News analysis

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.

A rightward shift in the European legislature may prompt near-term consolidation followed by medium-term uncertainty for E&S consulting in the region.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Consultants must bring together multiple stakeholders in efforts to modernize a vulnerable and fragmented US energy grid.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Consultancies are finding new roles supporting marine and maritime developments aimed at protecting ecology, climate and the economy.

European-headquartered consulting majors sustain healthy growth rates buoyed by environment, energy and water sectors, holding sustainability in focus for acquisitions and strategy.

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.

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.

Environmental consultants could play a pivotal role in funded projects, but developed country financing pledges have fallen through before.

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.

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.

Dallas-headquartered consultancy has purchased a trio of specialists companies in the fields of water and ecology and acoustic consultancy, adding over 300 staff. 

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-based solutions can protect communities from climate change, restore biodiversity, and create more resilient economies.

The change comes as part of a global rebranding exercise for the Australian engineering major, designed to reflect its focus on sustainability.

Global engineering, design and sustainability company commits to an ambitious growth plan with a focus on climate, communities and technology.

Acquisition supports AFRY’s strategy to scale globally in decarbonisation and to enhance its capabilities in the nuclear sector.

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.

How the race towards digital enablement and ESG advisory capabilities to offer ‘total sustainability solutions’ is shaping the industry’s strategic approach to acquisitions.

Environment & new energy business helps drive AECOM's record backlog. Jacobs firms up spin-out deal to concentrate on high-end climate & sustainable infrastructure solutions. Both confident in FY24 expectations.

The US offshore wind market faces further project cancellations, reducing confidence in clean energy and net zero targets, as global interest rates soar and supply chains struggle. 

Plan includes a regulated carbon market, the issuing of sustainable sovereign bonds and a national taxonomy focused on sustainability, as Brazil looks forward to hosting COP30 in two years.

AI-enabled tool clarifies legal obligations across the world and helps companies to create implementation plans.