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Job overview

Companies are increasingly looking to integrate sustainability into their business models and operations due to rising pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers.

As companies strive to set sustainability goals, publish annual reports, and identify, assess, and prioritise sustainability-related impacts, risks, and opportunities, sustainability consulting has become an increasingly critical service to support the sustainability transition for businesses. Consultants help to drive this change by working with businesses across a range of industries and sectors to understand and improve corporate sustainability performance.

What sustainability means in consulting

In consulting, sustainability is rarely treated as an abstract concept: it is framed around measurable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts, risks, and opportunities across an organization's entire value chain. Depending on a project's scope, the work might focus on:

Ultimately, consulting translates these multifaceted sustainability issues into tangible operational changes, compliance strategies, and commercial value.

Case study

Sustainability Consultant at a global sustainability consultancy

What does a day in your life look like?

Sustainability consultants advise companies on embedding sustainability into their business model. Consulting is typically a project-based role. Depending on the consulting firm, a consultant may be assigned to multiple projects in a variety of industries and sectors at once, or one project that they devote the majority of their time to. Projects may vary in terms of length, spanning from one week to multiple years. Depending on the project, no one day will be the same. Tasks may include:

  • Collaborating with team members to create a PowerPoint presentation on strategies for sustainable value creation
  • Conducting desktop research on the latest sustainability trends and regulations
  • Writing annual sustainability reports aligned to global sustainability reporting standards
  • Analysing large amounts of data, such as greenhouse gas emissions, in Excel

What kind of skills are most important in your line of work, and what are your top tips for how to develop them?

  • Being able to synthesise a lot of different information to come up with a consolidated viewpointThe world of sustainability moves so fast, clients find it valuable when you can provide relevant information in a succinct way.
  • Time managementYou will be required to work on different aspects of a project or even different projects simultaneously. Learn how to prioritise your time and always try to leave some buffer for when things do not go as planned.
  • CommunicationA lot of my work involves communicating technical concepts such as climate change risk to people who might not have the same technical background. Learning to adapt the way you communicate in a clear manner to achieve intended outcomes is very valuable!

Advice for young people looking to enter this field

  • Look to build your personal brand. Openly communicate what your own goals and interest areas are within the consultancy.
  • Network. This can start even before you join a company. Understanding career opportunities, and even just viewpoints on sustainability will be very valuable.
  • Read widely about the key sustainability issues and topics that the private and/or public sector across different geographies are focusing on. Sustainability is a field that moves very quickly and to do the job well you need to be able to stay on top of the latest trends.

For more insights from graduate sustainability consultants about what it is like working in the field, listen to two SustainaPod episodes featuring graduate consultants working in corporate sustainability and climate change risk.

Episode 1 on Spotify Episode 2 on Spotify

Taking the next steps

If you are an aspiring consultant exploring this space, use this practical framework to identify the sub-sector that aligns best with your strengths:

  1. Assess your analytical vs. commercial bias

    If you enjoy granular scientific data, physical environmental systems, spatial mapping (GIS), or engineering blueprints, prioritize technical consultancies.

    or

    If you prefer business strategy, economic modeling, organizational behavior, and presenting to executives, look toward management consultancy ESG practices.

  2. Identify your theme vs. generalist preference

    Decide whether you want to build deep subject expertise in one industry (such as renewable energy finance or sustainable agriculture) or experience diverse cross-sector assignments through a generalist corporate sustainability practice.

  3. Audit job descriptions for daily deliverables

    Look beyond company prestige. Check the specific tasks listed in junior job descriptions: are they asking for

    “GHG Protocol emissions calculation and LCA software” (technical)

    or

    “slide deck synthesis, stakeholder workshop facilitation, and materiality assessments” (strategic)?