Traditional ESG consulting models are falling short in today’s environment. Learn how ESG advisory is evolving through value-led, capacity-building partnerships that meet real business needs.

Traditional ESG consulting is evolving - here’s what’s next

Let’s call it: traditional ESG consulting has flatlined.

The frameworks have been filed. The reports are gathering dust. The sermons have been delivered and still, the transformation isn’t happening at the scale or speed we need.

So, let’s hold a moment of silence for the cookie-cutter templates and then get to work, because we need to stop preaching and start partnering.

Here’s how we’re reshaping ESG advice at Edge.

If you’ve been in the ESG space for a while, you’ve likely felt it too, the last 12-18 months have been some of the most volatile and challenging of our careers.

Between the introduction of mandatory climate disclosures, tightening budgets, and a political landscape that seems to shift by the week, the ground beneath ESG professionals is anything but stable.

Whether you’re a long-time sustainability lead or someone newly tasked with managing ESG, you’ve probably noticed it’s no longer business as usual.

While some of these pressures may be temporary, there’s no doubt: the way organisations manage ESG risks and opportunities is shifting, and likely for the long term. And this isn’t just anecdotal. I spend most of my working days speaking with individuals managing ESG internally within organisations, and the message is loud and clear:

The type and format of ESG support that organisations need has changed.

What’s equally clear is that, broadly speaking, the ESG advisory sector has been slow to adapt.

We’re increasingly seeing signs of consultant fatigue. Organisations on their second or third ESG advisor because outputs “aren’t the right fit”, consultants are “not speaking our language”, or deliverables feel like “cookie-cutter outputs.”

While this kind of feedback isn’t new, the growing backlash, especially toward the Big Four, is sending a strong message:

The traditional ESG advisory model is no longer fit for purpose.

So, whether you're looking to engage an ESG advisor, or are one yourself, now is the time to reflect. 

Not just on how ESG is changing, but how our approach to advisory must change with it.

Mandatory climate disclosures have shifted internal ESG ownership. We're now spending more time with CFOs and finance teams than with sustainability leads.

These stakeholders may have less experience in ESG detail, but they bring high expectations around governance, risk, and financial literacy.

As a result, they expect their advisors to match that. Unfortunately, this shift has also resulted in some highly experienced ESG teams being made redundant as responsibility migrates from sustainability to finance.

With economic pressure building, ESG budgets are among the first to be cut. Projects are taking longer to get approved, and every dollar of consulting spend is being closely scrutinised.

The era of $200K+ ESG strategy projects is fading fast. What we’re seeing instead is demand for smaller, more agile, bite-sized engagements that deliver value incrementally.

Rising scrutiny on greenwashing and target feasibility is forcing a rethink. Organisations are shifting away from bold, visionary ESG targets and focusing more on how ESG integrates with core risk, governance, and operations. The priority is no longer setting goals, but embedding practices.

Where in-house ESG teams remain, they’re highly capable and technically literate. These teams want meaningful engagement, not templated reports. The ask is increasingly: “teach us to do it,” rather than “do it for us.” They want to grow their skills, not outsource them.

With ESG ownership shifting to legal and finance, we’re seeing greater scrutiny over project scoping and contracting. Contract terms are tighter, sign-off times are slower, and the expectation for clarity and accountability is much higher.

They’re changing the entire model of how ESG advice needs to be delivered.

At Edge Impact, our priority is delivering real impact alongside our clients while helping them build the internal capability to drive sustainable value.

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The Edge Round-Up

Discover why experience is crucial in identifying climate risks and opportunities. Learn how partnering with specialised advisors like Edge Impact ensures compliance and strategic value in your climate disclosure and reporting journey.

The top 5 reasons why experience matters when identifying climate risks and opportunities

Written by 
Max Van Biene, Global Head of Client Impact

The introduction of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards has sparked an inundation of advisory businesses claiming they can support clients on their climate disclosure and reporting journey.

However, it is becoming increasingly clear that very few have the proven experience or pedigree in climate risk assessment and scenario analysis to ensure outputs provide strategic or operational value. This results in organisations feeling they do not receive value for their consulting spend and possibly in non-compliance to the requirements of the new disclosure standards.

Instead, working with advisors that specialise in climate and sustainability, such as Edge Impact, will ensure that the outputs are evidence-based, fit-for-purpose, understandable for all stakeholders, and leverage the significant experience in climate risk assessment across a range of sectors and industries.  

Laura Reed, Principal Consultant, Governance & Transparency

The message from government and regulators is clear: companies should start preparing now for mandatory climate-related financial disclosure by planning across governance, strategy, risk management, metrics and targets.

Leveraging quantifiable data-led insights

Access and understanding of climate change models and scenarios on the physical exposure of the business to extreme climate events provide a tangible, science-led evidence base upon which to prioritise risks and make decisions.

Utilising sector-level or industry-specific insights

Application of climate risks and opportunities that are common across industries or sectors enable efficiency of delivery and a common baseline for analysis across peers and supply chains. For example, the application of previous analysis on the impact of extreme heat on health care providers, or the impact of extreme weather on certain regions on agricultural yields. These efficiencies can only be realised through using a provider that has done this work before. 

Translating risks and opportunities into on-ground action

Experienced climate risk practitioners will be able to help translate key insights into operational, on-ground mitigation actions. This provides more than just a risk register but an operational action plan engaging multiple business units. 

Conducting a ‘dry run’ before due date

Effective support should enable your business to complete a full ‘dry run’ of climate disclosure reporting before the due date, mitigating your compliance risk.

Truly experienced advisors will understand the nuisance and mindset of various teams when it comes to understanding climate risk. From your executive team to your risk and finance team, Each stakeholder group requires.

Edge Impact has been undertaking climate risk assessments for the last 15 years across a range of sectors and industries. We have one of Australia’s largest and most experienced teams that specialise in climate risk and disclosure.   

Whether through the identification of specialised expertise or upskilling for all directors, the need for climate governance proficiency is undeniable and has been emphasised by professional bodies such as the AICD.

With our in-depth knowledge of reporting standards, whether ISSB, CRSD or ASRS - our readiness assessment process will consider which standards are relevant for your business.


Download the ASRS Readiness Assessment Guide here.

Explore our range of Mandatory Climate-Related Financial Disclosure resources

Contact Mark Siebentritt, our Global Practice Lead for Climate or get in touch here.

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Max leads the ESG & Sustainability Strategy team at Edge. He has nearly 15 years of consulting experience across the government and corporate sectors, specialising in ESG strategy development, sector wide sustainability roadmaps, executive and board capacity building and advisory.

In addition to designing full spectrum sustainability strategies for multiple ASX 100 companies, Max has also led projects with national significance including the National Food Waste Strategy and the Australian Sustainable Events Roadmap.

Max is a graduate of the AICD, community board member of the Australian B Corp movement, and standing co-chair of a number of ESG committees for listed organisations.

Max is the Global Head of Client Experience at Edge Impact, with nearly 15 years of consulting experience across government and corporate sectors. He specialises in ESG strategy, sustainability roadmaps, and executive and board advisory. Max is a graduate of the AICD and a board member for B Corp Australia.

Articles by Max Van Biene