Key Highlights

• Finding the Right Sustainability Consultants is Crucial – Businesses need expert guidance to understand ESG regulations, carbon tracking, and sustainability challenges.
• Sustainability Data Drives Transformation – Reliable, data-driven insights help companies meet sustainability goals and adapt to evolving market demands.
• Top UK Consultancies Offer Proven Expertise – Discover the five best sustainability consultancies in the UK, helping businesses implement impactful and responsible practices.

With climate change intensifying due to human activities, customers are rethinking their expectations of businesses—especially those with high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

They now demand that companies operate responsibly, minimizing harm to the environment and conserving natural resources. Businesses, regardless of size, must adapt to these growing expectations. Those that fail to evolve risk being left behind.

The Big Question: How Can Businesses Meet Sustainability Expectations?

The key lies in sustainability data. Reliable data, backed by credible industry insights, plays an increasingly important role in sustainable transformation. However, few companies invest in high-quality sustainability data, making it difficult to find trustworthy providers.

That’s where expert guidance comes in. Businesses need experienced sustainability consultants to understand evolving regulations, industry trends, and best practices. To simplify this process, we’ve created the ESG Marketplace—a platform featuring top ESG providers offering a wide choice of sustainability and governance services. With the right support, businesses can focus on growth without worrying about compliance and sustainability challenges.

READ MORE: What Is Greenwashing? Top Examples You Need To Know

The UK is a thriving hub for sustainability. However, businesses there face challenges, including supply chain issues, carbon emissions tracking, regulatory compliance, and a shortage of green expertise. To address these issues, organizations need expert insights on renewable energy, waste management, ESG reporting, and more.

What is a Sustainability Consultant?

A sustainability consultant is a professional who helps businesses, governments, and organizations develop and implement strategies to reduce their environmental impact, improve corporate social responsibility (CSR), and meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. These experts provide guidance on carbon footprint reduction, sustainable supply chains, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance, ensuring organizations align with sustainability best practices.

Sustainability consultants specialize in areas such as net-zero strategies, circular economy practices, climate risk assessment, and ESG reporting. They work across industries, advising companies on how to integrate green business solutions, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and adopt renewable energy sources. With expertise in global sustainability frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), they help organizations stay compliant and competitive in an evolving market.

As demand for ESG consultants, carbon management experts, and environmental consultants continues to grow, businesses increasingly rely on these professionals to future-proof their operations, enhance sustainability reporting, and improve stakeholder engagement. Partnering with the right sustainability consultant can drive meaningful change, ensuring long-term success in a rapidly shifting sustainability landscape.

Benefits of Hiring a Sustainability Consulting Firm in the UK

Partnering with a sustainability consultancy offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance an organization’s overall performance. Here are some key advantages:

• Improved Environmental Performance: Sustainability consultants help organizations reduce their carbon footprint, conserve natural resources, and minimize waste, leading to a more sustainable operation.
• Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can boost a business’s reputation, attracting customers and partners who value environmental responsibility.
• Cost Savings: Implementing sustainable practices often leads to reduced energy consumption, lower operational costs, and improved supply chain efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings.
• Increased Competitiveness: Companies that prioritize sustainability are better positioned for long-term success, staying ahead of competitors who may lag in adopting sustainable practices.
• Access to Expertise: Sustainability consultants bring specialized knowledge and expertise, helping clients navigate complex sustainability issues and implement effective solutions.

By leveraging these benefits, businesses can not only improve their environmental impact but also achieve greater operational efficiency and market competitiveness.

To help businesses scale their sustainability efforts, we’ve compiled a list of the top five sustainability consultancies in the UK. Whether you’re based in the UK or connected to its market, these consultancies can provide the expertise you need.

Top 5 Sustainability Consulting firms in the UK

The leading sustainability consultancies in the UK are at the forefront of driving change towards a greener future. They offer a range of services that help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and implement eco-friendly practices.

Adopting electric vehicles is a crucial part of these sustainable practices, as it contributes to the broader transition towards multi-modal, sustainable transportation systems.

Anthesis Group

Anthesis is a certified B Corp and sustainability consultancy in London. It is a global sustainability consultancy firm that helps businesses with sustainable performance and operations, specialising in science-based advisory, market-leading digital solutions, high-quality carbon removal projects, and purpose consulting, strategy, and communication.

Their business is spread across 23 countries with 44 offices. They have more than 1,400 sustainability experts working to help clients transition to a decarbonised and sustainable future. Recently, the company has expanded to more global markets, including Australia, Switzerland, Singapore, and Colombia.

ERM

ERM London, or Environmental Resources Management, is a global provider of various services, including environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting, and sustainability-related services. Its 50 years of experience make it a prominent figure in the ESG market.

The company operates in over 40 countries and territories, with 140 offices and more than 8,000 employees. It provides a gamut of services in sustainability, mergers and acquisitions, project delivery, liability portfolio management and remediation, and safety services across sectors such as energy, technology, media and telecommunications, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, finance, mining and minerals, and manufacturing.

Want to learn more about ESG and sustainable courses or programmes? Visit our ESG Course page to find the right course to start your career in the green or sustainable market or update your skills for professional development.

Abricon

Abricon is an environmental consultant in Bristol, providing solutions to the most pressing environmental issues. They are specialists in ecological consultancy, carbon and sustainability, and environmental compliance services.

With over 30 years of experience helping developers, homeowners, planners, architects, and other public authorities domestically and internationally, they are the go-to business for developers to successfully execute their projects, from planning permissions to project completion.

Green Element Group

Green Element is a UK-based environmental consultant with over 20 years of experience in helping businesses adopt environmental responsibility. The top services offered by this UK environmental consultancy include, among other things, carbon footprint and benchmarking, life cycle analysis, setting science-based targets, built environment, and energy management.

It is a B Corp-certified business that has also been featured in the Top 50 UK Sustainability Consulting Firms.

Amber

Amber is a net-zero energy management and carbon consultancy based in Cardiff, UK. They provide services like reinforcing net zero strategies, energy compliance , energy management and promoting sustainability and reducing costs by providing businesses access to renewable energy sources through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

How to Choose a Sustainability Consultancy

Selecting the right sustainability consultant is crucial for achieving your organization’s sustainability goals. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Expertise: Look for a consultancy with a proven track record in sustainability services, including climate change, supply chain management, and digital solutions. Their expertise will be invaluable in addressing your specific needs.
• Industry Insights: Choose a consultancy that has a deep understanding of your industry. Tailored advice and guidance based on industry-specific knowledge can significantly enhance the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.
• Thought Leadership: Opt for a consultancy recognized as a thought leader in the field of sustainability. Innovative solutions and forward-thinking approaches can help tackle complex problems more effectively.
• Client Testimonials: Research past clients and read their testimonials to gauge their satisfaction with the consultancy’s services. Positive feedback from previous clients is a strong indicator of the consultancy’s reliability and effectiveness.
• Services: Consider the range of services offered by the consultancy. Ensure they align with your organization’s needs and goals, whether it’s carbon footprint reduction, energy management, or sustainable supply chain optimization.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose a sustainability consultant that will help your organization achieve a sustainable future and make significant progress towards your sustainability objectives.

Bottom Line

Many businesses, both small and large, struggle to meet their sustainability commitments due to a lack of reliable data and practical guidance. As the market evolves alongside new regulatory policies, it’s crucial to partner with providers who adapt to these changes.

If you want to scale your sustainability efforts, you need experts who continuously gather, analyze, and refine data, track market shifts, and break down silos. Only those with deep insights can help you navigate challenges and achieve success.

Simplifying sustainability is key. Using clear language instead of jargon ensures that more people understand and engage with concepts like ESG, decarbonization, and carbon credits. A straightforward approach fosters collaboration and drives collective action.

Find the right sustainability partners today. Check out KnowESG’s ESG Providers marketplace to connect with verified experts who can help you achieve your goals.

Communicate your message clearly, and the path to sustainability becomes much easier. Talk to us—we're here to help.