Sustainability / ESG Consultant

Overview

Sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) consultants advise corporations on climate strategy, carbon accounting, ESG disclosures, supply chain decarbonisation, and renewable energy transitions. India's SEBI mandate for Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) for top 1,000 listed companies created sharp consulting demand from 2023 onwards. Big 4 advisory practices and specialised ESG firms hire actively.

Day-to-day responsibilities

Build carbon footprint baselines (Scope 1, 2, 3); design net-zero pathways and Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) submissions; prepare BRSR (India) and GRI / SASB / TCFD (global) sustainability reports; conduct supplier sustainability audits; design circular economy strategies; support green finance transactions (sustainability-linked loans, green bonds); train client teams on ESG frameworks; partner with engineers on energy efficiency and renewable transitions.

Skills required

• ESG frameworks (GRI, SASB, TCFD, BRSR, EU CSRD)
• Carbon accounting (GHG Protocol, ISO 14064)
• Climate science fundamentals
• Excel and Python for ESG data analysis
• Stakeholder management (board, investors, supply chain)
• Industry knowledge (chosen sector)
• Report writing for technical and non-technical audiences
• Project management

Education path

Career progression

1. 1
   ESG Analyst (0-2 yrs)
2. 2
   Senior ESG Analyst / Consultant (2-5 yrs)
3. 3
   Manager / Senior Consultant (5-8 yrs)
4. 4
   Director / Principal (8-12 yrs)
5. 5
   Partner / Chief Sustainability Officer

Top employers in India

Useful certifications

• GRI Certified Sustainability Professional
• SASB FSA Credential
• TCFD Certificate
• GARP SCR (Sustainability and Climate Risk)
• CFA ESG Investing Certificate

Adjacent careers

Courses that lead to this career