The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) represents a significant expansion of the reporting requirements for companies, covering not only financial, but also environmental and social aspects. In Germany alone, there are almost 15,000 companies, from capital market-oriented micro-enterprises to SMEs and large corporations. You can check whether your company is affected by the reporting obligation with the CSRD instant check.
In view of the complexity and the large number of new requirements, many companies are faced with the challenge that internal resources and specific knowledge are often not sufficient to meet the regulatory requirements of the CSRD or the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) to meet the requirements. In this case, it may make sense to rely on external support from a CSRD consultancy or specialized freelancers.
Why can CSRD advice be useful?
The German version of the ESRS comprises 281 pages, the EFRAG list of ESRS data points contains over 1,100 quantitative and qualitative data points. And then implementing the EU taxonomy as well? It is almost impossible for companies to prepare an auditable CSRD report alongside their day-to-day business. Yes, you read that right. The sustainability report is to be treated in the same way as the financial report and must be audited by an auditor.
In addition to tools such as the data point mapping template, professional CSRD consulting in this context can not only provide support with know-how and manpower to comply with legal requirements, but also help to effectively integrate and implement sustainability strategies.
What is a management consultancy or freelancer?
A management consultancy is a service offered by experienced professionals or companies to support and advise companies in specific areas such as strategy, management, technology or sustainability.
Freelancers are self-employed consultants who offer similar services on an individual basis. Both consulting firms and freelancers use their expertise and experience to develop customized solutions that meet the specific needs and objectives of the company in question.
To what extent can CSRD advice help in fulfilling the reporting obligation?
A CSRD consultancy offers specialized knowledge and practical experience to help companies design and implement their reporting procedures in accordance with the new regulations. Specifically, consultations can provide support on the following topics, among others:
- Sustainability strategy: Consultants help develop a comprehensive strategy that is geared towards sustainability goals and creates long-term corporate values.
- Management and implementation of sustainability initiatives: They provide support in the planning, management and monitoring of initiatives to ensure that they contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives.
- Double materiality analysis: consultants assist with the materiality analysis to determine which sustainability issues are important for both the company and its stakeholders. The CSRD materiality analysis is also a popular strategic tool.
- Data points & GAP analysis: You identify relevant data points (based on the key topics) and analyze which gaps exist in terms of data availability.
- Software selection & implementation: Experts advise on the selection and implementation of CSRD tools that facilitate the management and reporting of sustainability data. The CSRD Software Selection Guide can also be helpful.
- Data collection: Support you in collecting and validating the required data to ensure accurate and compliant reporting.
- Reporting: CSRD consultants help to produce clear, concise and regulatory compliant reports on the company’s sustainability performance.
- Training and capacity building: Provide training for employees to improve understanding and skills for CSRD reporting.
- Stakeholder communication: Support in the development of communication strategies to ensure that sustainability efforts are communicated effectively. Communications agencies may also be able to provide expert support here.
- Risk management: Assistance with the identification and management of risks that may arise from sustainability issues, in particular the double materiality analysis.
These points show how versatile and comprehensive the support of a CSRD consultancy can be to help companies not only comply with regulations, but also to strategically integrate sustainability into their business models.
When and why is CSRD consulting useful?
CSRD consulting is particularly useful if a company feels overwhelmed by the reporting requirements or simply does not have the internal capacity. The use of a consultancy is also recommended if the company wants to ensure that its reports not only comply with legal requirements, but are also strategically aligned with the company’s objectives.
Furthermore, advice can be helpful in times of significant change or during the initial implementation of CSRD guidelines. In the long term, such advice helps companies to become leaders in sustainability, which not only improves their image but can also bring financial and operational benefits.
However, it is important that every company involved in this strategic topic also builds up internal capacities and skills in the long term. This can be done through targeted CSRD training for existing employees or by hiring new experienced talent with CSRD knowledge.
Which CSRD consulting is the best?
Verdantix, an independent research and consulting firm, regularly publishes a detailed market analysis of the best ESG and sustainability consultancies. TheVerdantix Green Quadrant 2024: ESG and Sustainability Consulting is a key assessment tool that helps companies identify the leading players in ESG and sustainability consulting. In this analysis, firms are positioned in a coordinate system based on their capabilities and market momentum.

Verdantix’s evaluation shows that firms such as ERM, BCG and Deloitte are among the leading consultants in this sector, making them excellent options for organizations looking to improve their sustainability strategies or properly implement CSRD. These firms are in the top right quadrant, indicating that they not only have extensive capabilities in sustainability consulting, but also show strong growth and innovation in this area.
It should be noted that the companies evaluated by Verdantix are all very large organizations and do not include niche providers or even freelancers who may be better suited to the needs of some companies.
Categories of CSRD consulting firms
The selection of sustainability consultancies that assist with CSRD is diverse and includes large management consultancies, specialist sustainability consultancies, freelancers and independent consultants. Each of these categories offers different advantages and potential disadvantages, depending on the specific needs of a company.
Large management consultancies
Large management consultancies offer a very broad range of services for a wide variety of industries and issues far beyond the topic of sustainability. These consulting firms have extensive resources and a broad network of experts worldwide. In addition, they often have considerable experience with large and multinational companies.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of large management consultancies
- Extensive experience with regulatory requirements and complex projects
- Broad range of expertise and services, enabling an integrated advisory experience
- Global presence that enables consulting in different geographical regions
Possible disadvantages of large management consultancies
- Often higher costs compared to smaller consultancies or freelancers
- Possibly less personalized services (template approach)
- Partly focused on the creation of PowerPoint slides instead of helping out directly
Examples of large management consultancies
The large consulting firms can be further subdivided into strategy consultancies and “full-service” consultancies:
Strategy consultancies are increasingly expanding their services to include sustainability consulting by offering specialized services to support companies in the development and implementation of CSRD-compliant sustainability strategies and reports.
- McKinsey: As the world’s largest strategy consultancy, McKinsey offers comprehensive sustainability consulting solutions that help companies to combine economic and ecological goals.
- Boston Consulting Group: BCG, known for innovative approaches in management consulting, integrates sustainability deeply into the strategic orientation of its global clients.
- Bain & Company: Bain & Company, a leading consulting firm in strategic planning, emphasizes the creation of sustainable economic value as the core of its consulting services.
The large full-service consultancies are often referred to as the “Big Four”. They offer a wide range of services that go beyond pure strategy consulting, including services in the areas of audit (also relevant for CSRD), tax consulting, risk management, financial consulting and more.
- Deloitte: As the largest of the Big Four consulting firms, Deloitte offers comprehensive CSRD services, supported by a global network of experts.
- PwC: As another member of the Big Four, PwC supports companies not only in complying with sustainability regulations, but also in the strategic implementation of CSRD-compliant processes. PwC also published a CRSD software study in 2023.
- Ernst & Young: As part of the Big Four, EY is committed to promoting transparency and sustainability in corporate reporting, supported by its global presence.
- KPMG: KPMG offers specialized sustainability consulting services aimed at helping companies meet CSRD requirements.
Specialized sustainability consulting
Specialized consulting firms often focus exclusively on sustainability issues and bring in-depth knowledge in specific areas such as the creation of a sustainability strategy or the implementation of CSRD.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of specialized sustainability consultancies
- In-depth expertise in specific areas of sustainability
- Customized solutions for the specific needs and challenges of companies
- Dedicated attention and often a close customer relationship
Possible disadvantages of specialized sustainability consultancies
- More limited resources and reach compared to large consulting firms
- Potential limitations in the variety of services offered
- Where applicable, only local and not global coverage and knowledge
Examples of specialized sustainability consultancies
Specialized sustainability consulting firms offer a slightly different product or service portfolio depending on the company. However, what they all have in common is that their offerings are linked to the topic of sustainability. Examples of specialized consulting firms are as follows:
- envistra: envistra specializes in environmental and sustainability consulting and offers precise solutions to improve the environmental performance of companies.
- fors.earth: The sustainability strategy experts support organizations in strengthening their future viability and driving forward the transition to a sustainable economy and society.
- ERM: A global provider of environmental and sustainability consulting services that supports companies along the entire business life cycle.
- SLR: SLR provides technical and strategic consulting services specifically designed to optimize environmental and sustainability performance in various industries.
- Pulswerk (AT): Pulswerk, based in Austria, focuses on sustainable buildings and energy efficiency, among other things, and helps to promote ecological sustainability in architecture.
- Compass & Spine: A consulting firm specializing in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) offers solutions to help companies integrate CSR into their business models.
Freelancers and independent CSRD consultants
Freelancers and independent consultants offer flexible and often cost-effective consulting services that are particularly suitable for small to medium-sized companies or specific projects. Many freelancers have gained their knowledge and toolset at large or specialized consultancies before taking the step into self-employment.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of freelancers with CSRD specialization
- Cost efficiency and flexibility in the service
- Often hands-on mentality and direct approach instead of designing tons of PowerPoint slides
- High level of personalization and direct communication
- Often fast availability and possible scaling of services as required
Possible disadvantages of freelancers with CSRD specialization
- Limited capacity, which can make handling large or multiple projects difficult
- Variability in experience and quality, depending on the individual consultant
- Where applicable, only local and not global coverage and knowledge
Examples of freelancers with CSRD specialization
Individual CSRD consultants can offer companies individual and targeted support without a great deal of administrative groundwork. Individual consultants often join together in a network or have good contacts in order to be able to manage larger projects.
- Alexander Spahn (CSR Tools): I have worked as a management consultant at Deloitte for over 5 years and support my clients as a certified CSRD consultant in conducting the double materiality analysis, deriving the data points to be reported, reporting and selecting the appropriate ESG software for companies, among other things. I also create tools and templates for reporting. Need support?
- Thorsten Soll: He has been a successful interim manager in the field of finance for 17 years and supports his clients in setting up and optimizing processes, structures and instruments in the commercial area. As a certified sustainability consultant, he has the expertise to provide “hands-on” support to SMEs in the preparation of sustainability reporting.
- Kathrin Jansen (Cambria Consulting): As the founder of Cambria Consulting, she helps people to understand sustainability and supports companies in combining sustainable knowledge with entrepreneurial action. The implementation of the CSRD Directive, the development of sustainability strategies and the establishment of sustainability management are the focus of her consulting services. Kathrin Jansen draws on over 15 years of professional experience in organizations and as a management consultant.
Other consulting firms in the CSRD area
Not all consulting firms fall into the three categories mentioned above. Here are some more consulting firms that support companies in implementing the CSRD reporting obligation:
- Accenture: A leading global consulting firm focused on technology, provides innovative solutions to help organizations worldwide create and achieve their sustainability and ESG goals.
- Metafinanz: A transformation consultancy in the finance and insurance sector supports companies in implementing sustainability strategies.
- Mittelstand | Partners: This consultancy specializing in transformation helps medium-sized companies in Germany to integrate sustainability into their strategy and business processes as part of “self-sustaining” performance management and reporting. The special feature: A CSRD audit by the “Sustainability Auditor IDW” accompanying the preparation of the report provides security in its implementation.
Each of these consulting categories and firms has its specific strengths and areas of application, enabling companies to find the right support according to their size, industry and specific requirements.
We are proud that our Excel template for carrying out the double materiality analysis is used not only by SMEs but also by some of the CSRD consultancies and freelancers mentioned above.
Numerous consultancies and freelancers are currently advertising themselves as CSRD experts, as it is a very lucrative business area with a great need for advice. With such a large number of providers, it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. For companies that have little experience in working with external consultants, this checklist for selecting a CSRD consultancy can be helpful. The overview of CSRD assistance is also a useful collection of resources for the effective implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.