ESG consulting
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are no longer optional—they are essential for long-term success. Businesses are increasingly judged by their ESG performance, which in turn influences everything from investment decisions to customer loyalty. Developing and implementing a robust ESG strategy can be complex, requiring deep experience across various operational areas. This is why RSM's integrated approach—combining sustainability and ESG consulting with specialized business services—is invaluable for middle market companies.
RSM's core offering of ESG and sustainability consulting provides the foundation for a successful ESG journey. We advise on ESG readiness and strategy development, and on how to integrate ESG technology and reporting into corporate decision making to drive positive change and enhance long-term value. RSM provides guidance on sustainability best practices and tailors ESG consulting strategies to your needs. But effective ESG goes beyond high-level strategy; it requires operational excellence across various functions.
That's why we offer a holistic approach, integrating our sustainability and ESG consulting experience with specialized services. We facilitate strong governance, a crucial pillar of ESG, through our Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) compliance services, supporting financial transparency through risk-based controls. This complements our ESG consulting by aligning financial reporting with required ESG disclosures.
What is sustainability consulting?
Sustainability is about building strategies that balance purpose and profit, reducing negative impacts while strengthening long-term business performance. RSM’s sustainability professionals work with leadership teams to assess operations, identify risks and develop practical solutions that support climate and impact goals, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance and stakeholder expectations while driving return on investment. We help companies translate often ambitious goals into actionable steps, embedding sustainability into the organization’s culture, operations and long-term strategy.
What is ESG consulting?
ESG consulting services include conducting materiality assessments, developing reporting and disclosure strategies, designing governance structures, and creating metrics that investors and regulators can trust. Rather than treating these functions strictly as compliance exercises, our ESG professionals help company leaders create strategic levers to enhance valuation, strengthen reputation and build long-term resilience. We assess current practices, identify material risks and opportunities, and develop a roadmap that aligns ESG priorities with overall business goals, while creating both voluntary and required audit-ready disclosures.
Why organizations need sustainability and ESG consulting
Organizations turn to sustainability and ESG consultants to meet growing regulatory and investor demands and capture new opportunities. Sustainable practices often lead to greater efficiency, cost savings and brand loyalty, while positioning the company as a leader in its industry.
Sustainability and ESG consultants offer you the following benefits:
- Specialized knowledge: Experience with ESG and sustainability trends, tools, proven practices and changing regulatory landscapes
- Strategic development: Creation and implementation of effective ESG and sustainability approaches, aligning them with your overall business goals and market conditions
- Enhanced stakeholder engagement: Effective communication of ESG and sustainability efforts to stakeholders, building trust and enhancing your organization’s reputation
Consultants also apply specialized knowledge to enhance critical functions within your organization, such as the following:
- Operations: Integration of ESG and sustainability principles into business operations, improving efficiency and long-term performance
- Compliance and reporting: Guidance on various technology and reporting frameworks and regulations, supporting transparency, accountability and auditability
- Risk management: Deep analysis and tailored solutions that identify challenges and opportunities
- Supply chain: Optimization of your supply chain’s efficiency and resilience while addressing key considerations like third-party risk management, responsible sourcing and environmental impact
How RSM can help
RSM Catamaran, our suite of integrated outsourced solutions, provides experienced ESG professionals to manage your complex reporting challenges, with the goal of keeping your business agile amid evolving ESG demands and market dynamics. We leverage our deep sustainability and ESG consulting experience and specialized operational services to help you achieve sustainable growth and create lasting value.
Sustainability and ESG consulting
We can help align your ESG strategy to your firm’s overall business strategy, to keep you competitive and prepared for future due diligence. This alignment also positions your company to attract talent and stay compliant with evolving sustainability regulations. Our services help clients reach their ESG goals and include the following:
We designed our ESG Rapid Assessment to meet you where you are in your environmental, social and governance (ESG) journey. This assessment can help you formalize and align your ESG mandate with corporate values and strengthen your stakeholder engagement strategy. It can also help define your current-state capabilities to track and report ESG information using relevant frameworks like The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).
Creating an ESG report can be daunting. The process may require additional support to ensure proper alignment to a recognized sustainability reporting framework such as TCFD, GRI or SASB. We have experience developing these reports for organizations of all sizes, industries and ESG maturity levels.
RSM helps your company navigate your greenhouse gas journey, leveraging industry-leading practices, guidance and frameworks like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to develop robust Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions inventories. We also prepare for disclosure and audit. RSM can create strategies for your global climate goals and align them to external organizations like Science Based Targets Initiatives or the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Not all companies are ready to hire a full-time chief sustainability officer (CSO), but they can still benefit from a CSO’s knowledge and skills. Our ESG program development and CSO outsourcing services leverage our experienced professionals to guide your ESG function, allowing you to achieve your goals and helping your team stay focused on core business activities.
Technology can improve or introduce new capabilities, like ESG data management platforms or sustainability performance management systems. Technology can also free up capacity and accelerate the integration of ESG into your operational processes. With ESG, however, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. RSM takes a provider-agnostic approach to determine the most value-accretive and fit-for-purpose ESG technology solutions for your organization. The examples below are not an exhaustive list, but solutions can include the following:
- AuditBoard
- Microsoft Sustainability Manager/Cloud for Sustainability
- ESG reporting for NetSuite
- Workiva
- ServiceNow ESG
- Equifax
Our methodology is founded on a risk-based, top-down philosophy. When SOX compliance efforts are focused on the areas of most significant risk of material misstatement of the financials, the benefits can include the following:
- A more efficient control environment in terms of the execution and assessment of those controls
- Improved effectiveness of controls in preventing and detecting material misstatements
- A reduced independent external auditor effort and lower related fees
We take an implementation-focused approach that addresses your bottom line, working capital and risk mitigation. The goal is to strengthen every link in your supply chain, creating a more efficient and resilient system. Our consultants focus on key operational levers and innovative models to identify and close gaps, solidify interdependencies, and modernize processes. A comprehensive analysis of your supply chain looks at the following vital components:
- Strategic sourcing and procurement
- Logistics and distribution
- Manufacturing and operations
- Warehousing and order fulfillment
- Inventory issues
- Sales and operations planning
- Network optimization
- E-commerce issues
- Third-party logistics
- Supply chain planning and risk
- Freight issues
Our actuarial services practice is distinguished by our adeptness at unraveling and resolving intricate business challenges. By harnessing robust risk management tools and drawing upon our extensive experience in the complexities of the property and casualty insurance, life insurance, and employee benefits sectors, we tailor our solutions to the specific challenges confronting your organization so you can respond with agility.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a European Union directive that replaces the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) as the standard for ESG reporting in the EU. It is part of the commitment the EU made under the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Finance Action Plan. The CSRD has undergone significant revisions in 2025 under the EU’s “Omnibus” simplification package narrowing the scope of mandatory reporting and delaying the implementation timeline.
RSM Catamaran delivers knowledgeable, experienced professionals to handle your most complex operations, keeping your business modernized and efficient. Through this premium service, you can tap into strategic business leaders in industries like life sciences, financial services, technology and media, nonprofit, and consumer products who dynamically adapt with you. We also scale to take on more as your business grows and your needs change.
ESG plays an increasingly important part in mergers and acquisitions–not only in terms of successfully completing transactions, but also in a business’s valuation and its perceived long-term potential.
Robust ESG due diligence is now a fundamental part of the deal process, and the risk management approach of private equity funds or potential acquirers. Similarly, to protect your future wealth and ensure that you receive the best price for your business, you will want to be able to provide the necessary information at the earliest opportunity. Our ESG specialists and our transactions team can assist before and during the transaction process by:
- Providing reports on your organization’s ESG performance
- Producing benchmarking information on policies and processes across each element of ESG
- Sharing insight into the evolution of ESG trends that are likely to affect your business’s operations and value
- Working with you to decide on the best valuation of your business
California’s Senate Bill 253 remains the most expansive climate disclosure law in the United States, requiring large companies doing business in California to publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions.
An industry-focused approach to sustainability and ESG
Deep industry knowledge and experience are essential when evaluating an organization’s operating model. At RSM, we leverage the strength of our firm to deliver the right balance of functional, technical and industry insight. We take an enterprise approach with an industry focus when shaping your vision and strategy. With this strategy, we’re able to define leading-edge solutions that deliver meaningful insights and value, allowing you to unlock solutions to industry, business, technical and economic challenges.
Sustainability and ESG related services
Tax
As companies develop their ESG profiles, they often find that ESG and sustainability outcomes align with broader business objectives. Tax benefits can connect business growth with positive ESG outcomes.
Our ESG tax professionals can help you align your ESG and growth goals with tailored strategies. With a presence in over 120 countries, we offer global resources and local specialization to support your sustainability strategy and create long-term value for your stakeholders.
Assurance
As stakeholder demand for ESG information has intensified, business responsibility has become imperative, driven by increased scrutiny and regulation. Verified data by independent assurance specialists strengthens credibility and supports strategic decision-making, while avoiding fines and reputational damage.
RSM understands how companies align with societal and regulatory shifts toward sustainability and accountability.