Sustainable Consulting Market

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Sustainable Consulting Market is accounted for $16.9 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $91.5 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 27.3% during the forecast period. Sustainable consulting involves advising businesses, organizations, and governments on strategies to achieve long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Consultants in this field focus on helping clients reduce their environmental impact, improve resource efficiency, and adopt practices that promote social equity and economic viability. They provide guidance on topics like renewable energy, waste management, sustainable supply chains, and corporate social responsibility. Sustainable consulting aims to align business goals with environmental stewardship, ensuring that organizations can thrive while contributing positively to society and the planet's future well-being.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Business Insights and Conditions Survey conducted between March and April 2022, approximately 23% of large businesses reported having a climate strategy, while 17% had established greenhouse gas emissions targets.  

Market Dynamics: 

Driver: 

Rising demand for sustainability reporting and disclosure

The rising demand for sustainability reporting and disclosure in the market is driven by increasing regulatory pressures, investor expectations, and consumer awareness of environmental and social issues. Companies face growing accountability to demonstrate transparent ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices, meet climate targets, and align with global frameworks like the GRI and TCFD. Additionally, stakeholder demand for ethical operations and long-term risk management compels organizations to seek expert consulting services for robust sustainability reporting and strategic environmental performance improvement.

Restraint:

Perceived complexity of sustainability consulting services

The perceived complexity of sustainability consulting services can negatively impact the sustainable consulting market by deterring businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, from seeking professional support. Many organizations view sustainability as a complicated, resource-intensive process involving technical jargon, regulatory uncertainty, and unclear ROI. This perception can lead to hesitation or inaction, slowing market growth and limiting the adoption of effective sustainability strategies. As a result, consultants may face challenges in client engagement, education, and conveying the tangible value of their services.

Opportunity:

Corporate sustainability commitments and net-zero target

Corporate sustainability commitments and net-zero targets are key drivers in the market, fueled by global climate agreements, regulatory mandates, and stakeholder pressure for responsible business practices. Companies are setting ambitious environmental goals to reduce carbon footprints, enhance brand reputation, and gain competitive advantage. Investors increasingly prioritize ESG performance, pushing firms to adopt science-based targets and transparent decarbonization strategies. This shift creates strong demand for consulting expertise to develop, implement, and monitor effective pathways toward sustainability and net-zero emissions.

Threat:

Competition from in-house sustainability teams and alternative solutions

Competition from in-house sustainability teams and alternative solutions poses a significant challenge to the market. As organizations increasingly build internal expertise, they may reduce reliance on external consultants to manage ESG initiatives. Additionally, digital platforms and automated tools offering cost-effective sustainability solutions can further diminish demand for traditional consulting services. This shift pressures consulting firms to differentiate through specialized knowledge, innovation, and value-added services, or risk losing market share to more accessible and perceived lower-cost internal or tech-based alternatives.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the market. Initially, many organizations paused sustainability initiatives due to economic uncertainty and shifting priorities. However, the crisis ultimately heightened awareness of systemic risks and the importance of resilient, sustainable business models. This led to a renewed focus on ESG strategies, driving demand for consulting services in areas like supply chain resilience, climate risk, and stakeholder engagement. Post-pandemic recovery efforts further accelerated sustainability commitments, positioning consulting firms as key strategic partners.

The sustainable finance & invxesting segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The sustainable finance & investing segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. Financial institutions and asset managers seek expert guidance to integrate sustainability into portfolios, comply with evolving regulations, and align with global frameworks like the EU Taxonomy and SFDR. This trend fuels demand for consulting services that support ESG reporting, risk assessment, and green finance strategies. As capital shifts toward responsible investments, consultants play a crucial role in helping clients meet investor expectations and attract sustainable funding.

The construction & real estate segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the construction & real estate segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate. Growing regulatory pressures, green building certifications (like LEED and BREEAM), and investor demand for climate-resilient assets are driving companies to seek expert consulting. Sustainable consultants assist in designing energy-efficient buildings, reducing carbon footprints, and achieving compliance with ESG standards. As urbanization accelerates, the need for sustainable development further amplifies demand for specialized consulting services in this sector.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share due to increasing regulatory frameworks, government climate commitments. Countries like China, Japan, India, and Australia are setting ambitious net-zero targets and ESG mandates, pushing businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Rapid urbanization and industrial growth also heighten the demand for environmental and social risk management. As a result, consulting firms are seeing rising opportunities to support organizations with ESG integration, sustainability reporting, and green transition strategies across diverse industries.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the North America region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR driven by increasing regulatory pressures, growing consumer demand for eco-friendly practices, and a heightened focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Companies are adopting sustainable practices to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, reduce operational costs, and improve brand image. The rising awareness of climate change and resource conservation, along with technological advancements in green solutions, further fuels the demand for sustainability consulting services across industries in the region.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the Sustainable Consulting Market include EY, Accenture, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Deloitte, KPMG, McKinsey & Company, FTI Consulting, A.T. Kearney, Arthur D. Little, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, Jacobs, Strategy&, PwC India, Corpseed ITES Pvt. Ltd., Grant Thornton India, SG Analytics and EcoEngineers.

Key Developments:

In May 2024, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) announced that it has signed an agreement for the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) with TwelveTM, the carbon transformation company. The agreement will run from 2026 until 2029, and is expected to deliver an emissions reduction of more than 4,000 metric tons of CO2 by the end of the period. The agreement is part of BCG’s drive to achieve net zero climate impact by 2030.

In January 2024, Sports brand PUMA India and Accenture have teamed up to further strengthen PUMA’s supply chain and distribution network in the country. By leveraging Accenture’s expertise in digital twin technology, the collaboration aims to drive faster fulfillment and reduce operational costs for the company.

Service Types Covered:
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Sustainability Strategy & Reporting
• Carbon Footprinting & Decarbonization
• Energy & Resource Efficiency
• Supply Chain Sustainability
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Sustainable Finance & Investing
• Other Service Types

Organization Sizes Covered:
• Large Enterprises
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• Startups & Social Enterprises 

Sales Channels Covered:
• Direct Channel
• Digital/Online Channel
• Partner/Channel Sales
• Government & Institutional Tenders 

End Users Covered:
• Energy & Utilities
• Manufacturing & Heavy Industry
• Construction & Real Estate
• Retail & Consumer Goods
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
• Other End Users 

Regions Covered:
• North America
o US
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o UK
o Italy
o France
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
o Japan        
o China        
o India        
o Australia  
o New Zealand
o South Korea
o Rest of Asia Pacific    
• South America
o Argentina
o Brazil
o Chile
o Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa 
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Qatar
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings: 
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
o Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
o SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
o Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
o Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances