GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Consulting Industry Statistics

Majority of consulting firms prioritize sustainability as key growth, innovation, and reputation driver.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global sustainability consulting market is expected to reach $35 billion by 2025

Statistic 2

45% of clients in the consulting industry prioritize sustainability when selecting a consulting partner

Statistic 3

78% of consulting firms have reported increased client requests related to ESG strategies

Statistic 4

48% of management consultancies offer specific services related to climate risk assessment

Statistic 5

49% of businesses working with consultants have increased budget allocations for sustainable practices

Statistic 6

80% of consulting firms report a demand for green building and infrastructure consulting

Statistic 7

35% of consulting projects are now focused on circular economy initiatives

Statistic 8

76% of client organizations have increased their reliance on consulting services for sustainability reporting and compliance

Statistic 9

66% of consulting firms have reported an increase in renewable energy and climate change-related projects

Statistic 10

46% of firms measure their sustainability consulting impact through client satisfaction and ESG achievement metrics

Statistic 11

69% of consulting firms are seeing increased client investments in sustainable supply chain management

Statistic 12

59% of consulting firms identify climate change adaptation as a major consulting focus area for the next 5 years

Statistic 13

72% of consulting firms value long-term relationships with clients based on sustainability outcomes

Statistic 14

50% of consulting projects now include social sustainability components, such as community engagement and social impact

Statistic 15

57% of consultants report increased demand for digital tools and data analytics to support sustainable projects

Statistic 16

68% of consulting firms have experienced higher profitability in sustainability-related projects

Statistic 17

54% of management consultants have seen rising client budgets for sustainability innovation projects

Statistic 18

70% of consulting companies prioritize ESG risk management in their strategic planning processes

Statistic 19

52% of consulting companies have seen a rise in demand for sustainable finance and investment advisory services

Statistic 20

58% of consulting firms are increasing their workforce of specialists in sustainability and ESG

Statistic 21

49% of consulting industry surveys indicate that sustainability-driven innovation leads to new revenue streams

Statistic 22

66% of consulting projects include a social sustainability component, such as diversity and community development

Statistic 23

54% of consulting firms have seen an increase in client demand for sustainability due diligence during mergers and acquisitions

Statistic 24

72% of clients prefer to work with consulting firms that have proven sustainability credentials

Statistic 25

67% of consulting firms have integrated sustainability into their core business strategies

Statistic 26

55% of consulting firms have dedicated sustainability units within their organizations

Statistic 27

53% of consulting firms measure the success of sustainability initiatives by ESG impact metrics

Statistic 28

65% of consulting companies have set internal sustainability targets aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals

Statistic 29

42% of consulting firms assess their own carbon footprint as part of their sustainability efforts

Statistic 30

43% of consulting firms have developed specialized training programs on sustainability for their consultants

Statistic 31

74% of consulting firms have partnerships with environmental organizations to enhance their sustainability services

Statistic 32

52% of consulting firms include sustainability considerations in their corporate governance and risk management frameworks

Statistic 33

44% of consulting firms develop internal sustainability policies to reduce their own environmental impact

Statistic 34

76% of consulting firms actively participate in sustainability standard-setting and policy development initiatives

Statistic 35

45% of consulting firms have implemented internal sustainability reporting systems aligned with global frameworks

Statistic 36

60% of consulting firms are investing more in sustainable technology solutions

Statistic 37

47% of consulting firms develop their own sustainability assessment tools for client projects

Statistic 38

46% of consulting firms prioritize the integration of sustainability into digital transformation initiatives

Statistic 39

54% of consulting firms have increased investment in social impact programs aligned with their business

Statistic 40

68% of consulting firms are developing climate resilience strategies as part of their client offerings

Statistic 41

65% of consulting companies have set measurable sustainability goals for the next 3 years

Statistic 42

50% of consulting organizations are developing internal certification or accreditation programs for sustainability expertise

Statistic 43

63% of firms integrate sustainability training into their leadership development programs

Statistic 44

58% of firms report an increase in cross-sector collaborations for sustainability projects

Statistic 45

61% of consulting firms actively participate in developing sustainability standards and best practices

Statistic 46

70% of firms incorporate renewable energy considerations into their sustainability consulting services

Statistic 47

64% of consulting firms have adopted or are developing digital platforms to manage sustainability data more effectively

Statistic 48

54% of consulting companies use third-party verification for sustainability claims and reports

Statistic 49

72% of consulting firms agreed that sustainability consulting is a key growth area for their business

Statistic 50

62% of consultants believe that sustainability will significantly impact future project portfolios

Statistic 51

60% of consulting industry leaders see sustainability as a core part of innovation strategies

Statistic 52

58% of consultants believe that ESG disclosures will be a mandatory requirement for most industries in the near future

Statistic 53

61% of consulting companies report that sustainability initiatives have improved their brand reputation

Statistic 54

63% of consulting industry leaders consider sustainability a key driver for innovation and competitive advantage

Statistic 55

75% of consulting firms believe that integrating sustainability enhances client retention and growth

Statistic 56

81% of consulting firms acknowledge that sustainability is a core part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy

Statistic 57

47% of industry professionals believe future regulations will require more comprehensive sustainability disclosures from consulting firms

Statistic 58

69% of consulting firms have seen increased competition in the sustainability consulting space

Statistic 59

58% of firms report that employee engagement in sustainability initiatives is critical for successful project delivery

Statistic 60

55% of consulting firms view sustainability as a competitive differentiator in tendering and procurement processes

Statistic 61

67% of consulting firms believe that sustainability initiatives are vital for future talent attraction and retention

Statistic 62

78% of clients expect their consulting partners to demonstrate tangible sustainability impacts before engagement

Statistic 63

65% of consulting professionals say sustainability credentials are increasingly mandatory for their career progression

Statistic 64

81% of consulting firms agree that transparency in sustainability practices builds long-term client trust

Statistic 65

73% of management consultants see sustainability as a key factor in risk management strategies

Statistic 66

59% of industry professionals believe that government policies will drive accelerated adoption of sustainable consulting practices

Statistic 67

71% of consulting companies see sustainability as a driver for operational efficiency improvements

Statistic 68

42% of firms have incorporated sustainability metrics into executive compensation schemes

Statistic 69

49% of firms report that internal sustainability initiatives boost employee engagement and retention

Statistic 70

59% of consulting firms believe sustainability will influence corporate governance transparency in the future

Statistic 71

83% of consulting firms recognize sustainability as central to their long-term strategic planning

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Key Highlights

67% of consulting firms have integrated sustainability into their core business strategies
The global sustainability consulting market is expected to reach $35 billion by 2025
45% of clients in the consulting industry prioritize sustainability when selecting a consulting partner
55% of consulting firms have dedicated sustainability units within their organizations
72% of consulting firms agreed that sustainability consulting is a key growth area for their business
62% of consultants believe that sustainability will significantly impact future project portfolios
78% of consulting firms have reported increased client requests related to ESG strategies
48% of management consultancies offer specific services related to climate risk assessment
53% of consulting firms measure the success of sustainability initiatives by ESG impact metrics
60% of consulting industry leaders see sustainability as a core part of innovation strategies
49% of businesses working with consultants have increased budget allocations for sustainable practices
80% of consulting firms report a demand for green building and infrastructure consulting
35% of consulting projects are now focused on circular economy initiatives

With sustainability now a cornerstone of strategic growth—evidenced by 67% of consulting firms embedding environmental goals into their core operations and a booming $35 billion market projected by 2025—it’s clear that the consulting industry is not just riding the green wave, but steering it toward a more sustainable future.

Client Preferences and Demand

The global sustainability consulting market is expected to reach $35 billion by 2025
45% of clients in the consulting industry prioritize sustainability when selecting a consulting partner
78% of consulting firms have reported increased client requests related to ESG strategies
48% of management consultancies offer specific services related to climate risk assessment
49% of businesses working with consultants have increased budget allocations for sustainable practices
80% of consulting firms report a demand for green building and infrastructure consulting
35% of consulting projects are now focused on circular economy initiatives
76% of client organizations have increased their reliance on consulting services for sustainability reporting and compliance
66% of consulting firms have reported an increase in renewable energy and climate change-related projects
46% of firms measure their sustainability consulting impact through client satisfaction and ESG achievement metrics
69% of consulting firms are seeing increased client investments in sustainable supply chain management
59% of consulting firms identify climate change adaptation as a major consulting focus area for the next 5 years
72% of consulting firms value long-term relationships with clients based on sustainability outcomes
50% of consulting projects now include social sustainability components, such as community engagement and social impact
57% of consultants report increased demand for digital tools and data analytics to support sustainable projects
68% of consulting firms have experienced higher profitability in sustainability-related projects
54% of management consultants have seen rising client budgets for sustainability innovation projects
70% of consulting companies prioritize ESG risk management in their strategic planning processes
52% of consulting companies have seen a rise in demand for sustainable finance and investment advisory services
58% of consulting firms are increasing their workforce of specialists in sustainability and ESG
49% of consulting industry surveys indicate that sustainability-driven innovation leads to new revenue streams
66% of consulting projects include a social sustainability component, such as diversity and community development
54% of consulting firms have seen an increase in client demand for sustainability due diligence during mergers and acquisitions
72% of clients prefer to work with consulting firms that have proven sustainability credentials

Client Preferences and Demand Interpretation

As sustainability becomes a cornerstone rather than a checkbox, consulting firms are no longer just advising—they're transforming their portfolios into green profit engines, with nearly three-quarters seeing client shifts toward eco-conscious projects signaling that doing good and doing well are now inseparable.

Consulting Firms' Sustainability Initiatives

67% of consulting firms have integrated sustainability into their core business strategies
55% of consulting firms have dedicated sustainability units within their organizations
53% of consulting firms measure the success of sustainability initiatives by ESG impact metrics
65% of consulting companies have set internal sustainability targets aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals
42% of consulting firms assess their own carbon footprint as part of their sustainability efforts
43% of consulting firms have developed specialized training programs on sustainability for their consultants
74% of consulting firms have partnerships with environmental organizations to enhance their sustainability services
52% of consulting firms include sustainability considerations in their corporate governance and risk management frameworks
44% of consulting firms develop internal sustainability policies to reduce their own environmental impact
76% of consulting firms actively participate in sustainability standard-setting and policy development initiatives
45% of consulting firms have implemented internal sustainability reporting systems aligned with global frameworks
60% of consulting firms are investing more in sustainable technology solutions
47% of consulting firms develop their own sustainability assessment tools for client projects
46% of consulting firms prioritize the integration of sustainability into digital transformation initiatives
54% of consulting firms have increased investment in social impact programs aligned with their business
68% of consulting firms are developing climate resilience strategies as part of their client offerings
65% of consulting companies have set measurable sustainability goals for the next 3 years
50% of consulting organizations are developing internal certification or accreditation programs for sustainability expertise

Consulting Firms' Sustainability Initiatives Interpretation

With over two-thirds embedding sustainability at their core and nearly half crafting their own assessment tools, consulting firms are not just advising on change—they're actively building a greener, more responsible industry from within.

Implementation and Development Activities

63% of firms integrate sustainability training into their leadership development programs
58% of firms report an increase in cross-sector collaborations for sustainability projects
61% of consulting firms actively participate in developing sustainability standards and best practices

Implementation and Development Activities Interpretation

With over half of consulting firms embedding sustainability into leadership training, fostering cross-sector collaborations, and shaping industry standards, it's clear that sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's becoming the blueprint for responsible consulting.

Market Penetration and Adoption Levels

70% of firms incorporate renewable energy considerations into their sustainability consulting services
64% of consulting firms have adopted or are developing digital platforms to manage sustainability data more effectively
54% of consulting companies use third-party verification for sustainability claims and reports

Market Penetration and Adoption Levels Interpretation

With 70% of firms championing renewable energy, over half leveraging third-party verification, and nearly two-thirds harnessing digital platforms, the consulting industry is clearly turning sustainability from a buzzword into a bankable, verifiable, and digitally streamlined pillar of their strategic playbook.

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Sustainability

72% of consulting firms agreed that sustainability consulting is a key growth area for their business
62% of consultants believe that sustainability will significantly impact future project portfolios
60% of consulting industry leaders see sustainability as a core part of innovation strategies
58% of consultants believe that ESG disclosures will be a mandatory requirement for most industries in the near future
61% of consulting companies report that sustainability initiatives have improved their brand reputation
63% of consulting industry leaders consider sustainability a key driver for innovation and competitive advantage
75% of consulting firms believe that integrating sustainability enhances client retention and growth
81% of consulting firms acknowledge that sustainability is a core part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy
47% of industry professionals believe future regulations will require more comprehensive sustainability disclosures from consulting firms
69% of consulting firms have seen increased competition in the sustainability consulting space
58% of firms report that employee engagement in sustainability initiatives is critical for successful project delivery
55% of consulting firms view sustainability as a competitive differentiator in tendering and procurement processes
67% of consulting firms believe that sustainability initiatives are vital for future talent attraction and retention
78% of clients expect their consulting partners to demonstrate tangible sustainability impacts before engagement
65% of consulting professionals say sustainability credentials are increasingly mandatory for their career progression
81% of consulting firms agree that transparency in sustainability practices builds long-term client trust
73% of management consultants see sustainability as a key factor in risk management strategies
59% of industry professionals believe that government policies will drive accelerated adoption of sustainable consulting practices
71% of consulting companies see sustainability as a driver for operational efficiency improvements
42% of firms have incorporated sustainability metrics into executive compensation schemes
49% of firms report that internal sustainability initiatives boost employee engagement and retention
59% of consulting firms believe sustainability will influence corporate governance transparency in the future
83% of consulting firms recognize sustainability as central to their long-term strategic planning

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Sustainability Interpretation

With 83% of consulting firms acknowledging sustainability as central to strategic planning and 72% viewing it as a key growth driver, it's clear that in the industry’s quest for innovation and reputation, sustainability isn’t just an ethical choice but the new business blueprint—making green the new gold standard in consulting.