What Does a ESG Consultant Do on a Daily Basis?

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Consultants play a critical role in guiding organizations toward responsible, sustainable business practices. By combining strategic insight with regulatory expertise and stakeholder engagement, ESG Consultants help companies evaluate risk, report performance, and develop sustainability strategies. Their daily work is a mix of data interpretation, client advising, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration — all aimed at embedding ESG into business success.

Morning: Reviewing Client Metrics and Deadlines

The day often begins by reviewing client portfolios, ongoing project milestones, and updates on sustainability performance indicators. Common tasks include:

• Checking ESG dashboards or performance summaries for multiple clients
• Following up on data requests or clarifications with client stakeholders
• Prioritizing tasks based on upcoming reporting deadlines or workshops

This planning phase ensures the consultant remains organized and focused across engagements.

Client Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

ESG Consultants regularly meet with clients to align on sustainability goals, address challenges, and provide strategic advice. Daily interactions may involve:

• Hosting discovery meetings with new clients to assess ESG maturity
• Facilitating ESG materiality assessments and stakeholder surveys
• Reviewing past ESG reports and identifying gaps or improvement areas

Active listening and tailored recommendations are key to building trust and delivering results.

Data Gathering and Analysis

Consultants spend a portion of their day collecting and interpreting ESG data to evaluate client performance. Tasks typically include:

• Validating carbon emissions data (Scopes 1, 2, and 3)
• Assessing diversity and inclusion statistics, ethical sourcing data, or board governance indicators
• Benchmarking ESG performance against industry peers or frameworks like SASB, GRI, or CDP

Accurate data informs compliance and strategic planning, making this a cornerstone of ESG consulting work.

Developing and Supporting ESG Reporting

One of the most time-sensitive aspects of ESG consulting is preparing client disclosures. Consultants help create or review:

• Annual sustainability or ESG reports aligned with frameworks like GRI, TCFD, or CSRD
• Climate risk disclosures or Scope 3 emissions estimates
• Investor communications or responses to ESG ratings agencies (e.g., MSCI, Sustainalytics)

Clear, credible reporting is essential for investor trust, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance.

Strategy Development and Implementation Guidance

Beyond compliance, ESG Consultants also play an advisory role in shaping long-term sustainability strategy. Their daily contributions may include:

• Recommending net-zero pathways, renewable energy targets, or circular economy initiatives
• Helping clients define ESG KPIs and integrate them into enterprise risk management
• Drafting ESG policies, roadmaps, and board-level briefings

Strategic guidance helps companies go beyond reporting — toward meaningful change.

Staying Current on ESG Trends and Regulations

Given the dynamic ESG landscape, consultants dedicate time each day to learning and research. They might:

• Read regulatory updates (e.g., SEC, EU CSRD, ISSB)
• Attend webinars, industry roundtables, or client briefings
• Explore new tools for ESG data visualization and automation

Continuous learning ensures consultants provide informed, forward-thinking advice.

End-of-Day Wrap-Up and Planning

To close the day, ESG Consultants often:

• Log project progress in CRM or project management systems
• Review upcoming client meetings or deliverables
• Draft follow-up emails or summarize insights from the day’s engagements

Effective documentation and planning support consistency and client satisfaction.

Conclusion

A day in the life of an ESG Consultant is fast-paced, intellectually engaging, and purpose-driven. From data analysis and reporting to strategic advisory and stakeholder engagement, consultants help clients transform ESG commitments into measurable results. Their role is crucial in a world where transparency, ethics, and long-term resilience define corporate success.