Environmental Consulting: How does this service help organizations?
Environmental consulting helps businesses, organizations, or communities improve their environmental impact. We identify problems, propose solutions, and support the implementation of resulting actions. Since “environmental impact” is a broad term, environmental consultants operate in many different ways, drawing on a wide range of expertise.
In this article, we will describe the various areas of expertise used by the environmental consulting firms. If you are looking for ways to improve your business or are curious about the profession of environmental consulting, what follows will help you identify the service that best suits your business or the specialization that might inspire you to join the field.
The Three Stages of an Environmental Consulting Intervention
Understand, Plan, Act.
Understand:
This stage involves analyzing the current situation of the organization. It takes into account the organization’s needs and addresses them while adapting to an ever-changing world.
Example: Company X wants to reduce its environmental impact. By the end of this stage, it will have quantified and compared its impact, understood precisely why it needs to act, and why its environmental impact matters.
Plan:
Once the starting situation is understood, it becomes possible to plan informed actions to implement.
Example: After planning the actions, Company X will now know what steps to take to reduce its environmental impact.
Act:
Time for action. Here, the goal of environmental consulting is to guide the organization in implementing the actions identified in the previous phase.
Example: Company X knows which actions to take, but how can it implement them without compromising its sustainability? This stage is actually the most important, as it enables Company X to take concrete steps and reduce its environmental impact.
Skills and Services Used by Environmental Consulting Firms at Each Stage
Understanding Impact: The Analytical Environmental Consulting
Carbon Audit and Footprint
A carbon audit or carbon footprint allows companies to measure and quantify their greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis helps clearly identify which scopes, departments, or sectors account for the largest share of a company’s emissions.
When to choose this service?
- When you start becoming interested in your environmental impact and want to conduct your first carbon footprint.
- When you need to meet regulatory requirements.
- When you want to respond to demands from clients or investors seeking greater transparency.
- When promoting your environmental impact, a carbon footprint is essential to avoid greenwashing.
If you want to learn more about carbon footprints, here is the complete 2025 guide that might interest you.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you’re ready to discuss environmental impact with companies looking to get started, and you’re not afraid of numbers, this job is likely for you. It combines scientific rigor with teaching skills, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy interacting with others and working with data.
Regulatory Compliance
Environmental consulting can help businesses comply with the regulations in their industry. With environmental laws becoming increasingly numerous, it is crucial for companies to stay up-to-date and comply to avoid issues. It is highly likely that environmental consultants will need to conduct a carbon audit of your activities to meet carbon reporting standards.
When to choose this service?
- When your business operates in a market with significant environmental regulations (transport, energy, etc.).
- When you plan to expand internationally or into regions with stricter environmental standards (CSRD in Europe, NCID 1 and 2 in Canada, etc.).
- When you want to communicate the environmental benefits of your products or services.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you are meticulous and reassuring, enjoy legal challenges, and want to help businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes, this job is for you. You’ll need to stay continuously updated on new laws and standards to provide quick solutions to companies.
Market Analysis and Benchmarking
Comparing the environmental performance of a company with its competitors and identifying best practices.
When to choose this service?
- When your company wants to position itself as an environmental leader.
- When you sell eco-friendly products or services and want to compare your efforts with competitors.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you are curious, enjoy studying trends, and have a strategic mindset, this specialization allows you to combine data analysis with business strategy. It’s an ideal career for ambitious individuals who thrive in the corporate world and aren’t afraid to convince stakeholders. This specialization is often paired with marketing or business development skills.
These services from the “Understand” phase are essential for any company looking to begin its ecological transition. Whether it’s measuring its impact, complying with laws, or drawing inspiration from market best practices, these steps lay a solid foundation for future actions.
Planning Actions: The Strategic Environmental Consulting
Environmental Strategy
Environmental consulting helps build a detailed action plan to implement. These actions are quantified and prioritized by importance. The goal is to leave with a concrete list of actions that will have the maximum impact on both cost savings and the environmental footprint of an organization.
When to choose this expertise?
- After completing a carbon footprint assessment.
- When you need to align your environmental goals with your commercial and financial objectives.
- When your company is ready to start its ecological transition.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you have a long-term vision, enjoy creating plans, and want to have a significant impact on a company’s direction, this job is for you. It combines creativity and pragmatism to turn environmental goals into concrete actions.
Risk Management
Climate change has a significant impact on today’s businesses, as well as those of the future. Taking this into account is essential if you want to sustain your operations in the coming decades. Environmental consulting specializing in risk management helps identify, assess, and mitigate environmental risks while preparing your business for the impacts of climate change (e.g., droughts, floods, rising energy costs, etc.).
“54% of the most critical global risks over the next 10 years are linked to climate change.”
World Economic Forum (WEF), 2023
When to choose this expertise?
- When the sector your company operates in is affected by climate change (agriculture, real estate, etc.).
- Before investing in projects or infrastructure, to assess how the investment will evolve in a changing world.
- Generally, if your company wants to sustain its operations in the coming decades.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you’re proactive, familiar with the IPCC reports, and enjoy anticipating problems, this job is for you. It offers the opportunity to protect businesses while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Certification Support
Environmental consulting can also assist in the process of obtaining eco-responsible certifications for businesses (B-Corp, Fairtrade, LEED, etc.).
When to choose this expertise?
- Before responding to tenders to differentiate your company.
- When your company wants to strengthen its credibility with clients, investors, or partners.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you’re organized, enjoy technical challenges, and want to help companies gain recognition for their environmental efforts, this job is for you. Note that this specialization alone often requires working for a highly specialized firm, which is rare. We recommend also learning how to conduct carbon footprint assessments, often required for certifications, to offer end-to-end support.
These services from the “Plan” phase are essential for turning intentions into concrete actions. Whether it’s developing a strategy, managing risks, or obtaining certifications, these steps help structure and legitimize your company’s environmental efforts.
Act: The Operational Environmental Consulting
Environmental Project Management
The goal of this service is to oversee, coordinate, and implement the actions identified earlier. The environmental project management also ensures that deadlines and budgets set during the environmental strategy phase are respected.
When to choose this service?
- When you’ve established a list of actions to reduce your impact.
- When your company launches a complex environmental project (e.g., installing solar panels, transitioning to a green supply chain, etc.).
- When you want to reduce operational costs through better resource management.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you’re organized, thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy coordinating teams, and want to see projects through to completion, this job is for you. It combines management and sustainability, ensuring environmental initiatives are successfully executed. This specialization allows you to work on the ground and see the immediate impact of your actions.
Awareness and Training
Environmental consultants may also work with employees and stakeholders to raise awareness and train them on environmental best practices. This helps integrate sustainability into the company culture. Tools like the Climate Fresk or Carbon Footprint Fresk are often used to engage teams interactively.
When to use this service?
- When your company wants to involve employees in its ecological transition.
- Before launching new environmental initiatives to ensure team adoption.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you’re a natural educator, enjoy sharing knowledge, and want to influence mindsets and behaviors, this job is for you. It offers the opportunity to change practices by training and inspiring teams.
Monitoring and Optimization
It’s important to track the outcomes of actions to continuously improve the company and address issues. Sometimes, environmental consulting replaces underperforming actions with more effective ones in subsequent years.
When to use this service?
- When you’ve implemented actions without a prior strategy or carbon footprint assessment.
- A few months/years after implementing actions, depending on the project’s scale.
- If an action doesn’t deliver the expected results.
Why would I enjoy this specialization?
If you’re analytical, enjoy interpreting data, and want to help companies measure the impact of their actions, this job is for you. It combines analysis and advisory skills. Note that this specialization is often paired with another, as improving existing initiatives often requires knowledge of how to implement new ones.
All the services in the “Act” phase aim to successfully implement the actions identified in the previous phase. Project management is therefore at the heart of this phase, supporting businesses in their day-to-day operations.
Conclusion:
To Discover a Career:
In general, if you’re an optimist who has no choice but to change the world, whether it’s ready or not, and you want to bring meaning to every action you take, then a career in environmental consulting will appeal to you.
We’ve covered the main specializations of environmental consulting, but it’s important to note that they also operate in many other sectors (innovation, marketing, communication, etc.). The environment will be THE biggest factor impacting businesses in the coming years, so it’s natural that the importance of this profession extends beyond traditional sectors.
Each specialization of environmental consulting caters to different aspirations and skill sets. Whether you’re drawn to analysis, strategy, on-the-ground action, or innovation, there’s an environmental career that aligns with your talents and passions. If you need support or additional information about your professional future in this field, feel free to contact us at: contact@sustainscale.com.
For Your Business:
Do you own a business? Are you tired of following tech giants or marketing monsters? Are you wondering if you’ll still exist in 10 years, or if your market will keep up? By developing strong environmental values, you’ll stand out from the competition. By taking action for the environment, you’ll take control of your company’s future. And by leading by example, you’ll become a positive leader who influences your entire sector.
If you’re unsure where to start, you can send us an email. We’ll guide you on the steps to take to begin your journey.
FAQ:
There are various educational paths to become an environmental consultant:
There are various educational paths to become an environmental consultant:
Geographer (and many others)
Engineering: This is one of the best routes to enter the field. If you’re truly interested, we recommend specializing early (e.g., environmental engineering, energy and sustainable development, sustainable civil engineering and urban planning, etc.), depending on the options available in your geographic area.
While engineers are highly sought after in this field due to their versatility, nothing stops you from standing out by specializing early. Combining a core profession with one of the specializations mentioned above will clarify your value to businesses, which will likely interest recruiters.
- Analyst
- Lawyer or legal expert in environmental law
- Chemist or biologist
- Economist
When should I work with environmental consulting?
If you lack the internal expertise and want to reduce your company’s environmental impact while ensuring its long-term sustainability.
What are the best ways to enter the field after graduation?
Several options are available, but in our opinion, the best way to break into the field is through specialization. Of course, experience in companies or ecological NGOs is very important, but if you self-train to perfectly address specific problems businesses face, you’ll make it easier to integrate into the field. If you have questions about your career path, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can help you choose a future that suits you.
How can an environmental consulting help a company comply with environmental regulations?
Environmental consulting can help businesses understand and comply with current environmental laws, conduct carbon footprint assessments, and prepare companies for international markets with stricter standards.
How can an environmental consulting assist in implementing environmental projects?
A consultant can oversee, coordinate, and implement identified actions, ensure deadlines and budgets are respected, and train employees to integrate sustainability into the company culture.
Sustainscale: The All-in-One Environmental Consulting
It can sometimes be challenging to identify which phase your company is in. It’s even common to encounter businesses that overlap between different stages. Sustainscale, with its cross-disciplinary expertise, can guide you on the steps to prioritize for your business.
