Global Corporate Survey 2024: Climate Change Consulting Buyers’ Budgets, Priorities & Vendor Preferences
01 Dec, 2023
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Executive Summary
This report, based on findings from a survey of 151 climate leaders, offers insights into the climate change consulting market and buyer preferences and intentions. The data were gathered via telephone interviews with corporate executives across 20 countries and 10 industry groups. The report finds that organizations are struggling with data collection and are anticipating significant spend increases on consulting services to assist them with a range of technical projects. Service firms can use this study to help them align their strategies with buyer demands.
Global survey reveals corporate climate change consulting priorities
Global survey features 151 climate executives across geographies and industries
Spend analysis isolates those firms growing their consulting spend the most
Leaders are engaging consultants to support expanding climate agendas
Executive agendas, pushed by climate reporting regulations, increase services spend
Organizations seek specialist consultants for climate data and disclosure support
The greatest opportunity for consultants lies in technical support
High-spend buyers wrestle with data availability and collection challenges
Big spenders pursue specialized climate strategy execution projects
Digital capabilities and differentiated partnerships are top buyer priorities
Global survey features 151 climate executives across geographies and industries
Spend analysis isolates those firms growing their consulting spend the most
Leaders are engaging consultants to support expanding climate agendas
Executive agendas, pushed by climate reporting regulations, increase services spend
Organizations seek specialist consultants for climate data and disclosure support
The greatest opportunity for consultants lies in technical support
High-spend buyers wrestle with data availability and collection challenges
Big spenders pursue specialized climate strategy execution projects
Digital capabilities and differentiated partnerships are top buyer priorities
Figure 1. Survey respondents represent three geographical regions
Figure 2. Survey respondents represent industries with varied business models
Figure 3. Demands from operational leaders are most often cited as a very likely driver of spend
Figure 4. Technical climate change consulting projects are the top buyer priority
Figure 5. Firms plan to engage consultants primarily for emissions data assurance projects
Figure 6. Disclosure management, and mitigation and adaptation services, will see the most growth
Figure 7. Data availability is the biggest obstacle to climate risk analysis for high spenders
Figure 8. Budget constraints and limited data availability are obstacles to big spenders’ carbon management efforts
Figure 9. High-spend buyers reach for carbon data management and net zero strategy services
Figure 10. High-spend buyers prioritize climate mitigation and adaptation strategy and implementation
Figure 11. Partnerships and digital capabilities are top criteria for high-spend consulting buyers
Figure 12. Fixed-sum projects and embedded consultants are high priorities for big spenders
Figure 2. Survey respondents represent industries with varied business models
Figure 3. Demands from operational leaders are most often cited as a very likely driver of spend
Figure 4. Technical climate change consulting projects are the top buyer priority
Figure 5. Firms plan to engage consultants primarily for emissions data assurance projects
Figure 6. Disclosure management, and mitigation and adaptation services, will see the most growth
Figure 7. Data availability is the biggest obstacle to climate risk analysis for high spenders
Figure 8. Budget constraints and limited data availability are obstacles to big spenders’ carbon management efforts
Figure 9. High-spend buyers reach for carbon data management and net zero strategy services
Figure 10. High-spend buyers prioritize climate mitigation and adaptation strategy and implementation
Figure 11. Partnerships and digital capabilities are top criteria for high-spend consulting buyers
Figure 12. Fixed-sum projects and embedded consultants are high priorities for big spenders
About the Authors
Alice Saunders
Industry Analyst
Alice is an Industry Analyst in the Verdantix Net Zero & Climate Risk practice. Her current research agenda focuses on climate risk solutions and biodiversity. Alice holds…
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Ryan Skinner
Research Director
Ryan is a Research Director at Verdantix, where he leads a team of analysts delivering research, data and advisory services that help clients navigate the fast-evolving landsc…
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