There are a few different types of us! Generally a sustainability consultant will help businesses develop and implement strategies to reduce their environmental impact, use resources more efficiently, and operate in a socially responsible way (i.e. be better overall). Some consultants focus more on the more technical aspects - measuring your emissions or mapping your supply chain; others are focused on marketing. Find out a little bit more about what I do here.

The UN defines sustainability as “meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This should be done by balancing environmental, social and economic sustainability. For businesses this can be related back to the ‘triple bottom line’ approach of planet / people / profit.

Sustainability matters because it helps protect our environment, ensures long-term economic health, and promotes social equity, all of which are crucial for a healthy planet and prosperous societies. For businesses, sustainability is increasingly important to ensure long-term economic growth. See further down the FAQs for some of the benefits to businesses.

Sustainability is a broad concept focused on long-term environmental, social, and economic health, while ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) refers to specific criteria used to evaluate a company's impact and ethical practices, usually by investors. For more insight on this topic, read my blog post, which talks about the various terms and what they mean.

Sustainability reporting is the practice of disclosing a business’s environmental, social, and economic impacts, showing both its ambitions and its progress, and illustrating its commitment to transparency. In the UK some larger businesses, and those who trade in the EU, are subject to mandatory reporting. Others report voluntarily - often as a framework to share info and engage with investors or customers.

The choice of reporting framework depends on your business’s goals and stakeholders' needs, but popular options include the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

The benefits of sustainability include increased business and/or better relationships with customers, a better employer brand, improved efficiency, reduced costs (over time), enhanced reputation, increased resilience and better risk management, and compliance with regulations.

The short answer is, yes, sustainability can be profitable, as it often leads to improved brand reputation, customer loyalty, and new business opportunities. It can also open businesses up to more efficient processes and cost savings - though the latter may require some initial cost outlay.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global goals set by the United Nations to address major world challenges, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation, to achieve a better and more sustainable future by 2030.

A sustainability strategy helps your business to align with global standards, improve efficiency, mitigate risks, enhance reputation, and meet the growing expectations of consumers, investors, and regulators. It also acts as a call to action for employees, helping them to understand the jobs to be done and their part to play. A robust sustainability strategy should be fully embedded into the business and an integral part of the overall business strategy.

Whilst sustainability is not the only thing you should be communicating, building it into the mix and ensuring you engage with the right people in the right way, can demonstrate commitment to show transparency, build trust with stakeholders, demonstrate commitment to ethical practices, and differentiate your brand in a market increasingly focused on responsible business.

Greenwashing is when a business misleadingly promotes its products, practices, or policies as environmentally friendly when they are not, to appear more sustainable than they actually are.

To avoid greenwashing, ensure your sustainability claims are accurate, supported by evidence, and transparently communicated, focusing on genuine and measurable actions rather than just marketing messages.