News analysis
A planetary perspective: how consultancies can raise the game
As humanity pushes past Earth system boundaries, sustainability experts will be painfully aware of the disconnect between frameworks and targets and what’s needed in reality. How can they reconcile the disparity?
Recycling remains battleground as plastics negotiations end
Companies will need consultants' help to address their plastics footprint, particularly given the poor prospects for substantive global agreement and binding regulation.
Reporting bodies shine laser light on natural capital
The inclusion of nature in the sustainability agenda is starting to affect risk analysis, company disclosures and investor behaviour. Standards and reporting organisations are also on the case — and this time, in collaboration.
Impact update: evolving strategies for climate mitigation and ESG reporting
In the second instalment of this special series, Environment Analyst examines how consultancies are responding internally to the complex challenges of climate change mitigation and measuring their wider sustainability impacts.
EU’s environmental resolve threatened further by elections
A rightward shift in the European legislature may prompt near-term consolidation followed by medium-term uncertainty for E&S consulting in the region.
English-speaking world dominates latest E&S consulting M&As
Notable acquirers in the environmental and sustainability advisory space in recent weeks include Anthesis, NV5, WSP and ERM, demonstrating interests in climate data management and reporting, social justice and GIS.
Impact update: consultancies advance their climate leadership journeys
Environment Analyst delves into the latest crop of annual ESG and sustainability reports from professional service firms to assess progress in climate action and disclosure, as the march towards science-based net zero continues.
Embedded ESG issues driving M&A disputes, BRG report shows
Political controversy means some firms are downplaying ESG as a term, but the underlying issues covered by the acronym are only becoming more important for due diligence.
SBTi removes climate pledges of top consultancies before revisiting offsets rule
Consultancies are among those with long-term carbon reduction commitments marked as ‘removed’ from the SBTi dashboard, although an update to its offsets policy could see a reversal of some of these.
More consultancies disclose to CDP, but fewer make ‘A list’
Firms must pick up the pace of decarbonisation and disclosure with high-quality ESG data, or risk being downgraded. Environment Analyst scrutinises the latest CDP climate scores for consultancies.
Preparing the US grid for a clean energy future
Consultants must bring together multiple stakeholders in efforts to modernize a vulnerable and fragmented US energy grid.
CCS projects progress as EU unveils new carbon strategy
Consultants are helping Europe’s industrial emitters get serious on CO2 capture. But building the infrastructure for a continental storage market will need a lot more government involvement.
Climate assessments drastically overlook legal risks, warn academics
Companies and regulators are waking up to the potential threats from climate litigation, but have only just begun to grapple with how these risks should be evaluated, let alone addressed.
Whole systems approach must underpin sustainable urban development
Reducing carbon emissions from the built environment requires a move away from silo-based carbon counting towards a circular, whole systems approach, or the ‘super cities’ of the future risk being environmental disasters.
Revenues maintain upward momentum for North American majors
WSP leads a North American quartet of large global firms reporting positive FY2023 results, with its Earth & Environment sector now forming one-third of its business. Montrose Environmental, NV5 and Stantec also celebrate growth in the sector.
Green light for investments in the blue economy
Consultancies are finding new roles supporting marine and maritime developments aimed at protecting ecology, climate and the economy.
Sweco and Arcadis report robust growth in revenues and profits
European-headquartered consulting majors sustain healthy growth rates buoyed by environment, energy and water sectors, holding sustainability in focus for acquisitions and strategy.
Islamic finance turns to climate and energy
To meet sharia rules, Islamic financial institutions are increasingly looking to the energy transition and socially responsible investing, boosting decarbonisation efforts and bringing new business opportunities in the Muslim-majority world.
Top 100 analysis: Fastest growth rates driven by M&A and integrated delivery
Environment Analyst’s Top 100 report reveals the latest trends and movements in the global ranking of environmental and sustainability (E&S) consultancy businesses, and shows that the industry remains fragmented with top slots held by majors WSP, AECOM, Tetra Tech and Jacobs.
Strict conditions could limit gains from US tax breaks for hydrogen
Biden’s ‘45V’ tax credits for clean hydrogen production are dividing the industry, with relief at the commitment to net zero being offset by concerns that the conditions may limit development.
California’s climate acts start countdown on emissions measurement
The US state’s far reaching disclosure requirements present both challenges and opportunities. Consultants are urging companies to tackle their implications as soon as possible.
COP29 will determine key components for Loss and Damage fund
Environmental consultants could play a pivotal role in funded projects, but developed country financing pledges have fallen through before.
Treble acquisition broadens Trinity’s services
Dallas-headquartered consultancy has purchased a trio of specialists companies in the fields of water and ecology and acoustic consultancy, adding over 300 staff.
ESG commitment ‘cooling’ in a troubled world
Studies find almost a third of companies disclosed not using any renewable energy and only 10% had a renewable energy target, while net zero target date is being pushed to the right.
‘Nature knows best’ for infrastructure
Nature-based solutions can protect communities from climate change, restore biodiversity, and create more resilient economies.
Advisian becomes Worley Consulting
The change comes as part of a global rebranding exercise for the Australian engineering major, designed to reflect its focus on sustainability.
Stantec releases three-year strategic plan
Global engineering, design and sustainability company commits to an ambitious growth plan with a focus on climate, communities and technology.
AFRY expands nuclear expertise
Acquisition supports AFRY’s strategy to scale globally in decarbonisation and to enhance its capabilities in the nuclear sector.
COP28: Global push for near-zero emission buildings
Twenty-eight nations, including the US and China, have pledged their commitment to the ´Buildings Breakthrough´ as launched on day seven of the international climate meeting.
Adapting to tomorrow’s environmental solutions via M&A
How the race towards digital enablement and ESG advisory capabilities to offer ‘total sustainability solutions’ is shaping the industry’s strategic approach to acquisitions.