Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Consulting Market Report 2025

The environmental, social and governance (esg) consulting market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $10.42 billion in 2024 to $11.9 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing regulatory pressure, rising investor demand for sustainable practices, growing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, expanding green finance and sustainable investments, and early adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks by large corporations.

The environmental, social and governance (esg) consulting market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.95 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stricter global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations, rising demand for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risk assessment, increasing corporate focus on carbon neutrality, expanding integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in financial decision-making, and growing emphasis on supply chain sustainability. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting technology, continuous innovations in sustainable business strategies, rapid developments in climate risk assessment tools, increasing research and development in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analytics, and evolving artificial intelligence (AI)-driven environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance solutions.

The forecast of 13.8% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.1% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. The imposition of tariffs could challenge U.S. corporations by raising expenses for environmental, social and governance data analytics platforms and sustainability reporting tools sourced from Denmark and Singapore, potentially slowing ESG adoption while increasing compliance overhead. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing emphasis on sustainability within the corporate world is expected to drive the expansion of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting market. Sustainability in business refers to a company’s commitment to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner while maintaining economic growth. As businesses face increasing pressure from consumers, investors, and governments to adopt responsible practices, ESG consulting helps guide companies in integrating sustainability into their operations. This shift toward sustainability is driven by rising consumer demand for environmentally conscious practices and the need to mitigate climate-related risks. ESG consultants provide strategies for meeting regulatory requirements, enhancing corporate responsibility, and improving long-term financial performance. For example, according to the Governance and Accountability Institute (G&A), in 2023, 93% of Russell 1000 companies published sustainability reports, up from 90% in 2022. Therefore, the increasing significance of sustainability in business is fueling the growth of the ESG consulting market.

Leading companies in the ESG consulting market are focusing on developing advanced tools and solutions for ESG reporting and data management to help businesses enhance transparency, comply with regulations, and promote sustainable growth. These advanced tools enable corporations to efficiently collect, analyze, and disclose data related to their environmental impact, social responsibilities, and governance practices. For instance, in August 2024, Microsoft Corporation introduced Project Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting, a new tool designed to assist companies in creating, reviewing, and approving ESG reports across various standards and frameworks. This tool helps organizations address the complexities of reporting within both voluntary and regulatory frameworks, further empowering businesses to make informed, sustainable decisions.

In October 2024, SLR Consulting Limited, a UK-based sustainability firm, acquired Malk Partners for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition strengthens SLR's capabilities in delivering specialized investment solutions by incorporating Malk’s expertise in ESG strategy, impact investing, and sustainability consulting. This strategic move is intended to accelerate SLR’s growth, broaden its client base, and reinforce its position in the ESG consulting market. Malk Partners, a US-based provider, specializes in ESG strategy integration, sustainability consulting, and corporate social responsibility, making it an ideal addition to SLR's offerings.

Major players in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) consulting market are Accenture plc, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, Ernst&Young, KPMG International Limited, TATA Consultancy Services Limited, McKinsey & Company, BDO Global, Boston Consulting Group Inc., Jacobs Solutions Inc., WSP Global, Nasdaq Composite, Wolters Kluwer, Arcadis NV, Crowe LLP, Workiva, Antea Group, Diligent Corporation, Inogen Alliance, and Sphera Solutions.

North America was the largest region in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) consulting market in 2024. The regions covered in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as consulting, integration and deployment, support, and maintenance. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are taking a toll on the professional services sector, especially within legal, consulting, architectural, and engineering fields. Increased duties on imported technology, software, office hardware, and digital infrastructure have pushed up operational costs for firms that rely on global systems and resources. Cross-border consulting engagements are experiencing delays and higher expenses due to elevated travel costs and limited access to international data and tools. Moreover, industries heavily impacted by tariffs such as manufacturing, construction, and logistics are reducing their reliance on outsourced services, dampening demand for professional support. In response, service providers are reassessing pricing models, strengthening ties with domestic vendors, and accelerating the adoption of AI and automation to maintain profitability and client satisfaction in an increasingly volatile environment.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting refers to advisory services that assist businesses in integrating sustainable practices, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting corporate responsibility. These services help companies enhance their environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance frameworks to improve long-term financial performance and build stakeholder trust.

The main types of ESG consulting services include strategy and planning, testing, auditing and verification, technical support, sustainability marketing, and other specialized services. ESG strategy and planning focuses on creating a structured approach for incorporating environmental, social, and governance factors into business operations, setting sustainability goals, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. These services are delivered through both direct and indirect channels and are utilized across various industries such as information technology, healthcare, communication services, industrial sectors, consumer goods, insurance, financial services, real estate, and more.

The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting market statistics, including the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting market share, detailed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting industry. This environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.