Organisations face rising pressure to act on sustainability, from cutting emissions and meeting ESG regulations to delivering transparent reporting. However, for many, one key question remains: should we hire a sustainability consultant or invest in sustainability training for employees?
At first glance, both options seem equally valid. A business sustainability consultant brings specialist expertise, while training builds skills and culture within your workforce. The decision isn’t just about preference; it’s about long-term impact, cost, and resilience. The guide below explores the role of consultants, the benefits of training, and how to weigh up the cost and ROI of each approach.
What does a sustainability consultant do?
A sustainability consultant is typically an external advisor brought in to guide organisations on strategy, compliance, and reporting. They may also be referred to as a sustainability reporting consultant when their focus is specifically on disclosures.
Core responsibilities of a sustainability consultant include:
- Designing corporate sustainability strategies and roadmaps.
- Supporting regulatory compliance – for example, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TFCD).
- Preparing sustainability and ESG reports in line with frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), or the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
- Identifying ESG risks and opportunities across the value chain.
- Advising on stakeholder engagement, from investors to customers.
Advantages of working with a consultant:
- Access to deep, technical expertise.
- Speed in navigating complex reporting frameworks.
- An objective, external perspective on business practices.
Limitations to consider:
- Consultants are expensive, with daily fees that add up quickly.
- Knowledge often stays external – your teams may not build their own capability.
- Once the project ends, the value can fade without strong follow-through.
In short, a sustainability consultant is best for organisations that need immediate compliance support or strategic clarity, but the model is less effective for long-term capability building.
Equip your teams with skills to cut consultancy costs and
embed lasting expertise
The case for sustainability training
Sustainability training for employees takes a different approach. Instead of relying on external expertise, it equips teams with the knowledge and skills to integrate sustainability into daily decision-making.
Corporate sustainability training can include:
- Short courses on ESG reporting, net zero, and circular economy principles.
- Sector-specific modules tailored to industry needs.
- Workshops and simulations to put theory into practice.
- Ongoing access to updated content and sustainability training courses online.
Why training matters:
- Builds internal expertise, reducing reliance on consultants.
- Fosters a culture of accountability and ownership.
- Improves employee engagement and retention, especially for younger generations motivated by purpose.
- Scales easily across departments, ensuring sustainability isn’t siloed.
- Unlocks innovation – when employees are trained and empowered, they spot opportunities and create solutions that external advisors may miss.
Ultimately, the knowledge gained from training remains with your organisation, embedding culture, empowering teams, and delivering ROI over time.
Cost, impact, and ROI: A comparison
When weighing up a sustainability consultant against sustainability training courses, cost is often the first consideration. But real value comes from understanding the impact and ROI of each approach over time.
Cost: upfront spend vs scalable investment
Hiring a business sustainability consultant can be expensive. Daily rates often range between €700 and €1,200. Large projects can quickly run into tens of thousands of euros. For smaller companies, this level of investment can feel prohibitive.
By contrast, sustainability training for employees is typically more affordable and scalable. Subscription models and accredited corporate sustainability training programmes can be rolled out to teams for a fraction of the cost of consultancy fees.
Impact: quick wins vs cultural change
A sustainability reporting consultant can deliver immediate impact, whether that’s preparing a CSRD-compliant report, designing a net zero roadmap, or helping secure external assurance. However, the value is often tied to the consultant’s presence. Once the project ends, momentum can stall if internal teams aren’t equipped to continue the work.
Training delivers impact more gradually, but with deeper roots. By equipping employees with knowledge through sustainability training courses, organisations create a culture where sustainability becomes embedded in everyday decision-making. The effect compounds over time.
ROI: project-specific vs long-term capability
ROI is where the difference becomes most visible. Consultants can deliver short-term returns, like helping a business avoid fines, meet investor demands, or secure a new contract. However, without follow-up, the ROI plateaus once the consultant steps away.
On the other hand, sustainability training builds permanent capacity. Trained employees can apply their learning repeatedly, improving efficiency, reducing waste, enhancing compliance, and strengthening brand credibility. This means the ROI grows year on year, often far exceeding the initial cost of training.
Ultimately, consultants may provide short-term value for specific projects, but training is the more sustainable investment for long-term growth and resilience.
Build in-house sustainability capability and reduce long-term reliance on consultants
When to choose consulting vs training
The reality is, most organisations will benefit from both at different stages. In saying that, there are clear scenarios where one is the smarter choice.
Choose a sustainability consultant if:
- You need urgent support with regulatory compliance or reporting.
- Your business is new to ESG and requires a roadmap.
- You need independent assurance or benchmarking against peers.
Choose sustainability training if:
- You want to reduce reliance on costly external consultants.
- You’re embedding sustainability into long-term strategy.
- You want scalable, cost-effective knowledge across teams.
Best practice: Many organisations bring in a consultant for initial strategy, then invest in B2B sustainability training to embed that strategy internally. This hybrid approach combines external expertise with lasting capability.
Final verdict: Which is better?
The choice between a sustainability consultant and sustainability training courses depends on your needs. Consultants deliver speed and expertise, while training builds internal culture and resilience.
For most businesses, the highest ROI comes from investing in people. Consultants may solve short-term challenges, but sustainability training for employees ensures knowledge stays within your organisation, supports compliance, and unlocks innovation.
With accredited sustainability courses online, organisations can scale training across teams, embed ESG into operations, and prepare for the future. Explore our corporate sustainability training to see how ISS can help your organisation build internal capability and accelerate measurable impact.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between a sustainability consultant and sustainability training?
A consultant provides external expertise, while training builds skills within your workforce.
2. Is hiring a sustainability consultant worth it?
Yes, particularly for compliance and reporting projects. In saying that, costs can add up, and internal knowledge may not grow.
3. What are the benefits of sustainability training for employees?
Training empowers teams, reduces consultancy dependence, and builds a culture of accountability.
4. Can you combine consulting and training?
Yes, many organisations use consultants for strategy and training to embed that strategy internally.
5. What are the best sustainability training courses UK businesses can access?
The Institute of Sustainability Studies (ISS) provides a wide range of accredited, expert-led training programmes designed to meet the real-world needs of organisations. Our courses cover core topics such as ESG reporting, net zero, and circular economy, and we also design bespoke corporate sustainability training tailored to the unique goals, challenges, and industry context of our clients. Find out more here.
Dedicated to harnessing the power of storytelling to raise awareness, demystify, and drive behavioural change, Bronagh works as the Communications & Content Manager at the Institute of Sustainability Studies. Alongside her work with ISS, Bronagh contributes articles to several news media publications on sustainability and mental health.
