A sustainability consultant is someone who advises businesses on methods to deliver their products or services in a sustainable manner (usually in an ecological sense). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has grown to be a very specific field and includes focal areas like "green building, renewable energy, waste management and sustainable development."[1]
Sustainability consultants support design and construction teams capturing opportunities for the following:
Certifications associated with sustainability standardsinclude the Zero Energy Building (ZEB), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), WELL, and Passive Building Design.
Research on the role of sustainability consultants in the UK found that there is a tendency to focus on technical aspects of building energy efficiency, facilities management and renewable technologies, but that consultants were aware of the need to support businesses on the ‘softer’ aspects of sustainability such as organisational culture and values.[3]
Behavioural change initiatives can be effective in reducing emissions, and have multiple benefits including boosting staff morale,[4] while research has found that collaboration between businesses can improve environmental performance.[5]
Online tools are available to support sustainability consultants to broaden their skills.[6]