Market Trends of Sustainability Consulting Services Industry
Climate Change Consultancy Services Type Holds Major Market Share
- Climate change consultancy services considered under the scope include Carbon Footprint and Mitigation Analysis, Alternative Energy Development and Energy Efficiency, Climate Adaptation and Strategy, Emergency Management, Carbon Offset/Net Zero Services, Environmental Regulatory Compliance Services, Waste Management and Circularity, and Other Services.
- The increasing demand for climate change consultancy services is driven by businesses and organizations seeking expert advice on reducing environmental impact, lowering carbon footprints, adapting to climate change, managing risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing sustainable practices.
- Across the globe, businesses are grappling with the repercussions of climate change. As a result, managing climate-related risks, such as physical, transitional, or liability-based, has become paramount for firms eager to maintain their competitive edge and thrive in the emerging Net Zero paradigm. This evolving landscape has spurred a heightened demand for various consultancy services centered on climate change, aiding businesses in navigating these complexities.
- According to the 2024 report on GHG emissions from all world countries, published by 'The Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research/Joint Research Centre (EDGAR/JRC)'' global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions hit a record high in 2023, reaching 52.96 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (Gt CO₂e), marking a two percent year-over-year increase.
- Moreover, companies that take the initiative in confronting climate change issues bolster their reputation and position themselves as leaders in sustainability. Such a proactive stance can translate into a significant competitive advantage, drawing in customers, top talent, and valuable partnerships.
- Vendors in the sustainability consulting market are acquiring climate change consulting firms. This strategy aims to broaden their service offerings, bolster their market presence, and cater to the rising demand for climate change consultancy services.
- For instance, in June 2024, ERM, a sustainability advisory firm, announced its agreement to acquire Energetics, a climate risk and energy transition consultancy based in Australia. This move aims to bolster ERM's growth in the Asia Pacific region. Energetics specializes in tailored services, such as crafting climate resiliency strategies, offering insights on climate risks and renewable energy transitions, guiding companies towards net-zero goals, and monitoring power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewable energy transactions. ERM asserts that this acquisition will bolster its capacity to provide clients with both strategic advice and hands-on implementation across Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region.
- Overall, climate change consultancy services are expected to hold the largest share of the global sustainability consulting market. As businesses and organizations become more aware of climate impacts, face regulatory pressures to reduce their carbon footprints, and witness a global surge in climate action initiatives, there's a rising demand for climate change consultancy services. This demand is further fueled by businesses seeking a competitive edge through proactive climate change risk management.
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Asia Pacific to Register Major Growth
- Diverse regulatory frameworks and swift industrialization shape the sustainability consulting market in the Asia-Pacific region. The region's expansion is largely fueled by heightened government regulations on environmental standards, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction. In response, sustainability consulting firms in the Asia-Pacific help businesses meet compliance targets, adopt green strategies, and weave sustainable practices into their operations.
- Countries like China and India, witnessing rapid urbanization and industrialization, face environmental degradation. This has led their governments to enforce stricter environmental standards. In this context, sustainability consulting firms play a pivotal role, guiding companies to craft business models that harmonize growth with environmental stewardship, all while ensuring adherence to both national and international sustainability benchmarks.
- For instance, driven by rising urbanization and its national "Dual Carbon" targets—aiming for peak carbon emissions by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2060—China is intensifying its efforts to green its building and construction sector. Government data reveals that in 2020, a significant 77% of China's new urban construction projects were classified as green buildings.
- In October 2023, Shanghai unveiled a three-year initiative aimed at bolstering the ESG capabilities of foreign businesses in the city. Thereby, the plan encourages companies to ramp up Research and Development investments and embrace digital, green, and low-carbon technologies, enhancing their innovation and competitiveness, and heightening the demand for sustainability consulting solutions.
- In the Asia-Pacific region, companies are increasingly adopting ESG principles to draw in global investors and bolster their brand reputation. Sustainability consulting firms assist these businesses by pinpointing areas for enhancement, executing ESG strategies, and gearing up for international sustainability reporting standards.
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