In 2024, more businesses will need a sustainability consultant because of changes to the UK Sustainability Disclosure Standard. As a result, the global market for this role may reach $16bn (£13bn) by 2027. Therefore, there will be many chances for people who want this career. But it’s important to know what the job is about before applying.
Applying for a job, especially for a sustainability role, without knowing what it is can cause several problems. First, the job might be different. As a result, it can lead you to frustration and unhappiness. Additionally, if the work doesn’t match what you enjoy, it can make you feel bored or unmotivated. Therefore, understanding the sustainability field will help you win the role. To help you understand the role, this article explains the main skills and steps to help you succeed.
Sustainability Consultant Meaning
A sustainability consultant is role to provide eco-friendly methods for companies. These methods are good for people and the planet. This job finds ways to balance the needs of society, the environment, and business. Moreover, these consultants work with governments, non-profits, and businesses to see how their actions affect nature. For example, they measure emissions and study how current methods impact wildlife.
This job is also called a green consultant, eco consultant, or environmental manager. These experts handle every part of a project, from planning to checking results. They need to understand important terms to do their job well. This helps them see how the project affects the environment and find ways to fix problems. It also makes sure the project follows environmental rules. They need both technical skills and creative thinking to help create a cleaner, healthier world.
What does a Sustainability Consultant do?
A sustainability consultant helps businesses and projects become more eco-friendly. In general, they work in different areas such as city planning, mining, and building roads. However, they also help out with running factories, building bridges, as well as constructing schools or other facilities.
That said, their main job is to make plans and guidelines that support eco-friendly practices. To give you a better idea of it all, here are some things they might do:
Evaluating the current impact
Before starting a project, a sustainability consultant looks at how a company affects the environment. They find ways to help the company be more eco-friendly. For example, they check how much pollution and waste the company makes when it makes products. The consultant also uses tools to measure how green the company is. These tools check things like energy use, gas, water, waste, and air. With this information, the consultant can see the company’s impact on the environment and suggest better, greener choices.
Proposing Sustainable Solutions
After collecting and analysing the data, a sustainability consultant suggests ways to reduce the impact on the environment. The consultant creates ideas that fit the company’s goals. The company’s leaders must approve these ideas before using them. The consultant writes a simple report to explain the ideas and shows the data that supports them. For example, the consultant might suggest using solar or wind power to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. The consultant might also suggest a plan to reuse materials, which helps reduce waste and lower costs. These actions make the company more eco-friendly.
Overseeing the Implementation
Once the company agrees with the solutions, the sustainability consultant makes sure the changes happen. The consultant might hire more workers or get new tools to help with the changes. The consultant might also train workers to follow the new, eco-friendly practices. If needed, the consultant makes changes to improve the process. The consultant watches how things are going and solves problems that come up. The job is to ensure the changes work and help the company meet its goals to be sustainable.
Communicating with a Client’s Customers
A sustainability consultant talks to the client’s customers to get support for the company’s green ideas. The consultant helps spread the word about the company’s efforts to be more eco-friendly. For example, the consultant runs a campaign to teach customers to use reusable tote bags instead of plastic bags. This helps reduce plastic waste. The consultant also asks customers for feedback through surveys to learn what they think. The consultant uses this feedback to make better choices for future projects. In doing so, the consultant helps the company build trust and show that they care about the environment.
Collaborating with Other Departments
A sustainability consultant works with other departments to finish projects or do research. First, they make plans to help the company meet its environmental goals. Then, by asking different teams for ideas, they can make better decisions. They also talk to the accounting team to track costs and avoid overspending. As a result, working together helps find simple and affordable ways to meet the company’s sustainability goals without going over budget. This teamwork makes sure everyone is on the same page and moving in the right direction. So, the company can reach its goals more easily.
Staying Updated on Industry Trends
A sustainability consultant keeps up with the latest news in the industry. They look for changes in rules to make sure the company follows them. By staying updated, they can find the best ways to solve environmental problems. They also share this new information with employees and others, showing them better ways to be more sustainable. This helps the company stay on track with its environmental goals. Staying informed also helps the company stay competitive and ready for changes. This way, the company can adjust quickly when needed.
Sustainability Consultant’s Skillset
Like any consulting job, a sustainability consultant needs both technical (hard) and personal (soft) skills to succeed. In general, technical skills are abilities you can learn through training, practice, or education. Meanwhile, personal skills are traits or behaviours that help you connect and work well with others. Here’s a list of the skills needed for this role:
Hard Skills
- Understanding nature
- Analysing data
- Checking how products impact the environment
- Tracking eco-friendly activities
- Knowing green building standards
- Managing supply chains
Soft Skills
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Organising and managing projects
- Thinking critically and solving problems
- Working well with others and involving key people
- Being creative and innovative
- Adapting to changes easily
How much does a sustainability consultant make?
The salary for a sustainability consultant can be different because of a few things. These things include how much experience they have, where they work, and what industry they work in. For example, consultants with more experience usually make more money. The place where they work also affects their pay. The industry they work in can also change how much they earn.
Below, we show the estimated yearly salary ranges for this job in different areas. These ranges give an idea of what this role can earn. Remember, salaries may change over time.
- United Kingdom: $45,000 - $80,000
- Europe: $50,000 - $90,000
- Middle East: $55,000 - $95,000
- Asia: $76,610
Tips to follow down this career path
If you want to be a good sustainability consultant and excel in this role, you might ask, "What should I do?" Well, don't worry! There are several ways to start this role accordingly. For this reason, you can begin by learning about the field from a trusted source. Moreover, you can get your hands-on projects to understand the task. To make it simple, here are some key steps you can follow:
1. Study a relevant skill
First, you should learn about the environment. You can study subjects like environmental science, sustainability, or business. Another option is to study subjects like geoscience, engineering, biology, or chemistry. These subjects will give you the knowledge you need for the job. Moreover, the more you study, the better you will be at helping businesses reduce their impact on the environment. Therefore, it’s important to keep learning so that you are ready for the work.
2. Pursue an internship or volunteer
Next, it’s a good idea to gain some experience. You can do this by taking an internship or volunteering. This will help you learn by working on real projects. In addition, many websites offer internships or volunteer jobs in sustainability. You can also find opportunities at universities, environmental groups, or companies that focus on sustainability. For example, you can still save the planet by taking courses and learning how businesses help them. Furthermore, non-profit groups are a good way to gain experience. By volunteering or interning, you will better understand the job. Plus, you’ll meet people who can help you in the future. As a result, this experience is very important to becoming a successful sustainability consultant.
3. Get Certification and Work Experience
To become a sustainability consultant, you need both work experience and certifications. You can get the certification by learning from a course. These will not only make you more credible but also give you a deeper understanding of sustainability. Be sure to show your experience on your resume. This way, you can stand out and improve your chances of getting the job.
4. Grow in the Field
As you get more experience, you will start doing more tasks. This will help you get better at your job and make you more valuable to your company. The more tasks you handle, the stronger your resume will be. This can help you get promoted to higher positions. In these higher positions, you will lead projects, make important decisions, and guide your team. You will also meet other professionals, which can help you find new job opportunities in the future.
Conclusion
A sustainability consultant helps businesses reduce their impact on the environment and society. They give advice and suggest ways to make businesses more eco-friendly. Moreover, they also make a lot of money, which is what makes this position so attractive. Therefore, many companies are opening vacancies for this position and many people want to apply for it.
If you want to grow in this field, the College of Contract Management offers special courses. These courses will help you learn more about sustainability and earn important certificates. With the right knowledge and experience, you can become an expert and have a successful career in this field.
