Choosing the right sustainability consultant for your business

You never ask a mechanic to fix your water pump, a cobbler to stitch your clothes or a barber to trim your garden. Then isn’t it a stretch to expect an ecologist to create ESG reports for your business?

Clearly, it isn’t your fault. Sustainability or ESG is a very very wide field. Most people working in this domain might not be able pin-point who exactly does what or solves what kind of business problems. As you may have realised an ESG reporting expert’s skills are very very different than those of a sustainability strategist or an ecologist. Add something challenges like sustainability branding for employees or measuring Scope-3 emissions, and the challenge increases exponentially.

Finding the right diagnosis

One can always try asking friends, colleagues, or AI chatbots, though it’s not guaranteed that they can suggest the right answer. Because before arriving at the correct solution, you need a very clear diagnosis of your current and future sustainability challenges. To figure who can solve your problems, you first need an understanding of which challenges and regulations apply (and will apply) to your business.

Our experience shows, often businesses have requirements which are more/less/different than what they had assessed initially. And it gets quite costly both in terms of time and money to start afresh. Through this article we help you figure a correlation between the most common ESG challenges businesses face and the right kind of sustainability experts who can help with solutions.

If you are looking for someone who can empathically listen to your business’s ESG challenges and help you figure the right path, please get in touch with our sustainability specialists here.

If you want to figure it on your own, let’s dive a little deeper. Let’s study each category of challenges individually.

Environmental business challenges & matching experts

Business Challenge	Expert Designation	Collaborating Department	Brief Challenge Description
Resource Management	Environmental Consultant	Operations/Facilities Management	Efficiently managing natural resources to minimize environmental impact.
Carbon Footprint	Sustainability Specialist	Sustainability	Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Waste Management	Waste Management Expert	Operations/Facilities Management	Implementing effective waste reduction, recycling, and disposal practices.
Water Usage	Water Resource Manager	Operations/Facilities Management	Managing water consumption and ensuring sustainable water practices.
Pollution Control	Environmental Engineer	Environmental Health & Safety	Reducing air, water, and soil pollution from business operations.
Biodiversity Impact	Ecologist	Environmental Health & Safety	Mitigating negative impacts on local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Climate Change Adaptation	Climate Change Analyst	Risk Management	Adapting business operations to cope with the impacts of climate change.
Sustainable Sourcing	Supply Chain Manager	Procurement/Supply Chain	Ensuring that raw materials and products are sourced sustainably.
Energy Efficiency	Energy Efficiency Consultant	Operations/Facilities Management	Continuously improving energy efficiency in operations and facilities.

Social business challenges & matching experts

Business Challenge	Expert Designation	Collaborating Department	Brief Challenge Description
Employee Well-being	Human Resources Manager	Human Resources	Ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of employees.
Diversity and Inclusion	Diversity and Inclusion Officer	Human Resources	Promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
Community Engagement	Community Relations Manager	Corporate Social Responsibility	Building and maintaining positive relationships with local communities.
Human Rights	Human Rights Specialist	Human Resources	Ensuring fair labor practices and respecting human rights throughout the supply chain.
Customer Relations	Customer Relations Manager	Customer Service/Marketing	Meeting customer expectations for ethical and sustainable products and services.
Social Equity	Social Responsibility Advisor	Corporate Social Responsibility	Addressing social inequalities and contributing to social development.
Supply Chain Labor Practices	Supply Chain Auditor	Procurement/Supply Chain	Ensuring fair labor practices and working conditions throughout the supply chain.
Consumer Privacy	Data Privacy Officer	IT/Legal	Protecting consumer data and privacy in an increasingly digital world.
Employee Retention	Talent Management Specialist	Human Resources	Retaining talent by creating a positive and supportive work environment.

Governance business challenges & matching experts

Business Challenge	Expert Designation	Collaborating Department	Brief Challenge Description
Ethical Conduct	Compliance Officer	Legal/Compliance	Ensuring ethical behavior and compliance with laws and regulations.
Transparency	Transparency Officer	Corporate Governance	Maintaining transparency in business operations and reporting.
Stakeholder Engagement	Stakeholder Engagement Specialist	Corporate Governance	Effectively engaging with stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees.
Risk Management	Risk Manager	Risk Management	Identifying and managing ESG-related risks.
Board Diversity	Board Diversity Consultant	Corporate Governance	Ensuring diversity and inclusion at the board and leadership levels.
Long-term Strategy	Strategic Planner	Strategic Planning	Developing and implementing a long-term ESG strategy that aligns with business goals.
Anti-Corruption Measures	Anti-Corruption Specialist	Legal/Compliance	Implementing robust anti-corruption policies and practices.
Executive Compensation	Compensation Analyst	Human Resources	Aligning executive compensation with long-term ESG goals and performance.
Regulatory Scrutiny	Regulatory Affairs Specialist	Legal/Compliance	Navigating increased regulatory scrutiny and potential penalties for non-compliance.
Data Collection and Reporting	Data Analyst	IT/Finance	Gathering, analyzing, and reporting ESG data accurately.
Cost Management	Financial Analyst	Finance	Balancing the costs of ESG initiatives with potential long-term benefits.
Regulatory Compliance	Regulatory Compliance Officer	Legal/Compliance	Keeping up with evolving ESG regulations and standards.
Market Perception	Market Analyst	Marketing	Adapting to changing market perceptions and consumer expectations regarding sustainability.
Innovation	Innovation Manager	Research & Development	Innovating to develop sustainable products and services.
Supply Chain Management	Supply Chain Manager	Procurement/Supply Chain	Ensuring that suppliers adhere to ESG standards and practices.
Technology Integration	Technology Integration Specialist	IT	Integrating new technologies to support ESG initiatives.
Cultural Change	Organizational Development Consultant	Human Resources	Driving cultural change within the organization to prioritize ESG values and practices.
Investor Expectations	Investor Relations Manager	Investor Relations	Meeting the growing expectations of investors for strong ESG performance and reporting.

If your business is facing multi-pronged challenges on the ESG front, and would need a more curated approach, we can help you figure the right solutions. Just describe your challenge here.