In 2024, the global green economy reached a market capitalisation of $7.2 trillion, earning it its place as the second-best performing industry demographic in the past decade (LSEG, 2024).

Over the last 5-10 years, roles in sustainability have come under immense global demand as the marketplace becomes more competitive and sustainability becomes embedded at the heart of modern economies.

My Journey to Consultancy
I started my career in construction – an industry that contributes around 39% of global emissions, where steel and concrete are still king, and long supply chains contribute upwards of 80% of a business’s overall impact.

For the first six years, I worked as a design engineer, detailing the steel and concrete in parts of UK buildings and infrastructure on 3D software, eventually leading the team that designed the concrete on the Google HQ in London. I later moved into a role supporting business leaders and the board with developing sustainability strategies and setting targets by using my understanding of the business and how construction operates.

During that time, I was fortunate to broaden my appreciation of sustainability by supporting other key areas in the sustainability ecosystem such as social value, biodiversity, waste management, governance, data, disclosure, and circular economy practices. Eventually, my background and the business’s impact profile meant that I naturally gravitated into a specialist role in construction carbon management, focused on reducing concrete, steel and energy use through whole-life impact measurement and optioneering.

Outside my primary work, I also took up pro-bono work for Amalou Marketing – my wife’s sole trading marketing firm – where I recognised that supply chains that most sustainability-conscious businesses were relying on consisted of small businesses with no capacity to participate.

Lessons from Tier 1 corporates that have shaped my approach to sustainability consulting
In the corporate world, sustainability consultancy often comes with a hefty price tag. Large businesses frequently bring in big-name consultants, where sustainability services can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, delivered through overly contractual arrangements and a swarm of overworked graduate teams.

This, paired with the disproportionate number of small businesses that cannot afford this help meant that there was a clear gap in the global growth puzzle. I realised that to truly drive global progress, sustainability needs to be accessible to businesses of every size — not just those with deep pockets.

Small businesses for small businesses – How RA Sustainability is expanding access
When I set up RA, I wanted to build my model purpose-up – one that was scalable, affordable and – dare I say it – disruptive in its simplicity.

Our services start from as little as $65, offering professional guidance designed to help small businesses participate and compete in today’s fast-evolving economy. The idea is simple: cut through the noise and get straight to work.

To keep delivery personal and impactful, RA offers three core services:

1. Data – automation and dashboarding solutions
2. Strategic advisory – from 30-minute consultations to full strategy development
3. Carbon management services – guidance for project teams to set and achieve their approach and targets.

These services help small businesses to build their foundations by building the structure, setting the culture, and mobilising technical expertise to drive positive impact.

I have always believed that there is no such thing as a ‘net zero skill’ – making change starts with all of us doing what we already do well with a deeper awareness of the impact that our decisions have on people and the planet.

In the first five months of operating, RA has engaged with a diverse mix of clients, from large public sector defence and construction bodies to small private sector service industries. The first step for all these groups has been to understand their impact hotspots; both positive and negative and reinforce both to drive sustainable outcomes.

Why participating meaningfully is not just a compliance issue, but an existential business one
Climate change is very real and having a position on sustainability isn’t something businesses can afford to put on the backburner anymore. What was once an edgy “nice to have” is now essential for staying competitive in today’s economy – and even more so in the future.

Across the board, clients are demanding it. Investors are prioritizing it. Governments are regulating it. And customers are making decisions based on it. Society is more willing than ever to walk away from offerings that misalign with their values.

Risks to businesses can be diverse and multi-fold – lost contracts, rising costs, damaged reputation, and a shrinking pool of opportunities. With many major players marking milestone targets in 2030, the impacts of inaction will likely be felt sooner than some firms might expect.

2030 is only five years (or 20 trading quarters) away and as with everything that involves fundamental change, the earlier the better. Businesses that act now can start developing their plans to align with their clients in advance of their expectations and gain maturity as the economy approaches the more prevalent 2050 net zero goal.

This focus will also open new efficiencies, new markets, more robust branding, and becoming the kind of organisation that people want to work with (and work for).

Sustainability isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about future-proofing your business, staying competitive in a world that’s changing fast, showing leadership when it matters most and making sure you’re not left behind.

Even the smallest step counts towards becoming tomorrow’s leaders.