net zero consultant

Hire a net zero consultant

Everything you need to know about a net zero carbon consultant - what they do and where to hire them.

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What do they do?

A Net Zero Consultant helps businesses reduce emissions and build a clear, credible path to net zero. They bring hands-on expertise in energy efficiency, carbon measurement, renewable energy, and offsetting so you can make progress that’s real, measurable and compliant.

They assess where emissions are coming from, design practical strategies to cut them, and support delivery at every stage. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling an existing sustainability programme, a consultant provides the skills and support to move faster and with confidence.

Example Projects Led by a Net Zero Consultant

Carbon Footprint Assessment
A Net Zero Consultant starts by calculating your business’s full carbon footprint, including Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy), and often Scope 3 (value chain emissions). They benchmark emissions against regulatory thresholds and industry best practice, giving you a clear picture of where you stand. This assessment is a foundation for compliance and target-setting under frameworks like SBTi or the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Carbon Reduction Strategy
Using the footprint data, the consultant designs a carbon reduction strategy tailored to your business. This may involve switching to renewable energy, improving operational efficiency, electrifying transport, or reducing supply chain emissions. They focus on practical changes that reduce emissions and align with commercial goals. Where needed, offsetting options are considered, but only after real reductions are prioritised.

Net Zero Roadmap and Implementation
A Net Zero Consultant builds a detailed roadmap with timelines, actions, and interim targets. They help you deliver on it too, working alongside your team to monitor progress, update plans as needed, and stay aligned with evolving regulations. This ensures your path to net zero remains credible and achievable.

Sustainability Training and Employee Engagement
Consultants also run targeted training to embed sustainability into company culture. From leadership workshops to employee-wide learning programmes, they raise awareness, build capability, and drive internal ownership of your sustainability commitments.

Who a Net Zero Consultant Works With

Net Zero work is cross-functional. A consultant typically partners with:

  • C-suite executives to align climate strategy with business goals and secure senior buy-in
  • Operations, supply chain, procurement, HR and comms teams to tackle emissions in day-to-day processes
  • Sustainability leads or ESG managers to support internal delivery without requiring full-time hires

This collaboration helps embed sustainability across the business, not just into plans, but into practice.

Who Should Bring One In

Net Zero Consultants are particularly valuable for:

  • Companies in high-emission sectors like manufacturing, energy, agriculture, logistics or construction
  • Medium and large businesses with multiple sites, supply chains or operational complexity
  • Businesses responding to regulations like CSRD, UK SECR, or preparing to set science-based targets

They also make sense for sustainability teams under pressure to deliver more without expanding headcount. Hiring a consultant means gaining experienced, specialised capacity fast.

Business Benefits of Hiring a Net Zero Consultant

Bringing in a consultant delivers measurable ROI and long-term value:

  • Cost savings from reduced energy and resource use
  • Compliance with existing and upcoming carbon legislation
  • Reputation gains with investors, customers and partners who expect credible climate action
  • Future-readiness, as net zero planning becomes essential for securing supply chains, financing and long-term resilience

A consultant brings not just the plan, but the path to action, so sustainability doesn’t stall.

Example Job Description (for you to Copy and Paste)

Summary:

The Net Zero Consultant will play a pivotal role in guiding our organisation toward its sustainability goals. In line with our commitment to carbon neutrality, this specialist will assist in the development and implementation of strategies to reduce our carbon footprint.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement net-zero strategies for the organisation.
  • Collaborate with management and relevant teams to integrate carbon reduction measures across business operations.
  • Manage carbon footprinting projects and track progress towards target goals.
  • Present detailed reports and updates, including greenhouse gas inventories, to stakeholders.
  • Conduct research on cutting-edge carbon reduction technologies and practices.
  • Ensure compliance with global sustainability regulations and legislation.

Qualifications and Skills:

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, sustainability, or a related field.
  • Certifications in carbon management or sustainability.

Skills:

  • Excellent data analysis and project management skills.
  • Proficiency in carbon footprinting software.
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills.
  • Strong understanding of global sustainability regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in sustainability or a related field.

Experience Requirements:

Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in environmental consulting, specifically related to carbon management or sustainability.

Experience in corporate sustainability and implementing net-zero strategies is highly desirable.

Company Overview and Culture:

[Insert your details]

Application Process:

[Insert your details]

Sustainability done right. First time.

Clients come to Leafr for outcomes, not overhead. Here’s how our consultants deliver.

Leafr is a great solution for finding professional sustainability specialists. Especially convenient if time is short and you need to find a consultant very fast.

Anastasiya Popova
Chief BD Officer
at
Solskin

Good communication, flexible schedule and delivered exactly what was agreed and on time. Would work with her again!

Alexander Pfeiffer
CEO
at
Terralytiq

Tom helped us with calculating our carbon footprint outputs from 2019 to 2023. He managed everything end to end with minimal client direction. It was seamless and effortless. He's an excellent professional.

Bolu
COO
at
Miai

The support's been great from when we first started speaking, you wrote the brief for me and did all the sourcing. So that was fantastic. Communication has been great. The level of engagement has been brilliant.

Nick Anderdon
CFO
at
Freddies Flowers

‍Working with Leafr has been a pleasure from the beginning. Leafr has a wide network of talented individuals, and they have been able to seamlessly connect us with strong candidates for our various projects.

Lara
Partner
at
Xynteo

Leafr's marketplace boasts an extensive network of highly talented individuals. They have effortlessly connected us with great candidates. Leafr has become our go-to for skilled sustainability professionals.

Brenan Hodkinson
CRO
at
Apiday

Whenever you hire consultants you worry whether they'll be as motivated or skilled as your team. Every Leafr consultant has been so impressive. We spoke to several sustainability agencies and this has been far better value.

Guadalupe Oliver
CEO
at
Candoe

Our expert immediately became a seamless addition to our team. Her work showed a mastery of ESG and a strong understanding of the financial sector. We'd love the opportunity to work with her again.

Jess Katz
Director
at
TRIPTIK