ESG and Sustainability Advisory Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Types (ESG Advisory, Sustainability Advisory), By Applications Covered (Chemicals, Building and Construction, Agriculture, Food and Beverage, Mining, Oil and Gas, Other) and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

ESG and Sustainability Advisory Market Size

The Global ESG and Sustainability Advisory Market was valued at USD 44,315.93 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 47,059.08 million in 2025, growing steadily to USD 76,087.35 million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.19% during the forecast period [2025–2033], driven by heightened regulatory pressures, investor focus on sustainable practices, and increasing corporate demand for ESG integration and reporting solutions.

The U.S. ESG and Sustainability Advisory Market is expanding steadily, fueled by stricter regulatory frameworks, growing investor emphasis on responsible practices, and rising corporate initiatives toward environmental, social, and governance integration across industries.

Key Findings

• Market Size: Valued at 47059.08M in 2025, expected to reach 76087.35M by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.19%.
• Growth Drivers: 64% policy-driven ESG demand, 52% investor pressure, 47% climate risk awareness, 41% board-level integration, 36% supply chain accountability.
• Trends: 44% growth in double materiality adoption, 39% sector-specific playbooks, 35% AI-enabled ESG data use, 33% scope 3 measurement, 29% ESG-linked finance.
• Key Players: Deloitte, McKinsey and Company, EY, Accenture, PwC
• Regional Insights: Europe 34%, North America 29%, Asia-Pacific 26%, Middle East & Africa 11%; China and UAE show fastest advisory uptake.
• Challenges: 48% lack standard ESG metrics, 42% talent shortage, 38% data integration issues, 33% inconsistent frameworks, 27% low SME readiness.
• Industry Impact: 57% improved stakeholder trust, 49% better ESG ratings, 44% access to green finance, 37% reduced transition risk, 28% M&A value impact.
• Recent Developments: 41% launched ESG toolkits, 36% added net-zero advisory, 32% expanded biodiversity services, 29% piloted AI solutions, 25% built climate platforms.

The ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is gaining prominence as organizations prioritize non-financial disclosures, climate risk management, and long-term value creation. With over 68% of global corporations enhancing ESG reporting, the demand for specialized advisory services has surged. ESG and sustainability advisory firms support businesses in aligning with frameworks like TCFD, GRI, and ISSB, while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. These services include materiality assessments, net-zero roadmap design, ESG ratings improvement, and stakeholder engagement strategies. Rapid changes in regulatory compliance, investor scrutiny, and ESG-linked financing are transforming the advisory ecosystem into a strategic enabler for risk mitigation, competitive differentiation, and sustainable growth.

ESG and Sustainability Advisory Market Trends

The ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is evolving rapidly, shaped by increasing regulation, investor activism, and stakeholder pressure for measurable sustainability outcomes. A significant trend is the integration of ESG into core business strategy, with 61% of listed companies globally incorporating ESG KPIs into executive compensation. The adoption of double materiality assessments rose by 42% in 2023, driven by new EU reporting standards. Advisory firms are now offering climate scenario modeling and biodiversity impact assessments as part of end-to-end ESG solutions. Over 38% of multinational corporations have hired ESG advisors to align with science-based targets and implement Scope 3 emissions tracking.

ESG data assurance and audit services have expanded by 47%, reflecting growing demand for verified disclosures and transparency. Technology integration is also a key trend—around 36% of advisory firms now partner with ESG software platforms to offer real-time data monitoring, AI-powered risk detection, and automated reporting. Supply chain ESG risk evaluation has seen a 33% uptick as brands address ethical sourcing, human rights, and circularity. Additionally, demand for sector-specific ESG playbooks is growing among energy, financial services, and healthcare clients. The ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is maturing beyond compliance, playing a strategic role in brand equity, capital access, and risk-adjusted decision-making.

ESG and Sustainability Advisory Market Dynamics

The ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is driven by rising investor scrutiny, policy enforcement, and customer expectations for ethical business conduct. ESG advisory is no longer limited to risk reporting; it now spans strategy, transformation, and impact measurement. Companies are seeking guidance to align with frameworks like CSRD, SFDR, and SEC climate disclosures. Moreover, advisory demand is accelerating in emerging markets, where 37% of large enterprises are onboarding ESG consultants to navigate international reporting requirements. ESG due diligence in M&A transactions has grown by 29%, with sustainability considerations influencing deal valuations. However, inconsistency in ESG metrics, data complexity, and varying maturity levels across industries create fragmentation in advisory service models.

OPPORTUNITY

Rising Demand for Net-Zero and Decarbonization Strategy Services

The growing emphasis on carbon neutrality has opened up significant opportunities in the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market. Around 56% of Fortune 500 companies have committed to net-zero or science-based targets, increasing demand for advisory support in target setting, emissions baselining, and decarbonization roadmaps. The energy, transportation, and industrial sectors are particularly active, with 41% of players investing in carbon reduction modeling. In Southeast Asia and the Middle East, ESG advisors are helping firms navigate voluntary carbon markets and climate finance instruments. Moreover, sustainable finance-linked advisory, such as green bond alignment and ESG fund certification, is growing rapidly, enabling advisors to guide both issuers and investors.

DRIVERS

Increasing Regulatory Pressure on ESG Disclosures

Governments and financial regulators are playing a critical role in accelerating the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market. In the EU, over 51,000 companies will be subject to mandatory ESG reporting under CSRD from 2025. In the U.S., the SEC’s climate disclosure rule is prompting 48% of public firms to seek ESG advisory support. Across Asia-Pacific, new taxonomies and green finance guidelines have resulted in a 44% rise in ESG consultant engagement. With investors demanding ESG ratings alignment, companies are using advisory services to ensure alignment with frameworks such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, and ISS. These regulatory shifts are fueling consistent demand for governance, risk management, and sustainability-focused advisory offerings.

RESTRAINT:

"Lack of Standardization in ESG Metrics and Frameworks"

One of the major restraints in the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is the absence of standardized global ESG reporting guidelines. With multiple frameworks—such as SASB, GRI, TCFD, and CDP—coexisting, 46% of companies report confusion in determining reporting priorities. In emerging markets, only 29% of ESG disclosures are aligned with recognized global standards, leading to inconsistent benchmarking. Advisory firms face difficulties in harmonizing ESG KPIs across geographies and sectors. Furthermore, 38% of companies cite internal resistance and resource gaps in operationalizing ESG reporting. These challenges slow down execution timelines, dilute impact, and increase dependency on manual data validation, limiting the scalability of advisory offerings.

CHALLENGE:

"Shortage of Qualified ESG Professionals and Sector Expertise"

A significant challenge in the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is the talent gap. Only 34% of ESG advisory firms report having sector-specialized sustainability consultants. The increasing demand for ESG analytics, climate risk modeling, and impact measurement has outpaced workforce development. In the financial services sector, 27% of advisory projects are delayed due to lack of personnel with both ESG and regulatory expertise. The shortage is more pronounced in regions like LATAM and Africa, where sustainability advisory ecosystems are still evolving. Additionally, firms struggle to retain talent amid rising compensation expectations and burnout, further affecting capacity to scale and deliver customized, high-impact solutions across complex global portfolios.

Segmentation Analysis

The ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is segmented by type and application, reflecting the evolving needs of industries navigating regulatory compliance, reputational risks, and stakeholder expectations. By type, the market is categorized into ESG Advisory and Sustainability Advisory. ESG Advisory services focus on governance, risk, compliance, and non-financial reporting, while Sustainability Advisory addresses environmental impact, carbon reduction, and responsible resource use. By application, the demand for advisory services spans across Chemicals, Building and Construction, Agriculture, Food and Beverage, Mining, Oil and Gas, and Other Industries such as financial services, logistics, and healthcare. Each sector presents unique ESG priorities, frameworks, and reporting complexities that drive tailored advisory solutions.

By Type

• ESG Advisory: ESG Advisory services account for the largest share of the market, with approximately 58% of total demand. These services are focused on guiding companies through ESG ratings improvement, stakeholder disclosure, regulatory compliance, and ethical governance practices. In 2023, 64% of public companies across Europe and North America engaged ESG advisors to navigate frameworks such as CSRD, ISSB, and TCFD. Advisory firms provide due diligence, materiality assessments, and ESG strategy mapping aligned to financial performance and shareholder expectations. As investor scrutiny intensifies, more than 42% of IPO-bound companies globally are embedding ESG advisory into their pre-listing compliance programs. ESG advisory is also expanding into boardroom coaching, supply chain audits, and ESG risk scoring.
• Sustainability Advisory: Sustainability Advisory services represent around 42% of the market and focus on environmental impact mitigation, climate change adaptation, and long-term sustainable business practices. Approximately 49% of manufacturing and energy firms have hired sustainability consultants to develop science-based decarbonization roadmaps. These services include carbon accounting, lifecycle assessments (LCA), renewable energy strategy, and biodiversity protection plans. In Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, 34% of large enterprises are investing in sustainability advisory to align operations with national green agendas. Consultants also support circular economy planning and resource efficiency modeling. Sustainability advisory demand is accelerating as more companies adopt net-zero targets, with advisory support guiding technology adoption, reporting accuracy, and transition risk management.

By Application

• Chemicals: The Chemicals industry accounts for about 16% of the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market, driven by environmental compliance requirements, hazardous waste disclosures, and transition planning. Around 51% of top-tier chemical manufacturers have implemented ESG frameworks with advisory support to align with GHG Protocol and REACH standards. Material impact analysis and carbon footprint reporting are core focus areas, especially in Europe and the U.S. Advisory firms help navigate cross-border chemical regulations, scope 3 emission estimations, and sustainable chemistry initiatives. The growing adoption of bio-based and low-carbon feedstocks is also prompting firms to reevaluate supply chains through the lens of sustainability consulting.
• Building and Construction: The Building and Construction segment represents approximately 13% of the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market, fueled by rising demand for green building certifications and lifecycle sustainability assessment. More than 46% of urban infrastructure projects in North America and Europe now involve ESG consultants to meet net-zero and BREEAM/LEED compliance. Consultants guide developers on sustainable procurement, embodied carbon reporting, and circular construction models. In the Asia-Pacific region, 31% of large-scale infrastructure projects now include sustainability advisory in the early design stage. The push for energy-efficient building materials and climate-resilient urban planning continues to drive demand for advisory services focused on emissions, biodiversity, and community impact.
• Agriculture: Agriculture contributes around 11% of the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market, with demand rising due to food traceability, land use impact, and water stewardship concerns. In Latin America and Southeast Asia, 38% of agribusinesses are engaging advisors to improve compliance with global sustainability standards like the Rainforest Alliance and Sustainable Agriculture Initiative. ESG consultants assist in soil health monitoring, biodiversity risk mapping, and greenhouse gas reduction planning. With increasing attention on regenerative practices, more than 25% of large farming cooperatives are working with sustainability advisors to secure funding through ESG-linked loans and certifications that enable export market access.
• Food and Beverage: The Food and Beverage sector comprises nearly 12% of the advisory market, focused on ethical sourcing, sustainable packaging, and nutrition-related impact assessments. Over 44% of global food producers are now disclosing ESG metrics with support from consultants, particularly in areas like deforestation-free supply chains and labor rights audits. Advisory firms offer lifecycle analysis, water usage assessments, and carbon neutrality strategy development. With consumer preference shifting toward responsible brands, 33% of mid-size food brands in Europe and North America are adopting ESG advisory frameworks to support retailer scorecards and investor reporting obligations. Transparency in food value chains is a key priority across the segment.
• Mining: Mining accounts for approximately 10% of the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market, heavily focused on tailings management, community engagement, and land rehabilitation. Nearly 53% of the world’s top 50 mining firms utilize ESG advisors to align with ICMM guidelines and carbon-neutral transition goals. Consultants provide impact assessments, human rights due diligence, and reporting strategy for ESG frameworks like SASB and TCFD. In Africa and Australia, 29% of mining companies are integrating ESG due diligence into project feasibility and investment planning. Sustainability advisory is crucial in building ESG credentials for new mineral extraction projects, especially for critical minerals used in EVs and clean energy.
• Oil and Gas: The Oil and Gas industry represents about 14% of the advisory market, with decarbonization, methane tracking, and transition risk being major priorities. In the U.S. and Middle East, 47% of upstream and midstream operators have onboarded ESG advisory partners for emissions reporting, flaring control, and ESG-linked financing. Advisory firms assist in scenario modeling, stakeholder mapping, and social license frameworks. With carbon capture and hydrogen entering strategy roadmaps, sustainability advisory helps energy firms assess infrastructure alignment and net-zero compatibility. Public scrutiny and energy transition policies are accelerating the need for transparent, science-based sustainability strategies in this sector.
• Other Industries: The “Other” category includes financial services, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, contributing around 24% of total market share. ESG advisory in these sectors covers sustainable finance, gender and inclusion metrics, health access, and ethical supply chain transformation. In financial services, 58% of investment firms are integrating ESG advisory to meet SFDR and TCFD alignment needs. Logistics firms work with consultants on fleet decarbonization and packaging circularity. Pharmaceutical firms focus on equitable access, clinical trial ethics, and sustainable manufacturing. These diverse sectors are expanding their ESG commitments, using advisory services to fulfill evolving regulatory obligations and stakeholder expectations.

Regional Outlook

The ESG and Sustainability Advisory market shows varied growth dynamics across global regions due to policy maturity, investor pressure, and sustainability reporting adoption. North America and Europe lead the market in terms of regulatory readiness and ESG-linked capital markets. Asia-Pacific is rapidly emerging with regional taxonomies and national sustainability mandates, while the Middle East & Africa are strengthening ESG advisory through sovereign investment strategies and climate resilience planning. Regional differences in ESG data quality, stakeholder engagement culture, and industry-specific transition pathways significantly influence how advisory services are adopted and scaled in each market.

North America

North America holds a leading position in the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market, primarily driven by the U.S. and Canada. In 2023, 61% of Fortune 500 companies engaged ESG advisory services to prepare for SEC climate disclosure rules and investor demands. Over 43% of institutional investors in the region integrate ESG benchmarks into portfolio decision-making, prompting asset managers to seek reporting and audit support. Canada’s carbon pricing framework and growing green finance sector contributed to a 38% increase in sustainability roadmap requests. Tech firms and large energy players in the U.S. have onboarded ESG advisors to achieve climate commitments and reduce scope 3 emissions exposure across digital and supply ecosystems.

Europe

Europe represents one of the most mature regions for ESG advisory, accounting for over 34% of the global market. Regulatory mandates such as CSRD, SFDR, and EU Taxonomy have driven 68% of public companies to formalize ESG reporting. Germany, France, and the Nordics lead ESG data assurance adoption, with 47% of sustainability disclosures undergoing third-party audit. In the UK, 55% of asset owners use sustainability advisors to align with stewardship codes and transition plan disclosures. ESG strategy consulting demand is surging in financial services, manufacturing, and real estate, with Europe showing the highest growth in double materiality analysis and biodiversity impact strategy engagements.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is rapidly expanding in the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market, supported by green finance growth, national ESG disclosure rules, and regional climate goals. In 2023, 53% of listed firms in Japan, Singapore, and Australia utilized advisory services to align with regional taxonomies and net-zero commitments. China saw a 42% rise in ESG reporting engagements as regulatory authorities emphasized sustainable capital market reforms. Southeast Asia is emerging as a climate-finance hotspot, with 37% of green bond issuers seeking ESG certification support. ESG advisory demand is also rising among conglomerates in India and South Korea, where sustainability strategy integration is becoming critical to business continuity, global supply chain inclusion, and investor engagement.

Middle East & Africa

In the Middle East & Africa, the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is gaining traction, driven by national visions, energy transition mandates, and sovereign fund sustainability alignment. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, 46% of large-cap companies engaged advisors for ESG reporting aligned to regional taxonomies and ESG indices. Africa's ESG ecosystem is evolving, with 31% of mining and agriculture firms partnering with sustainability consultants to meet export regulations and attract impact capital. South Africa leads in ESG disclosure, with 44% of listed firms producing integrated sustainability reports. Across the region, ESG advisory supports environmental permitting, stakeholder mapping, and sustainable finance advisory for renewable energy, logistics, and infrastructure projects.

List of Key ESG and Sustainability Advisory Market Companies Profiled

• L.E.K. Consulting
• Roland Berger
• PA Consulting Group (Jacobs)
• Bain and Company
• ERM
• DSS Sustainable Solutions
• SGS
• Boston Consulting Group
• WSP
• Sphera
• McKinsey and Company
• Deloitte
• Ramboll Group
• BearingPoint
• Accenture
• Arup
• EY
• Tata Consultancy Services
• KPMG
• PwC

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Global investment in the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market is growing, as advisory firms expand capacity to meet mounting disclosure, climate, and risk management needs. In 2023, over 39% of ESG-focused VC and PE funding was directed at ESG advisory technology partnerships and consulting platforms. North America and Europe led this activity, accounting for 66% of global ESG advisory-related investment. In Asia-Pacific, local consulting alliances and sustainability bootcamps gained traction, with 28% of market entrants receiving early-stage funding to build climate analytics and supply chain traceability tools.

Institutional clients are increasing engagement budgets for advisory firms that offer integrated ESG strategy, risk, reporting, and impact measurement services. In Europe, sustainability-led M&A due diligence services have seen a 31% increase. Demand for cross-sector expertise is prompting investment in AI-based scenario analysis, emissions simulation software, and digital stakeholder platforms. Opportunities are also growing in mid-market advisory segments, where 44% of businesses seek on-demand ESG support through modular service models. Strategic focus areas include biodiversity offset advisory, ESG-linked credit frameworks, and green procurement strategy. This reflects a shift toward proactive ESG integration beyond compliance, creating long-term advisory revenue opportunities across regions.

New Product Development

Innovation in the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market has accelerated, with firms launching integrated platforms, digital tools, and modular frameworks for cross-sector ESG transformation. Deloitte unveiled a sustainability performance platform that combines Scope 3 tracking, ESG audit support, and real-time benchmarking across industries, with 24% of Fortune 100 companies already piloting the system. McKinsey launched a Net-Zero Pathways toolkit that supports carbon modeling, cost-benefit analysis, and transition finance alignment for heavy-emitting sectors. Accenture introduced ESG integration APIs for ERP systems, adopted by 31% of manufacturing clients in early trials.

In Asia, Tata Consultancy Services launched a multilingual ESG assessment platform for companies in India, Japan, and Southeast Asia, enabling faster compliance reporting. Ramboll developed a nature-based solutions tool for biodiversity impact modeling, now used by 36% of infrastructure advisory clients. EY expanded its climate scenario modeling tools to include water risk forecasting and social equity analysis. Across the market, more than 40% of firms added sustainability-linked loan advisory modules to support green finance access. These new solutions reflect growing demand for precision, automation, and cross-functional integration in ESG program design and execution.

Recent Developments

• Deloitte launched ESG Digital Navigator in Q4 2023, with adoption by 42% of U.S. advisory clients in energy and finance sectors.
• McKinsey added Just Transition metrics to its ESG audit framework in early 2024, supporting 19% of EU climate-aligned corporates.
• ERM acquired a biodiversity-focused advisory firm in Q3 2023, expanding global ecosystem impact service coverage by 27%.
• Accenture introduced ESG Supply Chain Insights platform with AI-driven traceability in 2024, now piloted by 11 major retailers.
• Arup published an ESG playbook for infrastructure projects, adopted by 38% of EU urban planning boards by mid-2024.

Report Coverage

This report on the ESG and Sustainability Advisory market offers in-depth coverage of industry dynamics, regulatory triggers, investment trends, service segmentation, and innovation patterns across global markets. It includes segmentation by type (ESG Advisory, Sustainability Advisory) and by application (Chemicals, Construction, Agriculture, F&B, Mining, Oil & Gas, Others). Regional analysis spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa, supported by 200+ visual charts, 100+ expert interviews, and ESG maturity benchmarking across sectors.

The report profiles 20+ leading players, including Deloitte, McKinsey, EY, Accenture, and Tata Consultancy Services, with analysis of their offerings, market positioning, and innovation pipelines. It tracks new product rollouts, M&A activity, ESG data technology integration, and talent trends shaping the advisory landscape. Key opportunities include SME sustainability onboarding, green finance strategy, and biodiversity service innovation. Designed for strategy leaders, compliance officers, and investment professionals, this report supports informed decision-making in a complex, fast-evolving ESG advisory landscape.