What is an ESG Consultant? Insights from The Growth Activists’ ESG Expert, Kirsty Simmonds
Organisations are increasingly recognising the business value and commercial advantages of strong ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices. Good ESG is no longer a “nice to have,” it’s a strategic necessity that shapes business resilience, unlocks market opportunities, and strengthens stakeholder trust. Yet, while the importance of ESG is clear, many businesses lack the in-house expertise to make it happen. This is where ESG consultants step in. They provide the clarity, data-driven insights, and tailored solutions needed to embed ESG into business strategy, ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and driving long-term value creation. ESG consulting goes beyond regulatory checklists—it delivers measurable impact, aligns organisations with global standards, and positions them for sustainable growth. What is an ESG Consultant? An ESG consultant helps organisations integrate environmental, social, and governance principles into their operations and decision-making. According to Kirsty Simmonds, ESG Practice Lead and B Consultant at The Growth Activists, “An ESG consultant advises on practices across a spectrum—from meeting mandatory ESG reporting standards to implementing global best practices. Where an organisation chooses to sit on this spectrum is a strategic decision.” She adds, “Our role includes sustainability reporting, ESG data analysis, risk assessments, and materiality assessments to identify focus areas. We assist organisations with strategy development, compliance, and operational improvements that align with business priorities and stakeholder expectations.” Kirsty and her team at The Growth Activists are experienced sustainability and ESG consultants who blend deep expertise with a strong commercial focus. They integrate business and ESG strategy practices to create strategies that drive both positive impact and long-term value creation. Their advice is always commercially realistic and forward-thinking, recognising that a sustainable business must also be a successful one. Common ESG Services: Education & Training: From boardroom briefings to operational upskilling, building ESG knowledge across teams. Analysis & Benchmarking: ESG maturity assessments, performance benchmarking, and risk management reviews. Materiality Assessments: Identifying ESG factors that matter most to your business and stakeholders. Strategy Development: Aligning ESG initiatives with business strategy and measurable KPIs. Operational Support: Carbon accounting, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, embedding sustainable practices, and enhancing governance. Certification & Reporting: Support with ESG reporting standards such as GRI, B Corp, UN PRI, and integrated reporting. Stakeholder Engagement & Communications: Building trust, delivering thought leadership, and transparent sustainability reporting. What is an ESG Consultation? An ESG consultation typically starts with data collection and an assessment of a company’s current approach to sustainability. This includes identifying areas of risk and opportunity, aligning with ESG reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), or regulatory requirements such as Mandatory Climate Reporting,and providing strategic guidance to evolve practices, comply, excel, and even troubleshoot problems. At The Growth Activists, ESG consulting follows a structured three-step approach to ensure each step is data-rich and informed by the previous step: Audit and Plan: Benchmark ESG performance across environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance using tools like the B Impact Assessment. Operationalise Improvements: Develop ESG strategy, embed sustainability efforts, and set measurable targets. This includes ESG policy design, risk mitigation, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Embed and Engage: Drive community engagement, integrate ESG reporting standards, and prepare for climate-related financial disclosures. “We simultaneously embed stakeholder engagement practices within the business, because this is essential for good practice and optimal impact (including for positive financial impact for the business). Increasingly, our approach includes preparation for regulatory reporting, in particular new Mandatory Climate Reporting in Australia, and preparing businesses that must provide data for their customers’ regulatory reporting in other countries, especially the EU where reporting is broader and deeper than in Australia,” Kirsty notes. Top sustainability and ESG consulting firms deliver an integrated approach that leads to measurable improvements in ESG performance. Is ESG Consulting a Good Career? With climate change and sustainable practices dominating boardroom agendas, ESG consulting has emerged as one of the fastest-growing professions worldwide. Driven by climate change legislation, mandatory ESG reporting, and modern slavery regulations, demand for ESG specialists continues to surge, making their role essential for a sustainable future. According to industry reports, ESG roles have grown sharply due to investor demand, employees’ expectations for responsible business practices, regulatory shifts, and a corporate focus on sustainability. ESG consulting provides dynamic, meaningful work in areas like policy development, risk management, and ESG software implementation—making it a truly rewarding and impactful career. “It is a great career if you are driven by making an impact, because this is a role in which you can have a clear, measurable impact while focusing on a subset of ESG that you love most,” Kirsty shares. How Much Does an ESG Consultant Cost in Australia? Salary expectations vary widely while consulting firms offer competitive packages based on experience and specialisation. Kirsty advises: “Be clear with the work environment and culture that suits you, where you can do your best work and focus on that. If you enjoy your work, your colleagues and your environment, it carries a ‘value’ far higher than a financial figure.” Essential Skills Required to Become an ESG Consultant The ESG consulting field requires a unique blend of skills, including: ESG data analysis and sustainability strategy development Familiarity with ESG reporting standards and regulatory frameworks Expertise in risk assessments and policy development Ability to align ESG considerations with business priorities and capital markets expectations Strong communication and stakeholder engagement Specialisations such as climate change mitigation, environmental management, and decarbonisation strategies are increasingly valuable. Measuring the Impact of ESG Strategies A sustainability and ESG consultant uses both qualitative and quantitative metrics to track progress. This may include: Environmental: Reduction in carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, progress in carbon accounting. Social: Modern slavery risk mitigation, workforce wellbeing, and community engagement initiatives. Governance: Improved compliance, transparency in reporting, and stronger governance structures. Kirsty summarises: “A good test is to imagine the damage that can be done, which is not difficult to think of scenarios, then impact can be measured by doing the opposite to mitigate, remediate or prevent.” By reporting on