A Growing Opportunity
With growing talk of environmental concerns, businesses are increasingly bombarded by consumers and regulators who demand that they transition to more environmentally sustainable ways of doing business. While large corporations are sometimes able to implement a full sustainability strategy, small businesses may not have the financial or the expertise to do the same. In this gap lies an opportunity that only sustainability consults are seeing and targeting: those who are here to help small businesses go green. In conjunction with its ability to impact the environment for the better this field is growing, along with potential for career growth as sustainability is beginning to be at the forefront of the business world.
Sustainability Consulting
While small businesses are important to the U.S. economy, many do not have the means to adapt to more environmentally friendly practices because of budget constraints or a lack of knowledge or both, according to the EPA. But as consumers are now making not only cost but also eco-friendliness a major consideration for their choice of products and services; small businesses have gradually realized the need to cut their carbon footprint and practice better environmental approaches. Also, effective with this moment, small businesses face increasingly stringent environmental regulations by governments at local, state and federal levels, causing them to introduce greener systems to operate.
There are many areas where small businesses can profit from, sustainable practices as it will mean reduced waste and better energy efficiency. Unsurprisingly, it can be overwhelming to start implementing these changes without someone to support you. That is where sustainability consultants come in; providing practical and cost effective solutions suited to the individual needs of your business.
Where a sustainability consultant can make a difference
Sustainability consultants for small businesses typically focus on several key areas to help clients improve their environmental impact:
Waste Reduction:
Although many small businesses produce large amounts of waste, a consultant can assist them in utilizing waste reduction strategies like composting, recycling, using materials instead of one time material. Changes in packaging might be suggested or alternatives to single use plastics suggested by a sustainability consultant.
Energy Efficiency:
Upgrading to more energy efficient systems of lighting, heating and cooling can often help small businesses reduce energy consumption. Changes in operational practice can be recommended by consultants that optimize production schedules to minimize energy usage during peak hours.
Sustainable Sourcing:
Another area where sustainability consultants help add value is helping businesses source materials and products that are environmentally friendly. For instance, directing suppliers that use sustainable farming or manufacturing practices and suggesting sourcing eco friendly materials can cut down a business’s burden on the environment.
Carbon Footprint Analysis:
Carbon footprint analysis is offered by some sustainability consultants to help them measure and monitor your greenhouse gas emissions. Consultants can help businesses offset their carbon footprints, and in some cases even go carbon neutral, by identifying places to reduce emissions.
Regulatory Compliance:
In the current business climate, as the regulations tightening over sustainability, businesses may require assistance understanding and complying with new laws. Now, having a consultant would help a business work through the compliance process and ensure that they meet both local and international environmental standards.
Consulting on sustainability has grown.
The number of small businesses asking for help from a sustainability consultant has grown because of the increasing demand for ecofriendly practices. With environmental issues becoming more critical, consumers want businesses to buy into them and help support their concerns. In reaction, small businesses are realizing that long term adoption of sustainable practices will lead to benefits in the form of better brand perception, loyal customers and cost savings.
In addition, the green economy has seen the rise of companies looking to place sustainability at the forefront at what is a competitive advantage. Seventy three percent of consumers are willing to pay more for products from companies with sustainability commitment — this is indicated in the 2020 Nielsen report. This gives small businesses a strong incentive to make the switch to greener practices and sustainability consultants are ideally suited to backing this shift.
Sustainability consultants excel at living sustainably, and that comes with potential for some earnings down the line.
Small business entrepreneurs especially stand to earn big from sustainability consulting, now that more companies catch wind of green is the new brown. Hourly rate is usually charged by consultants or they may offer the services custom made packages. Rates typically run somewhere between $50 to $150 per hour, although some consultants charge more for their particular expertise or long– term work.
Sustainability consultants can provide a steady stream of clients, as well as long term value to businesses looking to embrace sustainability without trading off their bottom line, by offering services like energy audits, waste reduction strategies, or compliance advice.
Conclusion
Sustainability consulting for small business is a growing field and one that is currently experiencing growth in popularity. Additionally, because demand for sustainable practices continues to accelerate, there is expanding demand for trained consultants to help small businesses minimize their environmental footprint. Instead, by reducing waste, being energy efficient, using sustainable sources, and meeting local regulations, you can carve your place in the green economy that is growing today. Sustainability consulting is a rewarding career path, provides potential for long term business growth, and has relatively low competition, with the potential to make a positive impact on the planetadi the same time.