Looking for top mid-sized sustainability consulting firms in Europe? This guide explores the leading companies specializing in helping businesses incorporate sustainable practices. From carbon footprint assessments to renewable energy solutions, these firms offer the expertise you need to meet your sustainability goals.

Key Takeaways

• Mid-sized sustainability consulting firms in Europe are playing a critical role in guiding businesses toward achieving their sustainability goals through tailored strategies and specialized knowledge.
• Leading firms like EcoAct, Anthesis Group, and South Pole offer diverse services including carbon footprint assessments, sustainable finance solutions, and climate data analytics, which are necessary for promoting sustainable practices.
• Established firms such as ERM, Ramboll, and WSP provide extensive sustainability consulting services that address industry-specific challenges and promote long-term resilience in various sectors.

Leading Mid-Sized Sustainability Consulting Firms in Europe

At a time when the importance of sustainability has moved beyond mere lip service and has become an essential aspect for companies, mid-sized firms specializing in sustainability consulting are gaining prominence throughout Europe. Among 500+ contenders in the consultancy arena, 37 stand out as frontrunners within the area of sustainability. They play a significant role by helping businesses incorporate sustainable practices into their operations to fulfill their environmental objectives while maintaining growth that is profitable and eco-friendly.

These consultancies provide a gamut of services tailored to foster sustainable development, ranging from evaluating carbon footprints to crafting innovative strategies for sustainable finance. Their expert advice equips organizations with the necessary tools to navigate through the complexities involved in embracing ecological responsibilities.

As we deep-dive into this theme, we will focus on some top-tier consulting firms, including those at the forefront of offering sustainability consulting. We will also direct our attention to players leading the charge toward promoting efforts aimed at securing a future that places greater emphasis on conservation and responsible resource use.

For those of you who are curious to know more about sustainability consulting firms globally, access KnowESG’s world-renowned ESG Marketplace by clicking on the Sustainability Consulting & Strategy category.

EcoAct

EcoAct is recognized for its significant role in fostering sustainable impact within the consulting industry. Since its inception in 2006, EcoAct has dedicated itself to guiding organizations toward their climate ambitions by providing customized strategies to minimize carbon emissions. Their sustainability services cover multiple industries, positioning them as a reliable ally for companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and attain net zero status.

At the core of EcoAct’s sustainability services are detailed assessments of an organization’s carbon footprint and biodiversity accounting measures. They expertly handle the intricate details involved with carbon offsets and support nature-based interventions that aid clients in diminishing emissions. They emphasize renewable energy initiatives and energy management systems as crucial elements for shaping a future rooted in sustainability.

Anthesis Group

Anthesis Group stands as a leading provider of sustainability services, with a mission to promote the emergence of a sustainable future. They use climate data analytics effectively in guiding organizations through revolutionary practices that weave sustainability into their basic activities, promoting ethical and sustainable behaviors across supply chains.

The sustainability consulting firm gives adequate importance to establishing transparency and ensuring compliance along these supply chains. By advocating for responsible sourcing methods, they help companies navigate risks while boosting their reputational standing.

Ricardo Energy & Environment

Ricardo Energy & Environment provides a comprehensive range of sustainability services that include the entire spectrum from policy and strategy formulation to specific issues involving environmental resources management and energy transition. Their proficiency in evaluating the consequences of climate change, along with their capacity to devise robust strategies for sustainability, sets them apart as frontrunners in this domain.

The advanced economic modeling methodologies utilized by Ricardo provide valuable perspectives on how different policy frameworks may influence environmental conditions and energy infrastructures. These insights help companies in monitoring their Scope 3 emissions, providing a comprehensive view of their total environmental footprint.

South Pole

South Pole is distinguished for creating customized ESG strategies that help organizations adeptly manage their environmental responsibilities. The sustainability consultancy firm shows its dedication to attaining sustainability through an extensive range of reputable climate action initiatives. It achieves this by collaborating strategically with clients and employing inventive methods to ensure that it achieves the objectives of sustainability while going beyond them.

Concentrating on the Middle East among other areas, South Pole utilizes its global connections to offer effective solutions centered around sustainability. Their strategy incorporates a profound understanding of regional nuances, enabling them to offer customized services capable of generating substantial ecological advantages.

ERM's European Division

Among the top sustainability consulting firms is the European branch of ERM, which is recognized for its excellence in providing top-tier sustainability services. They offer a broad spectrum of support, ranging from managing environmental risks to planning for a sustainable future and devising energy storage solutions. The expertise of ERM extends across multiple sectors, catering to industries such as energy, technology, and healthcare.

By acknowledging the varied requirements of different industries, ERM helps organizations establish sustainability strategies that reduce risks while enhancing enduring robustness. Their comprehensive methodology ensures that clients are prepared to tackle the multifaceted nature of sustainability within the ever-evolving landscape of today’s business world.

Ramboll

Ramboll operates as a consulting firm that provides comprehensive sustainability consulting services, helping companies draft strong sustainability reporting frameworks and comply with environmental standards. Their special focus on sustainable urban planning and green energy initiatives distinguishes them as frontrunners in the sector.

In the realm of public service, Ramboll offers advisory services aimed at augmenting the effectiveness of sustainability efforts through careful strategic design and execution. Utilizing their deep-seated expertise, Ramboll assists clients in reaching their objectives for sustainability, thereby fostering beneficial outcomes for the environment.

SLR Consulting

SLR Consulting, a top sustainability consulting firm, is committed to tackling complex challenges in sustainability by combining their knowledge in environmental science and sustainable finance with cooperative efforts. Their guiding principle, summed up by the phrase “Making Sustainability Happen,” highlights their dedication to promoting sustainable practices across diverse industries.

Providing a wide range of solutions for sustainability, SLR guarantees all-encompassing assistance for clients, extending from creating strategies to executing projects. The firm offers specialized advisory services that span strategic guidance as well as engineering and technical advice. Each service is designed to cater to the unique requirements of clients and deliver results that are both effective and sustainably sound.

Arup

A global professional services company, Arup guides enterprises in dealing with climate change by creating customized strategies for climate action and sustainability. Utilizing sophisticated technology and data analytics, Arup strengthens clients’ resilience to risks associated with the changing climate, equipping them for future obstacles.

As a leader in sustainability consulting, Arup is favored by companies aiming to integrate sustainable methods into their basic processes. The firm’s employment of innovative tools and methodologies guarantees that its clients can achieve their goals concerning sustainability efficiently.

Gaia Consulting

Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Gaia Consulting has established itself among the top sustainability consulting firms with an emphasis on areas like the circular economy, evaluating climate risk, crafting sustainability strategies, and implementing green energy solutions.

Renowned in the Nordic region for its expertise in fostering circular economy innovations and devising nature-derived climate remedies, Gaia Consulting equips clients with targeted industry-specific strategies. This empowers them to realize quantifiable sustainable results and better their financial performance.

3Degrees

Based in San Francisco and extending its reach to Europe with operations in Stockholm, Sweden, 3Degrees' sustainability services offer green energy solutions and navigate carbon markets. Its formidable presence across international business landscapes helps firms in acquiring clean energy and formulating strategies for cutting down carbon emissions.

To sum up, these mid-tier sustainability consulting firms possess distinct capabilities. Their inventive methods and deep knowledge generate considerable effects throughout different industries, enabling enterprises to successfully accomplish their sustainability objectives.

Learn more about sustainability consulting firms worldwide by clicking on the Sustainability Consulting & Strategy category under ESG Marketplace on KnowESG’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Big 4 is best for sustainability consulting?

Courtesy of their comprehensive ESG strategies, frameworks, and reporting services, PwC and EY most often fall under the best sustainability consulting firms.

What does sustainability consulting do?

The primary role of sustainability consulting is to assist organizations in terms of creating and incorporating ESG strategies. Lowering environmental impact, adhering to regulations, and improving sustainability performance in the long run, comprise its other tasks.

How do sustainability consultants support investment decisions?

By analyzing ESG data and climate risks, consultants help businesses and investors make informed, future-focused investment decisions aligned with sustainability rankings and risk management frameworks.

Can mid-sized consultancies offer global reach and impact?

Yes, many mid-sized firms like South Pole and Anthesis operate across regions, including Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, offering a global network and localized expertise to address sustainability issues.

Why are mid-sized consulting firms gaining attention in Europe?

Mid-sized firms are often more agile, cost-effective, and specialized, offering tailored solutions that enhance operational efficiency and meet specific industry needs. In Europe, many of these firms are consistently ranked for their ability to support clients in meeting environmental goals while driving revenue growth and organisational transformation.

What role do mid-sized sustainability consulting firms play in driving sustainable growth?

Mid-sized consulting firms provide tailored sustainability solutions, from carbon footprint assessments to renewable energy strategies, helping organizations balance profitability with environmental planning and long-term resilience.

How do leading consulting firms embed sustainability into corporate strategy?

Top firms such as EcoAct, Anthesis Group, and South Pole embed sustainability by integrating climate expertise, governance practices, and actionable plans into a company’s daily operations and value chains, ensuring both environmental and financial performance.

Why are sustainability consulting firms considered global leaders in climate practice?

These firms are recognized as global leaders because they leverage sustainability expertise, innovative technologies, and thought leadership to create solutions that mitigate climate change and support a more sustainable future.

What competitive advantages do companies gain by working with sustainability consultants?

By collaborating with consulting firms, companies can strengthen stakeholder trust, improve governance, and gain a competitive advantage through decarbonization transformations, supply chain resilience, and future-ready business models.

How do consulting firms help businesses set and achieve sustainability goals?

Sustainability consultants guide organizations in setting clear sustainability goals, building governance frameworks, and creating actionable plans to embed sustainability into operations, enabling measurable progress.

What industries benefit most from sustainability consulting services?

Consulting firms work across various industries including energy, finance, healthcare, technology, and infrastructure, tailoring sustainability solutions that address unique sector-level challenges while driving growth.

How do consulting firms support stakeholders in achieving a sustainable world?

They collaborate with stakeholders across value chains, ensuring inclusive governance, transparent reporting, and strategies that contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable world.

How do financial institutions play a key role in driving sustainable economic growth?

Financial institutions channel hundreds of millions into innovative solutions and new technologies, enabling businesses to set sustainability goals and achieve long-term economic growth.

Why is South Asia considered important in sustainability consulting?

South Asia plays a key role in the global sustainability landscape, where consulting teams help organizations adopt innovative solutions, strengthen governance, and drive sustainable development across diverse industries.