. Be prepared to provide access to relevant internal information, from energy use to supply chain operations.
- Involve the right people internally: To embed sustainability across your organization, your consultant may need to collaborate with teams across operations, finance, HR, and more. Appoint internal points of contact to keep things moving smoothly.
- View it as a long-term journey: Environmental change takes time. The best outcomes come from long-term engagement, not just ticking a box for compliance.
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What about Greenly?
At Greenly, we offer more than just software - we’re a one-stop environmental sustainability partner. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale your efforts, we support clients as they turn climate ambition into measurable progress.
Here’s what we offer:
| What we offer | How it helps |
|---|---|
|
In-house climate experts
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Access personalized guidance from specialists who understand your industry and goals. |
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Dedicated support and training tools
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We don’t just give you data — we help your teams understand it through clear explanations and ongoing support. |
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Cost-effective solutions & strategies
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From carbon footprinting to reduction plans and reporting, we tailor everything to your business using an integrated approach that delivers real results. |
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Stakeholder engagement support
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Equip your team with the tools and insights needed to communicate sustainability efforts across both internal and external audiences. |
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Benchmarking & progress tracking
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See how your company compares to others in your sector and measure your sustainability progress over time. |
Ready to build a more sustainable future for your business? Get in touch with Greenly today to learn how we can support your journey.
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