Day in the Life of a Successful ESG Consultant

A successful ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Consultant wears many hats — advisor, analyst, communicator, and strategist. Each day is filled with fast-paced client engagements, deep-dive data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. As companies prioritize ESG as a business imperative, consultants play a pivotal role in shaping strategies that align with both compliance and impact. Here’s what a typical day might look like for a thriving ESG Consultant.

8:30 AM ? Morning Review and Prioritization

The day kicks off with a review of current client dashboards, project timelines, and team messages. Tasks might include:

• Checking ESG project updates across clients using project management tools like Asana or Monday.com
• Scanning ESG news or regulation updates that may impact client industries
• Reviewing emails from client stakeholders with questions or data submissions

Priorities are set based on upcoming deliverables, client meetings, and strategic planning sessions.

9:30 AM ? Client ESG Strategy Call

The consultant meets with the sustainability lead and CFO of a mid-sized consumer goods company to discuss:

• Progress on their net-zero roadmap
• Integration of ESG KPIs into executive performance evaluations
• Next steps for aligning with the CSRD disclosure framework

The consultant offers tailored recommendations and prepares to follow up with a strategy brief later that day.

11:00 AM ? ESG Data Analysis and Reporting

After the call, it's time to analyze supplier ESG data for a manufacturing client:

• Using Excel or Power BI to clean and segment supplier emissions and social metrics
• Benchmarking results against peers using SASB or industry-specific ESG benchmarks
• Flagging underperforming vendors for follow-up risk assessment

This data will inform both the client’s annual ESG report and their supplier engagement strategy.

1:00 PM ? Internal Team Sync and Lunch

After a quick break, the consultant joins a virtual meeting with the internal ESG team to:

• Coordinate client workload across team members
• Review updates to regulatory guidance (e.g., ISSB, SEC rules)
• Debrief on recent client workshops and share best practices

Team alignment ensures consistency and quality across consulting projects.

2:30 PM ? ESG Disclosure Drafting and Framework Mapping

The afternoon is dedicated to helping a real estate client build their first ESG report. Tasks include:

• Mapping current ESG metrics to GRI and TCFD frameworks
• Drafting language for their “Governance and Ethics” section
• Coordinating with graphic designers for data visualization mockups

The consultant ensures the report is both regulator-ready and investor-friendly.

4:00 PM ? Executive Prep Session

Later in the day, the consultant prepares a briefing for a CEO ahead of their ESG investor Q&A session. Key deliverables include:

• Summarizing ESG performance trends and improvements
• Anticipating difficult questions around supply chain emissions and DEI metrics
• Recommending language that aligns with corporate strategy and ESG commitments

This preparation ensures senior leadership speaks confidently and accurately on ESG topics.

5:30 PM ? Wrap-Up and Learning

The day ends with documentation and a short period of professional development:

• Logging client notes and follow-ups in the CRM
• Reading ESG newsletters or attending a 30-minute webinar on ESG AI tools
• Reviewing certification modules (e.g., SASB FSA or CFA ESG)

Continuous learning is a cornerstone of ESG consulting success.

Conclusion

Each day as an ESG Consultant is diverse, demanding, and deeply rewarding. From data analysis to executive advising, this role offers the opportunity to influence corporate sustainability efforts across sectors. For those who thrive on solving complex problems, working with purpose-driven clients, and staying ahead of evolving standards, ESG consulting offers a dynamic and impactful career path.