The practical guide for UK mid-sized businesses navigating carbon, compliance and climate credibility.

Sustainability is moving from a side project to a central pillar of business strategy. At the heart of that shift is the transition to Net Zero.

More and more businesses are being asked, "What’s your carbon footprint?" or "Are you aligned with net zero targets?" Whether from regulators, investors, customers or internal stakeholders, these questions are increasingly tied to access to markets, capital and long-term competitiveness.

For mid-sized UK businesses, the challenge is real. You may not have a dedicated Chief Sustainability Officer or internal Sustainability Analyst but you may be facing growing pressure to act but limited in-house expertise. Hiring the right Net Zero Consultant can unlock progress – but only if you choose well.

This guide walks you through what to look for, where to find the right expert, and how to ensure your investment delivers results.

Define what net zero means in your context

Before you begin the hiring process, it’s essential to get clarity internally. The term “net zero” gets used in many different ways, and its scope can vary significantly depending on your industry, size and level of ambition.

Ask yourself:

• Are we looking to understand our carbon footprint across Scopes 1, 2 and 3?
• Do we need to set a science-based target through SBTi?
• Are we pursuing external verification, such as PAS 2060 or ISO 14068?
• Is this a compliance-led initiative or part of a broader strategic pivot?
• What is the timeframe and resourcing available?

You don’t need all the answers up front. But a solid internal brief – even if rough – will help you filter consultants based on relevance, methodology and fit.

Understand what a net zero consultant actually does

Net zero is not a generic sustainability service. It is a technical discipline involving carbon accounting, target setting, decarbonisation modelling and strategy design. A good Climate Consultant or ESG Consultant should be able to:

• Quantify your carbon footprint using recognised standards such as the GHG Protocol
• Build a reduction roadmap aligned with science-based targets
• Model emissions trajectories across operational and value chain activities
• Identify hotspots in your supply chain or processes
• Advise on credible offsetting or removals for residual emissions
• Guide external communications and investor disclosures
• Ensure alignment with frameworks like SBTi, PAS 2060, ISO14068 or TCFD

Be cautious of generalist advisors offering net zero services without demonstrable experience.

Key qualities to look for

Relevant technical expertise

• Experience delivering full carbon footprints, especially including Scope 3
• Familiarity with lifecycle analysis (LCA), emissions factors and data modelling
• Ability to translate complex data into executive-ready outputs
• Understanding of standards such as SBTi, GHG Protocol, PAS 2060

A credible Sustainability Consultant will be able to show outcomes: carbon reductions, target submissions, certification completions or published disclosures.

Sector-specific knowledge

Net zero looks different in manufacturing than in software. A good consultant should understand the emissions drivers, reporting obligations and decarbonisation levers relevant to your industry.

• In FMCG, the challenge is often Scope 3 supplier engagement
• In logistics, it might be fleet transition and route optimisation
• In construction, the focus could be embodied carbon and biodiversity offsetting

Up-to-date regulatory knowledge

Your consultant should be able to advise on both current and upcoming requirements, including:

• SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting)
• ESOS Phase 3 (mandatory energy audits)
• CSRD and ISSB standards for sustainability disclosure
• UK net zero strategy alignment and public procurement thresholds
• Offsetting policy, removals standards and voluntary carbon markets

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Technical accuracy is essential, but so is the ability to make a compelling business case. Look for someone who can:

• Translate emissions data into commercial risk and opportunity
• Articulate a costed roadmap and return on investment
• Navigate internal stakeholders without overcomplicating the message

Cost versus value: what you should expect to pay

Pricing for net zero consultants varies based on experience, scope and complexity:

• Mid-level consultants typically charge £500 to £800 per day
• Senior specialists may charge £1,000 or more per day
• Project-based fees for full net zero strategies range from £5,000 to £20,000

Value is more important than price. A £12,000 project that saves your business £50,000 in energy, unlocks a major tender opportunity or prevents a costly reporting error pays for itself many times over.

You’re not buying time. You’re buying clarity, compliance and capability.

Know where to look

Some of the best consultants don’t show up in Google searches. Here are more reliable options:

Specialist platforms
Platforms like Leafr connect you with vetted consultants in carbon, climate and sustainability strategy. Every expert is screened for experience, references and domain knowledge. This saves you time and de-risks the process.

Professional associations
IEMA, the Carbon Trust and SBTi partner directories list qualified consultants by expertise.

Referrals from adjacent partners
Law firms, ESG data providers or your auditors often know reliable consultants.

Thought leaders and webinars
Consultants who write or speak publicly tend to be more current in their thinking.

Questions that separate the good from the average

• Can you share a case study where you built a net zero roadmap for a company like ours?
• What tools or models do you use to assess Scope 3 when data quality is poor?
• Have you worked with clients submitting to SBTi ?
• What is your approach to offsetting and removals, and how do you ensure integrity?
• How do you keep your knowledge current on regulations and methodologies?
• How do you communicate technical findings to non-technical stakeholders?

Look for structured, confident answers. Bonus points if they discuss real-world challenges and how they solved them.

Think about fit and flexibility

Beyond credentials, you need a consultant who fits how you work. Consider:

• Availability: Can they work to your timelines?
• Working style: Do they collaborate or just deliver a report?
• Location: Are they UK-based or familiar with local regulation?
• Flexibility: Can they adjust scope if your needs evolve?

The best consultants bring expertise while recognising your business realities.

The right consultant will unlock momentum

Finding the right net zero consultant is not about buying a report. It’s about accelerating your transition to a low-carbon future, in a way that is commercially credible, scientifically sound and practically achievable.

Whether your goal is to reduce emissions, meet disclosure requirements, attract investors or win tenders, the right expert can make a measurable difference. They will bring clarity to complexity and structure to ambiguity.

Leafr helps businesses like yours find those people. Consultants who combine deep carbon knowledge with the communication and flexibility needed to deliver results.

Looking for a net zero consultant who fits your needs?
Leafr connects you with vetted experts in carbon accounting, SBTi, PAS 2060 and beyond.
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