Strategic Consulting in the Sustainability Era

Strategic consulting is increasingly recognized as a multidisciplinary discipline that brings together diverse expertise to support organizations in achieving sustainable, long-term goals. In response to the growing demand for sustainability-driven transformation, today’s consultants are expected not only to optimize costs and maximize returns on investment, but also to embed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the core of business strategy. By aligning business models with ESG imperatives, strategic consultants play a pivotal role in helping organizations build resilience, ensure regulatory compliance, and gain competitive advantage in an increasingly complex and dynamic global environment. The Chapter “Strategic Consulting in the Sustainability Era” serves as an introduction to the book, which offers a comprehensive exploration of the consultant’s key functions, responsibilities, and essential competencies. It also presents a practical framework to guide professionals in addressing sustainability-related strategic challenges through tailored advisory services. Special attention is given to consultants operating within the intricate European regulatory landscape. Europe has long positioned itself as a global leader in sustainability, distinguished by its pioneering policy frameworks, regulatory innovation, and consistent progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this end, this chapter introduces the European Green Deal (EGD), the EU’s flagship strategy aimed at transforming Europe into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, with the overarching goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This chapter outlines also the EGD’s key implementation policies and provides a practical overview of the normative framework that sustainability consultants must navigate, equipping them with the knowledge needed to operate effectively in this evolving context.