Verdantix took a look at 16 consulting firms that offer climate change services. The resulting report provides an overview of each firm's offerings, and comes to the conclusion that ICF International is the clear leader. Verdantix points to ICF International's business analysis skills, long track record and considerable expertise.

The Verdantix report, titled Green Quadrant: Climate Change Business Consulting, was the result of interviews with all 16 firms, as well as a focus group that Verdantix arranged with 15 buyers looking for climate change consulting services. There is also information in the report covering market demand and comparing the firms' offerings.

The 16 firms are all well-established and well-known consulting companies: Bain & Company, BCG, Booz & Company, BT Global Services, dcarbon8, Deloitte, EcoSecurities, ERM, Ernst & Young, IBM Global Business Services, ICF International, KPMG, L.E.K. Consulting, McKinsey & COmpany, PwC and URS Corporation.

Verdantix's report notes that, in their interviews, they found that the majority of people seeking climate change consultants are already experts on climate change on some level: these potential clients are employees involved in corporate social responsibility, energy management or environmental strategy.

In the focus groups, Verdantix learned that a growing number of businesses are treating climate strategy as an economic issue, rather than an environmental question.  Clients want consultants who can provide financial analysis hand in hand with climate change advice.

As a whole, the opportunities for climate change consultants are growing. While firms with brand new offerings may not see a huge clientele until awareness of their services spread, firms that launched their services — or expanded them — in the last two years have had huge growth. There do seem to be some questions of credibility among clients, though, especially for consultants specializing in information technology and strategy.

This report  makes it clear that climate change consultancies are making money, despite a few questions that clients still have. There are some areas where improvements could be made for each company, but the growing demand for such services easily overwhelms that sort of need. The market is nowhere near its peak — Verdantix specifically refers to it as immature — meaning that even 16 large companies like those interviewed still haveplenty of room to expand.

As a firm, Verdantix is known for their climate change reports, which range from analysis of carbon markets to best practices for corporate social responsibility. Their reports are available for purchase through the Verdantix website.

Image — Verdantix